Bowser USRA Lt Mikado, Deluxe Kit build

[iis612]

matt,your build is looking great (those rods and valve gear would scare me ) i dont have enough good photos of C&O mikes,but would the bowser heavy mikado be correct for C&O without major modification? it would be easier for me to find out if i was still part of the COHS but i cancelled my membership as i dropped plans of a C&O layout .(but i can still model the locos )--josh

Bowser doesn't offer a heavy Mike, at least not that I can find. The closest I can find is the PRR L1.
I might be wrong, but C&O had a few of the standard USRA mikes in their fleet.
I think that you can look at a few of their locos at the fallen flags sites. I have an entire folder full of bookmarks for them. Let me know if you need a link.

Matt

[nkp_174]

They had copies of the USRA lights...but not the heavies...IIRC

[iis612]

I was just looking at that info, but you beat me to the punch.

Matt

[ocalicreek]

Doesn't IHC have a Heavy Mike? Or maybe it's a Mountain...not sure, and can't check it out at the moment but mebbe some others will know off hand.

Galen

[nachoman]

I think IHC has what resembles a USRA Light Mike - but maybe a bit freelanced. I think Rivarossi had a heavy Mike.

[nkp_174]

Let's see...how many USRA mikes are (or have been in the last 10yrs) offered on my side of brass?

Lts: Bowser, IHC, Atheran, MTH, Trix, BLI, ???
Hvy: Rivarossi, BLI, ???

We've come along way from the sub-par (IMO) IHC mike and the Bowser kit being the only options for the most popular 20th century freight locomotives.

[iis612]

A new progress photo:

The pilot is nearly complete, it is missing the coupler and the cut lever. The cut lever was too short, so I will have to make one, or add some length to the original.
The boiler is not comletely seated. It will be after it is track tested. I know that it looks rusty in the pic, but that is because I am a bad photographer.
The trailing truck is complete, and attached.
The one thing about this line of kits is that the drive gear is visible. I can get past it, but it is annoying.
Tomorrow I will be working on the pacific, and maybe laying some rail. It depends on how my wrists are feeling. They are quite sore after making dinner today.
I have to admit, even though this build is going slower than I would like it to (due entirely to me), I am having alot of fun putting it together. I am already very proud of it.


Matt

[doctorwayne]

You're making good progress, Matt. Once you get the running boards in place, and some air tanks slung beneath them, the drive train will be less noticeable. Some dark paint in appropriate places will also help to hide it, too.

Wayne

[nkp_174]

Perhaps some sheet brass in the right places to hide it?

Or maybe consider a gear box replacement on a future model (it is the exposed motor and worm gear that bothers me).

It still looks pretty nice so far...and will look even better, soon!

[iis612]

Thank you Wayne and NKP.
I was looking into a different gear system for the pacific, but it would require some fairly heavy modification of the boiler. Not that I am against modification, I am opposed to the extra work.

Matt

[ocalicreek]

Looking great! Ditto to what Wayne said, and there's also remotor options available from Yardbird Trains and other companies. Looks like there's still more flash to file...hang in there and remember there's no shame in taking your time and working at your own pace. My dadgum Shifter project has been going on since 2006 and is still a ways away from completion, but I have enjoyed nearly every minute of the construction. Have fun, and keep sharing your progress, I really enjoy seeing how it's going.

Galen

[Bigsteel]

huh,i thought C&O had heavy mikes.but anyways would a light bowser mike be appropriate? i cant beat there prices and all the details id need are in the same place .and great looking progress too ,i've seen some finished bowser locos and the worm drive isnt very noticeable.as long as you paint the underside and certain details a dark color.--josh

[iis612]

Thank you Galen and Josh.

Josh,
C&O and most of their subsidiaries hung on to a few of the USRA locos, I am pretty sure that you would be safe with the bowser mike.

Here is the latest pic, it is all ready to be track tested, but that won't come until Monday.

[nkp_174]

Have you had any experience so far with the pre-drilled holes? That sure seems like a good idea for me. I'd like to know if thet've done a better job than the old MDC pre-drilled holes.

Josh, there is a distinction between a heavy or big mike and a USRA heavy mike. The C&O did have some "heavy" mikes...but they weren't built to the USRA Heavy design. IIRC, they had a couple of their large mikes as part of their collection prior to most of it being shipped to the B&O museum. Unfortunately, the mikes were cut up instead

Michael

[Bigsteel]

wow.great job man ,i dont know if the mike ill buy from them will make it to the track .now do the deluxe kits come with all the super detailing parts or just the basics?--josh