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Roundhouse Climax build Journals/Blogs
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Prolific poster 1,660 posts IrishRover Prolific poster 1,660 posts
IrishRover

I have a couple of the old Roundhouse Climax shells, and one (or perhaps two) are going to get mated to a Bachmann 44 tonner DCC Chassis.

The top pic is my starting materials…both got cheap at one point or other—total materials cost at this point, about $35 or so.  The lower one is progress so far.  (I know the pics aren't good--just a snapshot to show where I am.)

ild%2001.jpg 

So far, I’ve cut off the fuel bunker with a hobby knife, and filed off the molded on ladder at the back.  I also removed the molded on handrails at the doors.  I formed new handrails from brass, and heated them with my soldering iron, so they could just be pushed into place.

Future plans involve building a new wood rack out of brass and strip wood, and a new ladder at the back.  The wood load will be twigs, split for easy burning.  Before that, the loco will need painting, and I’m not sure how I’m going to make the wooden parts of the loco look right.  (I also need to decide if this is a working locomotive, or one that hauls tourist trains along the scenic heights on the club layout.)

If I like the way she comes out, a sound decoder might be in her future; for now, the basic one that comes with the Bachmann loco will do the trick.
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Tim Latham Regular poster 491 posts
Tim Latham

Watching

I'm getting ready to do the same built so I will be watching.

Tim

Tim Latham

Mississippi Central R.R. "The Natchez Route"

HO Scale 1905 to 1935

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/timlatham

 
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Geared Steam Frequent poster 634 posts
Geared Steam

Rub burnt sienna on the wooden portions and wipe off....

until you get the color you desire.

-Deano the Nerd

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

[two_truckin_sig_zps05ee1ff6%2B%25281%2529]
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IrishRover Prolific poster 1,660 posts
IrishRover

Burnt Sienna?

That looks promising--what paint brand is this?

Progress will likely be slow, as i have several projects in progress.
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IrishRover Prolific poster 1,660 posts
IrishRover

A bit more progress...

I added handrails along the boiler.  I used Detail Assocoates eyebolts in the holes in the boiler provided for stanchions, with brass rod pushed through.  I tried glueing the eyebolts in place and pushing the rod through--didn't work.  It's much better (in that it actually works!) to slide the eyebolts onto the brass wire that will be used for the handrail, THEN glue the eyebolts into place.

I regretted removing the vertical extensions to the bunker, so I made new ones; this loco will have steel sides, but her sister might keep the wooden extensions.  I'll be adding Archer rivets another day.  (Note with Archer rivets--they are MUCH easier to use when the surface they're being applied to is a different could from the rivets!)

I still need to add a ladder, and a way to fill the water tank..

ild%2002.JPG I'm thinking that she's going to be a coal burner, since my Bachmann Shay is also a coal burnder.
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Boxcab Lover New member 18 posts
Boxcab Lover

Roundhouse Climax.

I wanted to post this a few times. Good luck w/your project. I used a Bachmann 44tonner a few years ago,and a Roundhouse boxcab diesel to make a boxcab electric. It worked out pretty well. My biggest problem was finding pantographs. Also back then,i was able to contact the MDC office and order extra parts. I don't know if you can do that these days,since Athearn took them over.Anyway,good luck,and i'll try to keep up to date w/your progress......John.
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Virginian and Lake Erie Super User 9,231 posts
Virginian and Lake Erie

This book would be handy if you can find a copy

It was written by one of the members of my Railroad Club ETMRC. Ron passed away this spring but if you follow his methods the locomotives run smooth and quiet. Many have described them as running like a watch. It might take some work to find it online but I believe you will be glad you did.

Rob in Texas

MRH Blog / Prep for an Operating Session / Delving Into the Past / The Club Blog / Youtube / etmrc.org
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Jeff G. Regular poster 133 posts
Jeff G.

Check the December '82 MR

There is an in-depth article from Model Railroader about modifying the old MDC Climax:

December '82 - A Touch of Realism for MDC's Climax, by Gregory Keutzer

Also ​in the same issue is a photo of the same model beautifully detailed and painted by John Olson for the Jerome & Southwestern series. 

Look forward to seeing how your project turns out.
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