Need to know where I can purchase a detail kit for my Hallmark Brass E5A/B? Also, how difficult will it be to replace the motor with a Proto P2K E6?
Thanks,
Roger[8D]
For parts try BOWSER (at www.bowser.com) they own CAL-SCALE and also sell kit parts and assemblies for their locomotive kits (mainly Pennsylvania RR), sorry can’t help with the repowering project.
Corfan,
Regarding repowering. I own Proto E units and they are sweet runners, but the motors are essentially upgraded Athearn clones. Only a suggestion; but consider repowering with a Mashima motor set up from NWSL or Proto Power West. Mashima’s draw less current, provide more torque, and are very quiet.
Cheers!
Roger,
There are really not a lot of ‘detail’ parts you can put on the engine. Maybe some grab iros on the nose in later years. The Hallmark model really has the stainless steel fluting too high, and they are typical old brass ‘dog’ runners. I would replace the motor and see about replacement NWSL gear sets. I think you will have to do some surgery to the carbody to get it to drop down on the P2K drive…
Jim
If you have access to a milling machine or heavy duty drill press that you can do some milling on, go for the P2K chassis. They can be had for very low $$. Strip it down to just the frame, and figure out what you have to mill to get it to fit in the brass shells.
With the power of the P2K chassis, you’ll probably only need to power one unit, I would do the B unit, and remove the drive from your A unit, giving plenty of room for interior detailing, etc. I would electrically connect the two units to provide more pickups, and control of lights.