I am in the process of building an old MDC 2-8-0 kit. The rods that go from the crosshead into the steam chest are too short!!![:(!] I took it into the LHS and was told to get a bowser crosshead setup. However, I called bowser and asked about it and was told that thier 2-8-0 crosshead kit will not fit on an MDC! Will it really fit? If not where can I get a replacement part?
The rods are simple brass square stock. Most decent hobby shops carry brass material for scratchbuilders. Just head over to that case and pick out the brass you need.
OK, how do you suggest I attach it so that it will not bind going in and out of the cylinder Careful soldering and filing?
You are scaring me. I just finished the primer baking on a 4-6-0 and I have (2) 0-6-0 Saddle Tankers en route.
I’m going to be watching your progress.
Oh…you’re talking about the piston itself, not the crosshead guides. Sorry about that.
I’ve never heard of the piston being too short on any MDC kit, and I’ve built several. I’d go ahead and pick up one of the Bowser Alligator crosshead kits. It WILL fit, with a little trimming. In fact, once Mantua went out of the steam kit business, buying and cobbling together Bowser valve gear components was the only way to add full rodding to MDC engines (still is, come to think of it…)
Spacemouse, the only one i have had trouble with is this 2-8-0. My 4-6-0 went together great and runs like a dream. no experience with the 0-6-0, but should be fine I would imagine
OK, Ill go ahead and order the bowser parts. I have no problem with modifying parts to fit together if you have been seeing some of my wierd projects[:p]
Have you tried Precision Scale Co? They don’t list parts on their web site, I think they want you to buy their $18 catalog. But they have a good verity of steam locomotive parts. A good hobby shop would have P.S.C. catalogs.
Have you tried writing MDC? Since they are now owned by Horizon Hobby… well good luck with them.
Walthers carries some of their parts (click HERE for their list of P.S.C.crossheads)
Here is a list of P.S.C. dealers in TEXAS
The kit in question hasn’t been made for many many years. I dont think MDC would still stock the parts.
I just had an Idea. Can i just move the steam chest back a millimeter or two? Probably wont be noticable in the finished model.
You could, but it might screw up thew fit of the rest of the engine. On most steam kits, the screw that attaches the cylinder block to the frame also secures the front end of the boiler to the engine. Fixing THAT problem will probably create a bigger mess than buying a whole new crosshead.
RE Precision Scale: they make beautiful, and usually useful, parts, but they’re absolutely terrible when it comes to actually delivering those parts. I basically gave up on them when they failed to fill an order after two YEARS (and yes, I contacted them a couple of times asking about the order). Bowser is MUCH better to deal with, their prices are better, and if I use a credit card, I’ll get my complete order within five business days. I use Bowser for all my steam detail parts needs!
OK then, Bowser it is, thanks for your help.
Or, get round brass stock, and cut off the existing rods where they meet the cross head, that way you won’t have a joint going into and out of the steam chest. Real easy to even chrome plate them if you want to; you can do it with a battery.
Virginian:
How do you suggest I attach it? Solder or CA?
How much is the piston rod short by?
If it is only a millimeter to short, Drill out the cylinder block and insert a piece of brass tubing that sticks out enough to keep the piston rod in the tube.
I would experiment with solder on the piece of rod you cut off. If it solders well, great. If not, I would go with a good two part epoxy. If you can drill out the crosshead a bit to fit the new rod into, it should be forever.