Rolling Stock For The Southwest

[Schraddel]

The 2-6-2. Something was not quite right with this loco.



But when i was comparing this loco with prototype photos and drawings i found the reason why:

Have a closer look to the front end of the Loco.
- the rods from the pilot deck to the smokebox rods were not in the angle as seen on photos and drawings
- the shape of the stairs, they are not in ai 90° shape, but instead angled about 100°
- the pilot deck is stretching too long forward, don't know why perhaps for mounting Kadee boxes


First step, bent the stairs as seen on prototype photos.
Uhm, better but :?

Second step, shorten the front end of the frame.
To do that:
- unscrew pilot deck
- unsolder the two coverlays with the riveting left and right of the frame front part.
- shorten the front end of the frame
- resolder the coverlays now onto the right position
- refit the pilot deck
- shorten and bent pilot deck rods to fit.
But something is'nt still square. hock:


Still not square.


Bent pilot deck coverage, now it appears square.
But still something missing


Make and mount gussets.
Now more closer to prototype, but stil not satisfied. Searching what it is.

Found in www several photos which are showing the prototype from front end.


Here is the reason. The upper photo shows before and die lower one afterwards.
Have a closer look on the steps of the stairs. There were additional layers of brass sheets with safety thread pattern soldered onto each steps. And the edges of these sheets were bent upwards. So far, so o.k., but this steps on the model are far too wide and too coarse.
And there were other members of the class who have this feature not:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.steamlocomotive.com/prairie/atsf1108-wessel1.jpg">http://www.steamlocomotive.com/prairie/ ... essel1.jpg</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.steamlocomotive.com/prairie/atsf1108-wessel2.jpg">http://www.steamlocomotive.com/prairie/ ... essel2.jpg</a><!-- m -->
So i decided to remove the step overlays by unsoldering them.
It seemed to me every member of this ATSF class of steam locomotives is different, i have found no two locos which are really equal.
Now the question to replace the coverlay steps or to do nothing with the stairs.
I choose the latter option to get a moere filigrane apperance.


So it looks alike when i cleaned the excessive solder.
Meanwhile a Kadee coupler in a narrow #272 box is mounted.

To be continued.

Lutz