Bachman 2-8-4 kitbashing.

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

so I did some modifications to a Bachmann Kanawaha(since the undec i used was the C&O Version)

Right near the end of steam the B&O Had a 2-8-4 engine drawn up, and even gave it a class, but it was never built. they were to be built using old Mikado boilers, you'll see below my first attempt to "B&Oize" and now my latest and more succesful attempt at it. During this last time of working on her, i spilled my plasticweld and some got on it(very minor damage to the shell) but the trucks will need to be eventually replaced, the damage to the shell really isn't bad at all, looks like i got gloss coat on it by accident.

1st Attempt


This attempt,  looks more like a B&O Engine wouldn't you say? I remounted the bell from the back of the boiler to up near the chimney like on the P7 Pacifics.

[J3a-614]

Interesting prospect!

I would suggest that, like the 2-8-4s that were built for the Richmond, Fredricksburg & Potomac that were based on the Van Sweringen 2-8-4, the 4-8-4s that were built for the Central of Georgia to an SP design, and the B&O's own EM1s that were built instead of diesels, these 2-8-4s would have been a wartime expedient.  In that regard, and considering the T3 4-8-2s that were rebuilds of old 2-8-2s and 4-6-2s, and the rebuilt P7s, it seems the B&O would have gone with the centered headlight.

Having said that, another railroad had a 4-8-4 that some people said looked like it belonged on the B&O.  This was the Western Maryland J1, a large engine with low drivers, a high headlight, off center bell, and fore and aft sand domes, like a B&O Big Six 2-10-2!

http://www.railarchive.net/randomsteam/wm1406.htm

http://www.american-rails.com/images/CJ4841409.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/54/3f/8a/543f8afe92ed610f0699af1819e707fd.jpg

http://www.american-rails.com/images/WM1403484Hgrtwn.jpg

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

The drawing shows it with a high headlight, and vanderbuilt tended but I let it keep the original for now.

[RGW]

Nice job. 


  What I like about kitbashing Bachmann is there great online  parts catalog. Some other Companies  can take hours to find a parts and when you do, NO PHOTOS only the part number.

[ryeguyisme]

I have plans(in my head) to kitbash a few of these engines to look a bit more like Rocky Mountain power. I was going to swap out the cab/sand dome and trailing truck to make it a modern super mikado with a smoke deflector and number boards along with a resin casted smokebox door along with some brass marker lamps

I can't do it right now but it's something I've had on the drawing board for a few years now.

Was also thinking of maybe doing an SP(ex-B&M) 2-8-4 kitbash considering PSC has castings for the FWH sand dome and trailing truck

[oldline2]

EmilyC,

Nice work. I think your 2nd round very much improved what you were trying to portray. Have you thought about looking on feebay for one of the Bachmann long Vandy tenders? That would seriously change the appearance from the C&O look. I like it!

I have never heard anyone say the WM J-1 had a B&O look to it! Quite the contrary as it was a massive engine with very little commonality with B&O other than gauge.  It's a shame the B&O never did a 4-8-4  (George Emerson doesn't count). That certain "B&O look" would have made for a beautiful engine.

oldline1

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

the B&O did have drawings for a 4-8-4, even had a number assigned to it. but it was never built.

As for the vanderbuilt i'm looking into it hopefully will beable to get one at the next train show I go to.

[ebtnut]

IIRC, the stillborn B&O 4-8-4 was intended to utilize some form of Vee-engine design, with a two-cylinder Vee engine hooked up to each driver axle.  I think Mt. Clare actually got some work started before management decided that diesels were the better deal.