QuoteI am guessing you are talking about the older Reading 2-8-0 with the huge firebox? That shell will fit over the current Spectrum 2-8-0 with out too much effort.
Yes. I have frankensteined one of these, or I guess I should say I have partially frankensteined one. The issue with fit comes with the goofy plastic wedge on the spectrum frame, and the light board, and front end. Once those problems are overcome, the next issue is the tender drawbar for the medium USRA tender is too short, and the cab binds against the front of the tender.
My proposed solution:
1. Completely cut the goofy metal tabs off, and find a suitable place to drill and tap some screws (probably where the weight came out of) for the motor leads.
2. Grind off material from the front of the frame so the pipes that go from the smokebox to the cylinders lines up. based on drawings I have, It will make the firebox sit a little too far back (just eyeballing) over the rear driver, but the front end will look better.
3. Use a USRA Long drawbar. Someone once told me that it was a couple mm longer than the medium, and I remember measuring it out, and it seemed like it should do the trick.
4. Then there is the question of what to do with the headlight. In my previous attempt, I just moved the whole deal back where the removable weight was, which made it fit, but I'd kind of like to have a working headlight.
Seeing your 0-6-0 has really made me want to revisit this project, and doing it RIGHT. To the point where all the molded on piping, rivets etc would be shaved off, and replaced with quality parts. I know I have the ability to do it, in the past it was just an issue of time, patience, and sourcing the right parts for the job.
The Reading 2-8-0 was my first loco when I got back into MRRing a few years ago, and I'd love to have one (or 12
) that was a real showpiece. Rich
