Great Article

I really enjoyed this restoration and upgrade article on #42. I have several Mantua Pacifics and Mikados and I love working on them - adding detail and upgrading motor/gearing. The Berkshire  style sand dome was an interesting detail add for #42 as I had never noticed that on any Mikado in the past.  It's really neat that there are no blind drivers like the original Mantua  and the author has a big radius layout to run #42. I do wish there had been more discussion on the gearbox upgrade. There was a photo of parts at the beginning of the article that made me think it was a Mellor gearbox but the description said NWSL. Many thanks to MRH and the author for this great article that takes me back to the kit bashing  days of the 1960s. 

Great Article

Thank you so much for the nice comments, Steve! I'm glad you enjoyed the article.

Yes, that is a Mellor worm gear cover in the photo. I'm not sure of the NWSL gearbox, but it's probably the same one I used in another Mantua Mike with a Cary Light USRA boiler, part #1436. It's a 28:1 ratio on an 1/8" axle. I don't recall having to do a lot of filing on the frame and cover plate to get it to fit. My original comment that I didn't use the Mellor got dropped.

I like fixing up these old diecast locos, too. I redid a Tyco 0-6-0 and MDC/Roundhouse 0-6-0 to resemble the GD #12. My biggest challenge, that I set aside, is an old circa 1962 Athearn B&M 4-6-2. I replaced the drivers with Mantua/Tyco 4-6-2 drivers, NWSL gearbox and can motor. I just have a (hopefully) minor issue with the piston slide bar. I have Roundhouse HOn3 outside frame 2-8-0 kit that should be a fun build, too ... new gearing ... can motor .. sound. It never end does it?!

Thanks again,

Tom

Unique Excellence

Craftsmanship modeling achieves something unique, more gratifying than ready made perfection.  It's a process that takes patience, but it's fun for some.  It's more satisfying to develop a nice looking model than win a contest !