I have two of the brilliant spectrum 2-8-0’s - one is sidelined to be converted to a Cuban Sugar Cane loco, the other is screaming out for something else to be done with it?
Anyone else had a bash and modifing the On30 2-8-0s, and if so, would you mind posting some photographs for a bit of inspiration!?!
Regards,
Stephen.
Stephen, I haven’t started work on it yet, but I’m intending to modify mine to represent an engine of the FCAntofagasta-Bolivia. I’ll post some photos when I get going. Cheers, Mark.
Hi Mark,
Sounds interesting - is there going to be a lot of work to be undertaken to convert to the desired locomotive?
I think my conversion will be based around one of the 2-8-0’s at Rafael Freyre - seeing as they have pretty much the same boiler dome formation as the model, so I will not have to cut the boiler around too much. I think the biggest jobs for me will be cutting the cab about a bit, a new chimney, new oil tank for the tender and of course the RF paint-job and weathering. Depending on how (and when) it all goes, I would like to perhapse then have a go at a Mal Tiempo version with two tenders!
Regards,
Stephen.
G’day, Stephen, How much work will depend on which version I decide I want. Some of the later FCAB engines were quite similar in appearance to the model and need little change. But the earlier engines had either typical Baldwin wood cabs or steel-sheathed versions of the wood cabs, quite different tenders with fireman’s shelters, Stephenson valve gear, box-shaped oil headlights, and peculiar saddle-shaped sandboxes that wrapped around the front course of the boiler. They also had the compressor and air reservoirs mounted in a different location to the model. I’ve even seen a photo of one engine with the reservoirs mounted across the top of the boiler, C&S style. I’ve posted a link to a photo of FCAB No.79 here. Sorry to say you’ll have to cut and paste this - I use a “non-compliant” browser. :-
I think I’ll probably do the early version. It’s more work, but the end result is a much more individual looking loco. A friend and I are working on a simple exhibition layout to run this and other South American engines on. We think it will be a bit different, and hopefully eye-catching!
Sounds good to me. I’ve always had a soft spot for the RF engines, to me they are the classic Cuban narrow gauge power.
All the best,
Mark.
These 2-8-0’s are making my life miserable!!! I want one so bad but do I want to do On30? I can make a plausible line in On30 of my home area ( what I want to do in HO) but I dont know if I have space.
Love the old time engines and HO really doesnt have what I am looking for ( you know RTR and cheap) so who knows
Route_Rock,
I used to model in HO and OO, and after purchasing one fo the 2-8-0’s I have not looked back. They are just so well made and perform faultlessly. The detail is second to none and the haulage capability is astounding.
If I could justify purchasinf more, Iwould love to have a fleet of these beasts all done up like Cuban prototypes, but until my layout is built I need to keep things in perspective.
The two I have are permanently on display though - even the ex-misses was impressed with the detail…can’t say much more than that!
Regards,
Stephen
Mark,
Did you ever get to Cuba to see any of the narrow guage sugar cane lines in action?
Just purchsed a DVD with a few minutes of RF, and oh how it bought back the memories…
Regards,
Stephen.
