This ugly duckling came to me gratis (along with some other locos) with no boiler front, most of the side rods missing, smoke unit corroded beyond repair and in a generally decrepit condition. So! Let's look at the transformation, shall we? Alas, I neglected to take a happy snap of the loco when it arrived, as it was too depressing...
With side rods and boiler front installed, but otherwise still rough looking:
Dismantled and ready for prep and painting:
One nice thing about the single life: I can run engine shells through the dishwasher and nobody objects. ;-)
I've found Valspar Satin Finish spray paint to work quite nicely for tinplate locomotives and tenders.
New smoke unit from Olsen's Toy Trains installed:
I chucked the aluminum bell in a drill and polished it with a Sandflex fine grit block:
Upper shell assembled and ready for the motor! Don't that bell look nice? Also polished the handrails with the block.
On the test track, smoking up a storm! :-D
Norma Bates Kitteh, shop supervisor (also known as "Inspected By Number 12") drops by to make sure everything is progressing properly:
The assembled consist, ready for decals:
Decaling is like riding a bike. Even if it's been 20 years or more, you never really forget:
And the completed consist! Contrast and compare:
Not 100% thrilled with the tender decals; I'm probably going to redo them in future with a more prototypical set. Still, 'twill do for now... :-D
Another before and after comparo:
All in all, not bad for a free locomotive and about $50 in parts and paint! ;-)
Mitch
