Is there a 4-6-2 in HO that could be fairly representative of the Pacific’s that Reading ran? They had several versions, G1, G2 & G3. I’m new at this prototyping thing and am reading about Wooten fireboxes, etc (hope I got that right), trying to understand all the differences and terminology.
Do I stand a chance of finding something without having to play Dr. Frankenstein – or should I compromise at this point and look for something undecorated and just apply lettering/decals?
Well you are in for some cutting and filling regardless. i don’t think they have even been done in brass BUT a good starting point would be the Bachman 2-8-0 that has the Wooten firebox already done for you. Then I would compare the boiler to the Pacific and possibly drop a Bowser PRR 4-6-2 mechansim under it. You could also consider the Spectrum PRR K4s for a mechansim but I don’t find them to be as good. You will have to fabricate the air pump covers for the front porch but that shouldn,t be too hard.
There was once in olden times a brass Reading 4-6-2 kit offered by Mantua, but this was in the forties so I think ndprr’s idea is probably your best bet.
Actually from time to time you DO see those old Mantua kits at swap meets, often in parts or damaged which might be exactly what you want
Not their B&O pacific in zinc alloy but American made brass, and not very detailed.
As long as we are talking old, Penn Line had a Reading streamlined Crusader 4-6-2 back in the day. Those go for very high prices at swap meets.
Dave Nelson
Jim,
Check out this site…
http://www.eddystonelocomotives.com/
Looks like another decent possiblity.
HTH
Mark
Mark,
This is a little uncanny, but I’ve already been in contact with Dave from Eddystone a few days ago. We’ve been corresponding and I think we’ve reached consensus on the project. He’s going to build a Reading G2 for me using #175 as the prototype. You can check out the prototype at http://www.northeast.railfan.net/. Look for Reading Steam Roster and you can check out #175 among others.
You may also want to check out my thread at http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=62414, on the General Discussion site. I initially thought the loco would be all brass and embarrassingly found out that it was not, but still a good deal for my situation. I guess I raised a bit of a ruckus over my mistake but it all turned out OK.
Thanks anyway for the info.
Best of Luck with your G2 #175 and post us a photo when it’s complete!
Happy Railroading.
Mark
if you care to share, any specific reasons for #175?
I wish I could give you a valid reason why I chose #175. The builder has already produced the tender pictured with 175, so that helped a little. Also, I’m modeling post WWII through 1955, so I figured 175 would have been around in that time period. And…the picture caught my eye - that’s what sealed my decision. No other specific reasons.