Model Train Journal

So I have been messing with this one for a while - All Nation boiler casting, Lobaugh Pacific frame and cylinders, Lobaugh Berk tender - Pittman/NWSL. Ugly, but it runs really well. I have, since this photo, shortened the pilot, added pilot ladders, and added an ash pan. I also cleaned up that sand dome modification a bit. The other side of the tender says "Burlington" but CB&Q never had a USRA Light Pacific, near as I can tell.

Lots of railroads did, of course, but so far I have not seen a photo of one with Box Pok drivers. Heavy Pacifics had them - B&O had the standard pattern, and Erie, CNW, and C&O had the pattern with giant holes.

It really doesn't make much difference to me - this one is a "beater." just designed to use up some parts I have laying around - but I could be convinced to re-do a small part of it to match some sort of prototype.

Beautiful! I thought the Lobaugh Pacific had alligator crossheads? The apparent Laird crossheads makes one think of ATSF.

It did indeed. It also came with spoked drivers, which would make choices as to road name lots easier. I forget why I used Dean crossheads - maybe it was for my Scale Craft Mike project?

The SC Mike goes right on this mechanism - same bolts, etc. I stretched a SC Mike boiler,and that one fits both a 2-10-2 and a 4-8-2 mechanism - four different locomotives out of two cast boilers.

I was always a teeny bit worried that the2-10-2 did not have enough boiler bulge behind the first sand dome. Just this month I discovered that ATSF had two different boilers for the modern 2-10-2 fleet. Getting the Monte Vista photo books as soon asI can remember to call Karen.

Wait until you see the tenders for this fleet!

Bob,
Are you referring to the class 900 2-10-2? No one has ever done that one in O scale. If you need drawings, I have the Ellington book on ATSF locomotive drawings. I can make a copy for you. Perhaps I can finally return a favor.
Rob

No - I think it is the 3800 class, and specifically those above 3850. The reason I checked last month is that the mechanic working on the 450 Stearman mentioned that he had a builder's plate for 3841, and I dug into the only ATSF 2-10-2 photo book I had, and then into the Worley book on Santa Fe Steam.

In the past, half the photos I studied had mild tapers in the boiler, the others had a fairly abrupt swelling under the second sand dome. I always thought it was because of the angle of the photos, not realizing that there were actually different boilers in the 3800 class.

So now I feel better about my 2-10-2.

The following photos have not been posted here since the purge (requiring a host for photo addresses) so I am guessing that if you have seen them, you have long since forgotten.

First, the Pacific:

Sorry about the tender truck - I could fix it with my newly in-gauge track board, but I am as usual headed to the airport.

Here is my version of the Scale Craft Mikado - modified where I thought necessary, like in the main frame and tender. The original Scale Craft tender will never darken my door. As you know, I am not a purist - I just like models. The tender shown is off of an early Mallet, and was applied to only a couple Mikados after the Mallets were cut up. Yes, ATSF used Pullman trucks under their tenders.

Bob,
That Mike looks great. Yep I am aware of some of the unusual tenders of the ATSF with Pullman truck. That tender also looks very nice.
Rob

Here are the stretch boiler versions - I think if another boiler jumped into my hands the Pacific mechanism would be permanently ATSF, and if a fourth boiler appeared I would have to add mains and valve gear to the Mountain. Oh - and build a more conventional appearing six axle ATSF tender.

Note the boiler taper, and then compare with 3850 photos.



And the Mountain (same boiler):

The larger tender is a Max Gray - but the one behind the Pacific is a scratchbuilt on Max trucks. I missed a pair of Lobaugh trucks that look like they would fit. Forgot to bid that week.

Its amazing how far you can go with a Scale Craft mikado,and a few modifications

All these renditions of a Scalecraft Mike body look fantastic even unpainted. How in the world did you stretch the body? Bronze pipe? Where did you get the Dean crossheads? Your pics are always inspiring.