Steam engine, pilot deck to boilerside walkway steps, source of ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I got to work on this baby

She must have taken a head first trip to floor once upon a time 'cause the pilot and the rest of the front end stuff is gone. She came to me from E-bay like this. She is an ancient Athearn model of a Boston & Maine P4 Pacific. Her picture graces the blue boxes to this day. Calscale had a pilot, air pumps and air pump shields. But no steps. Anyone know a source for steps? Or any advice on how to scratch build same?

All I can think of is scratching something out of brass strips. Filing the little brass bits to shape would be difficult. Soldering the whole thing together, straight and square, would need some kind of jig, Bonding it to the unsolderable pot metal walkway would be a trick, soldering it to the new brass pilot without having it all come unsoldered would be another trick. Super glue?

Any suggestions welcome.

2

Try Yardbird Classic Trains. They have some replica Varney steps that might work (part V1557) http://yardbirdtrains.com/YBSVparts.htm.

I also believe that Precision Scale has something similar, but don’t have the catalog handy.

Greenway’s also got steps: http://greenwaybrass.com/s_87_parts.shtml Look for part TS-487

EDIT: You might also want to check the Mantua replica and Mantua compatible pilots/decks/steps from Yardbird.

http://www.yardbirdtrains.com/YBSMparts.htm

Andre

3

It looks as though that engine requires unusually long pilot steps.

Greenway Products has a couple different styles http://greenwaybrass.com/s_87_parts_step.shtml[](http://greenwaybrass.com/s_87_parts.shtml) but they look too short for your engine.

Precision Scale has a few as well, but they also look too short.

Cary has ladders that appear to be long enough from the drawing. http://bowser-trains.com/hoother/cary/Cary%20Parts.pdf Part number 13-131. Bowser owns Cary, so you’ll have to order directly from them.

John

4

From Walther’s site.

Pilots

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Part&scale=H&manu=585&item=&keywords=pilot&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

Steps

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Part&scale=H&manu=585&item=&keywords=steps&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

I searched Walther’s for Super Detailing Parts, HO scale and the Manufacturer, PSC number is 585. I then entered, pilot and then step. Just in case you have not done this before.

If Walther’s does not have what you would like, you can always call PSC and order it direct if they have it in stock. I have done that the past few years at times.

Check their site for a phone number.

http://www.precisionscaleco.com/

Rich

5

if all else fails, why not try making them out of styrene strips. i have made a bunch of caboose steps that way and after a few false starts i finally started getting better at it. i also made footboard pilots for some locos the same way and they turned out pretty well.

grizlump