Model Train Journal

So for about six days I became enamored with the CNW "H" class Northerns. Most of our forumites know that I have my share of CNW Berkshires, chosen only because Lobaugh made so many of them, and because they could be modified for SP and MoPac (probably among others).

Part of that was a boiler I sort of fixed for Carey - it was probably .010 brass, held together with boiler bands, and on a perfectly marvelous mechanism, albeit 3-rail and missing about four flanges.

Last weekend I visited Maroon in Dallas, and he pulled out an "ATA" version of the "H," superdetailed by Alf Modine. That one got me! I figured I could do almost that good, and anyway it was a massive locomotive with some very distinctive features. So I hinted for a possible trade with Carey - I could build a boiler, using everything possibly usable from his brass foil boiler, bolted to that gorgeous frame, which would need insulation and flanges.

Without getting too carried away, Carey sort of bursted my bubble - turns out his is a 1/4" scale version done by SMR, and the Maroon/Modine model is an ATA in 17/64. As most know, I spend most of my efforts in 17/64, so I may have had the dampers applied to this particular lust.

But photos are coming! Carey sent me several, which I shall dutifully stick in Shutterfly for your entertainment, and Maroon promises some good shots of the Modine version as soon as he recovers from the Tulsa meet.

So, more later. But herewith, a re-print of the Lobaugh:

Once Carey educated me my ardor for these things cooled considerably - Carey's boiler is part of an SMR 1/4" scale version. I have copied Carey's photos and will present them here in a minute or two. I looked around and found I have a couple projects of far more interest, including a Lobaugh frame that would make a nice base for a Reading T1. I am also a Mercedes fan, and may someday have to correct a Williams Class A, just to prove I can do it. And I do have a mild interest in the N&W 2-6-6-2, and the Chinese QJ.

Standby . . .

Here is the ATA:



Note the lead and trailing truck - and the distinctive outside frame over the trailing truck. I understand it was kinda fragile, and in later years was replaced with a standard tail beam. I can see that; a lot of torsion on the frame where it proceeds inward to join the engine bed.

Here is a scratchbuilt version in Carey's collection. Note the Lobaugh trailing truck and the rivets on the tender.

There was a guy on FB just the other day that was trying to ID an "ho" loco he got off ebay. One look and I knew he had landed an improperly described 00 scale Scale Craft C&NW 4-8-4. He didn't get the tender though poor guy! Unfortunately, he wasn't interested in sending it my way lol

The Sunset version of this model is very sweet. I like it so much that I have three.

Here is the first ATA H1 that I ever saw:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4o1id1uq4w5z5jpyjdl4p/ATA-C-NW-4-8-4_03.JPG?rlkey=licdyt4bb9p5169nzw7bjdt2s

Note the outside third rail pickup on the tender. This was on eBay in 2014. I was intrigued but not interested. It sold for $700.

Jim

Even though soon Maroon will post photos of Alf's masterful creation, my ardor has completely cooled. I won't be going this route unless a truly accurate trailing truck and tailbeam wends its way here without me searching for it.

In the meantime, I have for a while admired the Erie Lima Berkshire - the frame has held drivers and trailing truck for maybe a decade, and it is now time to put a boiler on it. The boiler will be only one step less magnificent than the ATA examples above - while the frame is 1/4" scale, my boiler will be 17/64, making a giant even more ponderous. Give me until January for a boiler/cab mounted photo.

This one!
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... aw%26r%3D0

Punch the "full screen" arrows for a good view. Note the drivers - unusual to see all four sets big hole Boxpok.

After looking everywhere except the MRR Cyclopedia, I found drawings of the Erie Berk there! Plan 41.

Here are a couple of action shots of Alf Modine's ATA H1 in action on Michael Ross's Virginian layout in Ft Worth:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sr5790qnagnk1kx6yzinj/ATA-4-8-4-C-NW-H1-3017.jpg?rlkey=edpp8sjjbnwsni9n597ntjavc


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nsyasngcz3hk3ievpmzpx/C-NW-3017.jpg?rlkey=gh01835sf4kc0fqor6v1eoo8l

These photos are from a video, which can be found on YouTube (and which I have posted here before):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb8soo6b3ls

I would do well to get this model into the light tent for some better photos. The model, like the prototype, is more beast than beauty, but Alf did a great job transforming a fairly rough 1940's-vintage kit locomotive into an impressive model.

Jim

The Class H is a beast .......(in a good way )
Here is a link to see my ATA in action running on the Milwaukee O scale model Club's layout .

https://youtu.be/XistOudsKnQ

Cheers Carey

I just changed the title - my Erie Berk is taking shape, with smokebox and first boiler course stabilized. I will add the firebox this evening, and then things will move semi-rapidly.

When I saw Carey's ATSF Berk, I almost changed my mind - that thing is a beast! But since I have the distinctive Boxpok drivers and lost-wax Lima trailing truck done, and a good Erie smokebox front, I am pressing on. The Erie is beast-like as well, but the ATSF might be characterized as breast-like?

I did use up my sand dome on Carey's H, so I am hoping Stevenson has another in his pile of domes. I can always make one out of a block of brass. And I have been meaning to make some longer coal tenders, both for my MoPac Berks, and for the C&O Berk with doorstop boiler. So I am now motivated to press some rivets.

I might get a photo or two before next year.

Okay - question for Erie modelers - are the cabs on the Berks all welded? I think I see a couple rows of rivets on #3376, but so far I have not uncovered a cab closeup. I got the boiler and firebox all blocked out, and am starting the cab. I may put rivets on it anyway, and call it artistic license - I am getting good at rivets.

I got one response - so I went ahead and added rivets. Tonight I shall add boiler bands and clean up the torch marks. The cab still looks large to me, but it was scaled off MRR drawings, so who knows?
What happened to you guys - passwords stop working?



Everything in this picture including the bookshelf, but not including the books or the cab forward, is scratchbuilt.

Bob,
I like it! That is one unique looking locomotive. The disc drivers really stand out. Thank you for sharing.
Rob

Slowly making progress. Drawings are not always accurate, so I am reproducing the real thing under the "for educational purposes" exception:



Adding an update - cab fixed, running board and handrail temporarily affixed, tender trimmed, boiler raised 3/32"






I am thinking the dome could still be a hair higher. Maybe later . . . also needs an ash pan pretty quick.