Howdy Folks;

Does anyone have a photo or a drawing of a Long Island Railroad G53sd 4-6-0 backhead? I have an old NJ International HO brass model that need one. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks - Dave

The G-53sd 4-6-0's ( #141-146 ) were Brooks built engines. The G-5s 4-6-0's( #20-50 ) were Pennsy built. The 35 and the 39 have, according to the references I have access to, were preserved. One of them is at the LIRR museum at Riverhead, L.I., N.Y.
I have no record, or reference to a G-53sa. I do have a listing for a G-53sc ( # 137-140 ) Schenectady built.
The G-53 ( #123-127 ) were camelbacks.
These are all the LIRR 4-6-0's That I know of.
I do not recall seeing any photos, or drawings of any of the backheads - - - just finished checking my card file of MR, RMC, RRM magazines, and no reference to any of the G-53's. No luck with MR Cyclopedia, Steam Locomotives, or my two books on the LIRR.
My Westside Brass Pennsy G5 ( HO ), has, you guessed it ! only a motor inside the cab
At this point, I'll have to wish you luck, finding the information you're looking for.

I do remember the G5, on the head end of the "Cannonball Express", that ran out to Montauk Point.

Howdy, I'm sorry, I meant the G53sd, 141-146 the Brooks built engines. My loco used to have an open frame motor sticking out-of-the firebox, but been replaced with a smaller can motor (going DCC). Reason why I looking for backhead info. Thanks - David

Hello again; This is an 1917 ALCO/ BROOKS builders photo that I'd gleemed off the net of Long Island Railroad 144, G53sd. I was told that the backhead had 2 fire doors. Hope everyone is having fun - David

CNJ774 Wrote:My loco used to have an open frame motor sticking out-of-the firebox, but been replaced with a smaller can motor (going DCC). Reason why I looking for backhead info. Thanks - David

I did a similar thing with my Gem ,brass, Little River 2-4-4-2, moving the motor to the tender, and building a cup / ball universal drive. I was lucky that the MR drawing had a hint of what the backhead looked like.
epaw, in building his camelbacks, found the casting <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5279&start=30">viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5279&start=30</a><!-- l --> to make duplicates of.
This should be a reasonable "guess" at what your backhead should look like.
Hope this helps, and thanks to epaw for posting those photos.

Thanks - I like Epaws work. Here's another one _ David

Some times nothing will fit, so you have do it yourself:




This was for an old United Ma&Pa 2-8-0. In this case i did in komposite manner as the customer wanted to use his own white metal parts.

Lutz

CNJ774 Wrote:Thanks - I like Epaws work. _ David

You're most welcome.
Just out of curiosity - - - Why the Long Island Railroad? I grew up in Copiague, and remember ( not well, but there are a few memories ) steam on the LIRR.
Outside third rail commuter service ran through there from Babylon, to Penn Station in Manhattan ( MP54's )
We moved out to Sagaponack, right after I graduated from High School, in '61.

Howdy, Why the Long Island G3sd? Well, keeping it brief, growing up in New Jersey in the 1960's, I'd spent some time on Long Island and the Long Island Railroad. Basically, I am a CNJ modeller, with an interest in RS1's and T38 camelbacks. I also like the Canadian National H6 class 4-6-0, being the first locomotive I’d ever had a cab ride in, then later learned to fire was the New Hope & Ivyland 1533 (see my other threads on here). I’d bought the Long Island G53sd a few years back. The first time I’d seen a G53sd photo, I became impressed with its compact design. The G53sd was best described to me as an unwanted love child between a Pennsy and a Lackawanna engine after a dirty weekend in Atlantic City. My layout, currently under design, is late 1960’s short-line in northern New Jersey, made up of abandon bits of the NYS&W, L&NE and the DL&W, operated by the CNJ using 2nd hand motive power. I am thinking of adding another smaller short-line to the layout, using the G53sd, as it’s sole locomotive. My next locomotive project after my CNR h6, will be rebuilding my Long Island loco to DCC/Sound and adding a backhead. Except for the new road name and number, the locomotive will keep its PRR/Long Island appearance. At the moment, I’m trying to find any cab/back head photos of the G53sd. Hope everyone is having fun – David Notarius, London UK – ex New Hope Pa.

I think that if you don't have any luck finding a pic of the back head, make up a back head that will fit with the appropriate controls where you think they ought to be. Either you can use it, and no one will know the difference, or as soon as you make one up, a pic will show up forcing you to make a correct one! According to a corollary to Mr Murphy's law, as long as you wait to find a picture, you won't; but as soon as you give up and make something plausible, a picture will show up to highlight your mistakes!

Russ Bellinis Wrote:I think that if you don't have any luck finding a pic of the back head, make up a back head that will fit with the appropriate controls where you think they ought to be. Either you can use it, and no one will know the difference, or as soon as you make one up, a pic will show up forcing you to make a correct one! According to a corollary to Mr Murphy's law, as long as you wait to find a picture, you won't; but as soon as you give up and make something plausible, a picture will show up to highlight your mistakes!

That, is about the only thing surer than "death and taxes".

Howdy Folks, Well, I'll know the diference, Russ! The back up plan, if I can confirm the G53sd had 2 fire doors, is to use an old Lee Town LNE or CNJ backhead, cut & filled to fit. I still have a few months to go before I start, depending on when I finish my current projects. Right now, the Long Island 4-6-0 is just a fishing trip for info. Does anyone know if the Railroad Museum of Long Island has any drawings for LIRR locos? THanks again everyone - Dave

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rmli.us/RMLI/Welcome.html">http://www.rmli.us/RMLI/Welcome.html</a><!-- m --> should help in contacting someone there.

Thanks, I'd dropped them a request. Hope all is well - D

Hi Guys, How is everyone out there in Big Blue Land? I'm still looking for LIRR G53sd photos along with any back head shots. This is a recent photo sent to me of LIRR 141 freshly painted at Morris Park in 1937. I've writhe to the RMLI twice in the last 6 months and had no reply. My next port of call is the RR Museum of Pa at Strasburg to see if the have anything. Hope everyone is well and thanks - David Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope PA