Looking to model SP No. 2467, 4-6-2 Pacific Class P-8 in HO

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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I’m looking to model in HO the Southern Pacific No. 2467, 4-6-2 Pacific class P-8. I saw it live at Niles Canyon Railway a couple years ago and it really reignited my interest in the hobby after 25+ years.

The local Train Shop did not have anything available. I scoured the web and only found one model, made by Glacier Park Models that was available 2 years ago.

So, inspired by a great article by Mark Schultzer, I am looking for a good model to start bashing. (Here’s Mark’s work: http://markschutzer.com/Pacific_P8/Pacific_P8_index.htm.)

Question is: what is a good model to start with? I see there is a big difference in the various classes of Pacifics. My model building skills are really rusty so I was thinking I should start with plastic, but ultimately I would like to own brass.

Also, if anyone knows of a ready to run version available to buy, I’m interested in that too.

Thanks!

Bryan

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Hi Bryan;

Get lots of pictures and information.

Here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Pacific_2472

http://espee.railfan.net/sp_steam_p-08.html

http://www.yesteryeardepot.com/sp13.htm

I can think of two possible chassis; a Bowser NYC K11, but with 72" drivers - telephone Bowser, they may be able to set you up with this, or an Athearn/Roundhouse USRA Light Pacific. For the super structure - roll your own, there have been several articles over the years on how to do this, most recently in Mainline Modeler about 5 years ago or so.

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Bryan,

There are usually Brass SP Pacifics for sale on Ebay and they are usually pretty reasonable (for Brass). Westside and others imported a bunch of Pacifics and they might be a good starting point for a kitbash if you can’t get a P8. I am not up on who imported what but I’m sure that a look on one of the SP modeler sites or at the brass books (Dan’s or the Brown book) could steer you in the right direction.

Mark’s work is definitely inspiring!!

Here is my Westside Pacific:

This model took a moderate amount of work to decoderize and tune up. It runs pretty well, not super “creepy” but very smooth.

Guy

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If you can find a Westside or Balboa P-10 (without skyline casing), you’re way ahead of the game. Remove the booster piping and castings and you’ve essentially got a P-8.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to to check out Mark Schutzer’s site, either: http://markschutzer.com/Pacific_P8/Pacific_P8_index.htm

The closest easily available plastic engine would be a USRA light 4-6-2. That would make a reasonable starting place. You’ll need an SP 120C-3 style tender, which is going to be available with Athearn’s MT-4. Whether or not the tender will be available separately, I don’t know.

The cab off a Spectrum 2-8-0 can easily be modified to more closely re