Bowser USRA Lt Mikado, Deluxe Kit build

[iis612]

I will have to do some shuffling of pics around, but construction began yesterday. Granted, I only did the first few steps, as I had alot of filing to do on the frame. There was an amazing amount of mold flash on it, and the rear drawbar assembly as well. That aside, the drivers are all installed, as well as the drawbar assembly for the tender. I am going to have to do some more filing though, as the geared driver is binding a bit . Today I start on the valve gear. I have to make a stop at the LHS and Home Depot. I need some better lube, and a few small round files.
Once again, my wife has taken our camera to work, so I will add pics when I have them to add, and I figure out where to host them.

Matt

[cnw1961]

Matt, I am looking forward to see you building his engine. I am not so much into steamers, but I’d really like the challenge of building such a kit.

[Wayne R]

Matt

I am also looking forward to your mikado build. I have been thinking of buying one of the Bowser kits so it will be of great interest to me.



Wayne R

[nachoman]

just an FYI, I bought a set of 12 small files at harbor freight for about 3.99. I also noticed a small drill bit holder (pin vise) and an assortment of small drill bits pretty cheap.

[Sarge]

Matt

I also look forward to watching your assembely of this steamer. I have a Challenger that is about half done that I started about a year ago. Getting that valve gear to work right was a blast

[iis612]

I am glad to see that this build is generating interest. Pics will be coming today. Unfortunately, because my wife takes the camera to work with her so frequently, there are no "step by step" pics.
Both sides of the valve gear are assembled. They went together fairly easily. The only real trouble I had was with the rivet tool. It did not want to center itself in the rivet ends, thus I had a few bend, causing me to have to take them out and replace them. The instructions have been fairly clear up to this point. They are as clear as mud about attaching the valve gear to the cylinder heads and drivers.
Anyways, pics to come within a few hours.

Matt

[iis612]

Alright, the first few pics are in...
errr...after I resize them that is...

[iis612]

[iis612]

As you can see, the sides of the cylinders will need some pretty heavy clean up before paint. I am doing the pre-assemble and test, then it will get disassembled, cleaned up, and painted.

[jglfan]

Looks like it's coming along nicely. I'm pretty sure you can get flanged replacment drivers for those blind drivers if your radius will allow their use. Bowser units pull very well, but the addition of flanged drivers helps in that regard, as well as in current pickup, and looks.

Gary

[iis612]

Hopefully I will have time to post a few more, but I am missing a few parts, and construction may be halted until they arrive.

[nomad]

That is looking good ! I definitely gotta save up and get one.
Have you thought about upgrading the motor ?

Loren

[iis612]

I have considered upgrading the motor, but I hear that this motor pulls pretty well, runs smooth, and is quiet. When I get to the point where I can track test it, I will have a better idea. I may like this motor until I add DCC to it and find that it is junk though, so who knows what is to happen.

Matt

[iis612]

It is begining to get under my skin now.
There are several parts missing (Which since there is no real parts list, you don't know they are missing until you get to the step)
There are parts shown on the instructions that have never been included with the kit. There are parts that are supposed to be in one bag, but they are in another. The example photos on Bowser's website are nearly useless, and some are of a tank engine not a mikado.

There, my venting is complete, now I will go about finding the parts I need, or fabricating them.

Matt

[Sarge]

I had some of the same problems with my kit, but since I got the kit second hand (at least) I can't be sure what was what. Nothing was in its origanal package. At least I got the hardest part done, getting the valve gear and drivers figured out was a pain in the but. Stick with it, you'll get it Now I got to get mine of the shelf and start working it again