Favorite Era

Jim,

This is the article I've been waiting for.....any 10 - 12 wheeler of the modern steam era.

Thanks again for the enthusiasm you bring to model RR publishing! Keep up the great work!

Ron Pope

Nice coverage of a time

Nice coverage of a time period Jim. These articles will also be of use to a free-lancer as well as it can be a real aid into developing a roster of suitable locomotives for a given time period.

Even if the ready to unbox models for a specific prototype are not available one could take one of the proper wheel type models and detail it to more closely match a different prototype. Years ago that was the only option for most of us wanting to put together a fleet of steamers.

There were earlier engine options

 I had a fascination with the NYC in the early 80's (1980's) when the models available were a bit different. The Bowser K-11 offered a lot of options for building a K class pacific, if you were willing to work with zanac. The boiler shell could be the start of a decent H-5 mikado. The cab would move any 2-8-0 closer to a G-5.

 And I shudder at the work needed to bring them up to acceptable levels of detail, although some achieved it.

Ron, In the months ahead look

Ron,

In the months ahead look for a lot more on 4-4-0 and 4-6-0 locomotives. Next month I will address the USRA 2-8-2 steam locomotives. All of my reviews of the prototypes will include suggestions for modeling them. I am finding that modeling steam is much easier than I had ever thought.

Thanks for your kind words,

Jim Six

Rob in Texas

Hi Rob. I hope you have electricity and drinkable water! Y'all Texans have been in my thoughts and prayers.

In the months ahead you will see a lot of what I have learned and continue to learn. Turns out that modeling steam is a lost easier that most railroad modeler think it is. The months ahead will bring a lot of good news for anyone interested in the possibility of modeling during the steam era!

Jim Six

LensCapOn

The Bowser was a fairly good model for modeling an NYC early K-class 4-6-2 and and as you point out, it is a good place to start modeling an NYC H5-class Mikado. I thought long and hard about doing just that but in the end I acquired an Overland brass H5. As pictured here it still needs a lot of work. More on that in a future column.

Jim

Brass IS the better option, if you can find it:

For something as specific as steam locomotives, if you can find brass in your budget it's always the better option.

I know none of the specifics of upgrading older mechanisms but understand some brands were solid and straightforward where a can motor with flywheel might be all that's need. Other brands could be complex and fragile where a near complete rebuild would be needed, with a chance of damaging details. Strangle, upgrading the details seems less intimidating.

I'll wait for you to provide more on that in a future column.

Am enjoying your series of articles.

LensCapOn

My problem is that I would like to have two or three H5 Mikes, but will have to settle for the one I have because I am not willing to spend the money to have more brass versions.

What we really need is to convince Broadway Limited or Bachmann to produce the NYC H5 Mikado. The Nickel Plate had a good many of them too as did a few other RRs.

My March column will address USRA Mikados of all railroads that had them. It should help a lot of modelers who may be interested in steam power. But, . . . we still need the H5 and many other steamers.

Take care,

Jim

3D Printing might be the answer.

When you get into something as specific as steam loco variants a 3-D printed boiler shell and cab to fit an existing mechanism might be our best bet. I have seen some impressive work done and it seems to make sense for a market that MIGHT reach "dozens". (Do you know someone to do the CAD part?)

 But I'm still waiting for someone to do a Super-Seven in N! (A Dash 8-32B would work...)

May I ask,  the Trix usra light mike is almost impossible to find but I have been offered an Athearn Genesis version.

How bad/good is it, is there any mileage in buying it to upgrade it?

Tim

May I ask,  the Trix usra light mike is almost impossible to find but I have been offered an Athearn Genesis version. How bad/good is it, is there any mileage in buying it to upgrade it?"

The Athearn USRA Mike is a good-looking model but does not run all that well and being light in the front does not track well either. The Broadway Limited USRA Mike is a good model that runs well. It is DCC/sound equipped. Still, my favorite are the Trix Mikes.

Tim