Does anyone know if these engines have interchangeable shells? I'd like to convert my WBB Chessie Hudson to a Berk and wondered if I could simply swap shells.
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I doubt you can interchange the shells. Hudsons are 4-6-4's and Berkshires are 2-8-4's. Berkshire shells would be a little longer.
Actually the exterior of the shells are the same. Both based on the 726 and 2046 post war engines which had the same exterior. The mounts were different though. Not sure if the Williams are different as well.
Pete
rrvics posted:I doubt you can interchange the shells. Hudsons are 4-6-4's and Berkshires are 2-8-4's. Berkshire shells would be a little longer.
Do you know that for sure? It sounds correct in theory because the 2-8-4 is a longer engine in the real world.
But, in looking at them, it appears to me that WBB uses the exact same boiler (shell) for its 2-8-4s and its O27 4-6-4s. The only difference appears to be the paint job and numbering. Hoping someone who owns both can weigh in.
I'd like to know this myself. I have the B&O "J" and would like to convert it to the proper 4-6-2 Pacific.
