HOn3 2-8-2 in the works...

[nachoman]

One day I searched around the scrap/junk box for new projects. Modeling funds are tight, and I enjoy turning the junk I have into usable models. I pulled out the tender and shell of an old Bachmann 0-6-0. This was one of the mid-80s versions with the pancake motors and the nylon axle gears that split and went out of quarter after about 5 minutes of running. I remember winning this as a door prize at a train show when I was about 14.

The motor and mechanism are long gone, but I recall that the D&RGW K-27s were built with sloped tenders, as were a few Mexican narrow gauge 2-8-0s. But I also recall photos of a Uintah narrow gauge 2-8-2 with a sloped tender and proportions that resembled the USRA 0-6-0 boiler. Coincidentally, I also became aware that Bachmann makes 42" drivers for their 0-6-0t locomotives...If I could only narrow them for HOn3!!

So here we have the start - a narrowed tender, a custom frame from brass and styrene, a cylinder casting from another junk loco, Modified drivers from Bachmann. So far, so good. Next up is to make side rods and add the NWSL gearbox and see if it actually runs .