I’m building a backshop facility, and I thought it would be neat to have a boiler lifted off the frame attached to a small motor and cable.
I thought a model kit of a train would be best. I wouldn’t have to pay for and hide the motor, wiring, or circuits, yet retain all the details. But I guess they don’t have such things do they?
Other than that I guess I could kitbash a cheaper IHC.
I don’t know if this is what you are looking for but the other day I was in Hobby Lobby and seen a model (like the cars and airplanes I put together as a child) that was a 4-8-8-4 Big boy. I started to get it but the instructions didn’t say what color to paint the parts, It did say to paint them but did not specify what color. If I remember it was made by Revell. Hope this is of some help. Mike
There are lots of model kits available. I’m actually doing the same thing you want to do. Here is a few on Ebay. You can usually pick up a few at shows as well.
If you have any train shows in your area, you might be able to find some cheap, inoperative locomotives that you can cannibalize for display parts. I’ve seen photos of backshop areas with all kinds of junk scattered around outside.
I’ve seen those. A big boy would be a bit much, but a smaller loco would be fine.
Monogram makes (or made) a kit for both the UP Big Boy and NYC Hudson. The Hudson would probably make a better fit for your backshop (the engine would generally be w/o tender in that kind of facility). They are (were) cast in black styrene and retailed IIRC for around $25. Discounters might have them for less or you might pick one up at a train show.
IIRC, only Cheyenne, Wyoming, had a back shop that could service a Big Boy, although the Norfolk & Western and Chesapeake & Ohio had engines that were nearly as big and had their respective back shops. A smaller locomotive would be more appropriate.
A raised boiler separated from it’s frame would most likely be stripped of it’s plumbing and insulation, exposing it’s many rivets. I doubt you would get the effect you’re looking for by simply disassembling a model, but it could be an interesting scratchbuilding project.
That would entirely depend on the type of backshop scene you were trying to create. In the photo you posted, the loco is being built, in which case it would be appropriate to model the boiler without lagging or cladding, as you suggested. But for a locomotive undergoing overhaul/classified repairs, it would be more appropriate to model the boiler with the cladding attached.
Two things are worth bearing in mind about the subject.
Boilers were frequently swapped between locomotives during overhaul, as they were the component that took the longest time to repair. Since no railroad wanted a newly overhauled engine sitting around waiting for it’s boiler, it was common practice to have an overhauled spare boiler on hand for all types of loco, that could be quickly swapped out for the original unit. This would then become the next spare when completed. When either boiler was being lifted, it would apppear essentially complete, with appliances and cladding in place.
The other is that the Norfolk & Western were unusual among modern Class 1 railroads in that they continued to build their own locos at Roanoke right up until the end of steam, rather than buying them from the commercial builders. So the scene shown here would not be one you’d expect to see on most other railroads of the time. (Yes, I know I’m speaking in general terms here, but for the sake of simplicity, I’m not including PRR, Reading, MP, IC, SSW, etc…)
Cheers,
Mark.
(Former locomotive boilermaker, who served his apprenticeship in an erecting shop just like the one in the photo!)
Sometimes seen at swap meets: Hobbyline made unpowered all plastic kits for a Nickle Plate 2-8-4 and a Pennsy 0-4-0. In a sense the original Globe (later Athearn) F-7 was of this sort – a dummy with a plastic frame and I think the original price was a shocking 89 cents.
Dave Nelson
mikesmowers-Those Revell/Monogram kits have the color painting codes inside on the instruction sheet.
I’ve got the Hudson and the Big Boy. (Revell) Got them from Hobby Lobby. $19.95 each but Hob Lob runs 50% off sales on their plastic models quite often. I picked them up for $10 each.
N&W used 2 2-6-6-4’s for steam only generation somewhere, later were scrapped.
I think the monogram kits the best bet the NYC or chessie version 4-6-4 they have.
Check the walthers site there are static boiler details available also.
If this is a background type scene, I’m wondering if a brass tube of appropriate diameter with a few wires and piping glued on to give the semblance of a locomotive boiler wouldn’t be the cheapest and easiest way to get what you want?
loathar, As for the color painting codes inside the instructions, I did open the box and looked but I couldn’t find any color codes. I was in a hurry and didn’t look real closely. I may get one and see, I would like to try my hand a building a model since I haven’t built one in probley 30+ years. Another thing that I was amazed at was that it was indeed 1:87 scale so it would be right at home in the train room. Thanks loathar, Mike
PS. I didn’t mean to hijack the thread.
Thanks for the very useful information guys! It’s much appreciated.
~Don