PRR brass- thanks to Bill Brisko

Is Bill the guy that made stacks and air tanks for the 3rd Rail/Sunset Decs? 

How much of a chore was it to change out that stack on a diecast engine like that? 

Hi Norm,

I'm not sure if he makes stacks for others or not.  I tried finding his site again quickly, but in the short time, I couldn't find anything.

I had to use a Dremel to get things flush, but because I'm not a pro modeler, I used JB Weld to secure it on the boiler along with a small level.  The hole for the smoke unit remained b/c I didn't want to make any "under the hood" modifications.  From a distance, I 'm pleased.  I made my own weathering look to the boiler front area with Neolube and chalk.  

Norm - Steve Grabowski is the guy that offered correct diameter I1 air tank kits.  The tanks were solid brass turnings and came with top and bottom lost brass mounting brackets, an etched brass platform, and formed angle to trim the platform edges.  Unfortunately due to a drawing dimensional error in Kalmbachs Steam Locomotive Cyclopedia, virtually all O scale PRR I1 models imported to date  (MG, USH, Sunset, MTH) have undersized front air tanks.   Below is a photo of two Sunset I1's.  The one on the left is stock, the one on the right was upgraded by Ray Jury using Grabowski air tanks, PSC bell, Cal Scale markers, and numerous other fittings.  I have a Grabowski air tank kit (and Brisko stacks) -  hopefully someday I'll get around to installing them. 

Wow, what an improvement!  I had a Sunset (3rd Rail) Decapod several years back.  I eventually sold it-- the styling just didn't do it for me.  With this mod, now that's a happy hippo!!

Suggestion: For those looking to improve the appearance of PRR O scale steam locomotives (brass or diecast) one of the easiest upgrades to consider is replacing the bell with one that follows PRR practice.   Fortunately the PRR interchangeably used the same bell on many classes of power, including class C, E6, G5, H8/9/10, I, K, L, M locomotives,   For these classes I recommend PSC part 4201 PSC PRR bell.  For classes  A and B switchers Class A and B switchers consider PSC part 40114.  

Here is the link to Bill Brisko's Pacific Locomotive Works.  He  lists stacks, sand domes, and driver centers for I1's and other classes of PRR power. http://pacificlocomotive.com/  I haven't ordered anything lately so I don't know how current the listing is.

Ed, thanks for the info!

Large Hippo tanks!  Now I have to look at the old Scale Craft!