C&O Mikado Project

[Lester Perry]

All this has got me looking back at a project long on the shelf. A pair of C&O K2 Mikados. I had intended on using the Athearn USRA light, for a basis. The wheel base , and drivers are perfect, the boiler is just the slightest bit.....yeah, light.
The major changes would be the shape of the cab, the addition of Delta trailing trucks with boosters ( not all k2's had boosters, or elesco's ), Elesco feedwater heaters "on the brow", and a larger sand dome.
I'm thinking that the sand dome could be filled with lead shot, and the addition of two air pumps, and the feedwater heater, just might make it nose heavy enough to offset the Athearn's imbalance, and improve tractive effort. Not to mention the improved "look" of the beast.
I'll have to dig a bit to find the K2 drawing from Mainline Modeler. I don't have the magazine any longer, just the drawing.

I have to agree with you on C&O steam. For most they have a definite look that says C&O POWER. I feel they could be called handsome locomotives.

.....and none more powerful looking than the H8 Allegheny.

That sounds interesting I have 2 of them myself. I might try that on one of them. If I am successful I might try the second.