Hello I’am looking to build a 4-6-2 from a kit .I would like some input on kits before i buy one .and any tips . I have built some samll kits 040 060. try to repair my vintage stuff.I would say my skill level is 6-7 out of 10.Not sure of road name yet .maybe nyj bule comet or nyc or ?. thank for any info frank
The Bowsers get good reviews from those who tinker with them. I read that the motors and drives could stand improvement, so the pickier guys will get them from NWSL and install them. But the kits are upgradable in most cases with detail parts that make the effort greatly worthwhile.
I hasten to add that I am strictly a buyer of RTR products…my first kit was a Proto 2000 tanker, and it only served to humble me. I would consider a 2-8-0 as my first loco kit, and may do that before too long.
Hello All Well I went with a bowser kit .It came in yesterday got it from Kitbash depot .It looks like a nice kit . It will be my frist biger kit so it will take some time.I want to it right i need to clean up my bench be for i start. And get some new tools. I paid $ 81.00 for it not to bad i thougt.Once i get going on it will try to get some pic up.[:)] frank
Congratulations on getting your new kit! Did you get the USRA Light or the NYC K-11?
Since it’s new, it should have a very nice motor and smooth mechanism.
About the only tips I can give you now are to take your time with it, leave for a while if you get frustrated, follow the instructions and do exactly what they say (except for the part about detailing before you paint. Painting is much easier with less detail on), and when you’re riveting the valve gear, make sure it moves completely freely be spinning a rod all the way around after it’s riveted. If one spot is a little tight, you can loosen it a little by wiggling the rods a little while it’s in the tight spot.
Have fun!
Hello I went with the K-4 pacific basic kit .I may get the detail kit later ? It took me a long time to learn to take my time .But so far so good.I read the booklet 2 times and will read 4 more times befor i start. Need to get some small nut drivers & files.But it should be fun thanks frank[:)]
Could you post some pics and show us your progress? I’ve always liked to tinker with things to make them work perfectly and I would like to try my hand at building a steam kit. How involved is it? Do I have to be an expert to make it look and run right? I’m a fan of modern diesels but I’ve always wanted a large steam loco running on my layout, however I don’t want to spend $200 or more for a RTR model.
darth santafe;
When you get die-cast/zinc alloy in your system it becomes almost impossible to get it out. I remember after I built my first Hobbytown kit in the late 60s I would get one done and then I couldn’t wait to get started on a new one. You’re experiences with your RSD whet my memory and I’ve been having dreams/nightmares about going back to HO. Gotta join HOics anonymous.
0-6-0;
I completed a number of Cary/Mantua kits in those heady HO days of yesteryear and they were outstanding runners. Bowser bought out Cary some years past and now market their USRA boilers. They were marketing them drilled for either installation on Mantua drives or on Bowser drives. When I sold off my HO equipment and went to N-Scale 25 years ago I had a Bowser K11 and a USRA Mountain; both were excellent performers. They require a lot of work but, let me tell you something, they are far superior to shake-the-box. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME!!!
Hello I will post some pics in a week or two.I need to upgrade my softwear frist. I hope you dont have to be an expert to bulid it. I am not for sure. But i will not give up[:)]. If all you want is one big steamer i would look at the train show for one that is not to bad.And fix it up. This thing has alot of samll parts to work with.They say you should bulid a samller kit and work your way up.Kitbash depot has some kits for under $200 .And some rtr stuff
R.T. POTEET I like the matel kits. My dad got me started on them with one of his varney f7a kit .He got when he was 15 and now he is 75 .I bulit it and he panted it .We laugh about it becuse it took 60 years to bulid.He is working on bowser 4-4-2 right now .He is a big steam fan mostly prr he grow up in that ear .Well off to my lhs to get some stuff [:)] frank