I have 2 P2K 0-8-0s and they are beautifully detailed little engines. The problem is, they have the wrong sand and steam domes for my RR (the IC), also the headlight should be on top of the smokebox not on the front of it. I have found the correct sand and steam domes in brass and it looks like moving the headlight wouldn’t be all that much work. However looking at the exploded view, I can’t figure out the best way to remove the boiler for the minor kitbashing it will take to make it correct for an IC 3500 series 0-8-0.
Does anyone have any tips for removing the boiler?
The Kalmbach book, “Steam Locomotive Projects & Ideas”, has a chapter on reworking this locomotive for a specific prototype. When I get a chance, I’ll take a look and see how the boiler comes apart.
If you are a steam fan, this book is worth a look.
I just had mine off the other day to lubricated the motor and the worm gear. The boiler is a little on the tough side to remove. I will try to explain it. Before you actually do try and take it apart it might be a good idea to make some notes or take some pictures of the areas described in each step before removing anything so you know where things should be when you put it back together.
1-Remove the smokebox front and seperate the headlight bulb from it.
2-On the bottom at the front just behind the pilot there are three screws. Remove all three of them making sure yo know which one is the center one.
3-At the rear of the frame remove the small screw and washer that holds the drawbar/electrical connection to the tender. Carefully lift up on the drawbar/electrical connection and slide it off its post.Be careful not to stress or pull on the wires.
4-Right below the drawbar/electrical connection there is a screw.Remove it.
5-Below the cab on each side of the locomotive there are some pipes that are attached to some posts coming of the frame on each side. These pipes have small molded pins that push into the frame posts. Carefully pull them out so they are loose from the frame posts.
6-Now remove the ash pans from the bottom of the firebox on each side.Mine were just pressed in place as each one presses on to two pins.One at the front and one at the rear.I used a small flat screwdriver inserted in the crack between the ash pan and the firebox.It took very little pressure to pop them free. Be carefull not to damage the rear sanding lines when removing them.
7-You may need to remove the power reverse detail on the righthand side. On one of my locomotives it was glued in place so I had a hard time removing the boiler on that one.The other one the part just unplugged form the metal bump below the boiler it plugs into. Be car
The domes are Precision Scale Co Inc. parts and I got them from Caboose Hobbies. They are very close to the domes on the IC 3500s, just have to add the little grabs at the top. I’m going to have to fill in the hope where the wide domes on the P2K boiler were and then mount the new domes, but it should be pretty straightforward once I get the boiler off.
Wayne,
Thanks for the detailed instructions, I’ll see if I can get to it this week…
I have the 4-6-0 and the technique is similar, but I found on it you only need to remove the 2 screws towards the side under the cab/firebox, you slide up the rear and push the boiler forward but removing the handrails from the holes they are inserted to and a couple of details. Slides right out, very carefully. Did not need to remove anything else. I replaced the bluish white headlight LED with a Warm-White LED, a yellow-white LED, looks more correct.
This was after I had virtually removed all screws to find out it wasn’t needed to do that.
have 2 P2k 0-8-0’s but I don’t think I ever removed the boiler on it, one is busted from someone I bought off ebay who sold 2 actually, one runs fine, I put DC in it and sound, superb runner. The other parts are off from a dive it took, but if assembled should run, but I will mod it to a Belt Railway of Chicago 0-8-0.
Just got the Precision scale steam catalog and will replace whatever parts needed.