I’m planning on purchasing a Bachmann Espee GS4 either in daylight or " war baby paint. "
What I want to do is either backdate it into a GS3, or Forward Date it into a GS6, And the fastest way I can think of is to remove the boiler plate off and replace it with one made of brass, my question, Is there any of these parts in exsistance or how can I do this?
Dale D.
The most challenging will be to fabricate a bolier front, I know of no part for this, perhaps you could bash the existing one by carefully removing both castings, facbricate a headlight from tubing, plug the holes and after alot of carefull sanding/finishing blending it together without destroying surrounding detail and drill to accept a new scratchbuilt casting or if you’re really living right, possibly salvage one you removed.
The cab differs, the GS3’s did not have the all weather cab feature of later classes, nor did the GS6, they had folding doors ala a telephone booth across the cab back, I suppose you could cut out the existing door to duplicate this feature, you would also have to dispense with the cab back, side ladders and skirting.
Driver diameter also varied, 73 inches vrs. 80, the decision is yours how much is good enough.
With a GS6 you’d have to remove the side skirting, not too tough a task, you’d have to build up the missing cylinder casting and add a substaintial amount of detailing to this formally invisilbe spot.
Depending of era, all GS classess had their number boards relocated midway on the boiler. The GS6 came so equipped, there were also minor variations in the tender handrails from class to class
Best of luck-sounds like an ambitious project!
Dave