any suggestions, i was thinking on using a bachmann 2-8-0 ,moving the cab and going from there.
Use the mechanism, but build a new cab and boiler, since the shape and proportions of the Bachmann model aren’t right for a Wooten firebox.
Cheers,
Mark.
The majority of the camelbacks had straight boilers. The Bachmann engine has a tapered boiler. Depending on how “right” you wanted it to look, you should replace the boiler with a straight tube. You might be able to recyle the cab and dome/sand boxes. the other distinctive thing on a camelback is that the smokebox tended to be rather short, with the same distance from the front to the smokestack as from the boiler lagging to the smokestack. another big change is that the whole firebox area will have to be rebuilt to a Wooten firebox. If you look on the Fallen Flags and Reading Co Tech & Hist Soc websites they may have some plans for Wooten fireboxes. The Reading engine you want to look at is the I8-a or I8-sa, which would be the closest in size and driver diameter to the Bachmann engine.
Dave H.
A now deceased acquaintance of mine once received the RMC kitbashing award for modeling a freelanced 4-6-0 Camelback using the shortened frame of a 1970’s era Atlas Pacific as a base. I suppose the same thing could be done using a Kato Mike!