Calling all Master Model Railroaders!

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Nickster5171

Railfan
Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if one could take two 2-10-2's (I.E- Bachman, Spectrum, etc.) and kitbashed them into a Santa Fe 3000 Class Mallet. I don't know if one actually exists, but it would be quite a challenge. I believe that in the long run, it might be worth it to have a model of 1911's greatest "Monster." I don't know if this is truly doable or not, but please post your opinions and/or other kitbashing ideas. Also, post pictures if you have any.
 
Nickster5171 said:
Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if one could take two 2-10-2's (I.E- Bachman, Spectrum, etc.) and kitbashed them into a Santa Fe 3000 Class Mallet. I don't know if one actually exists, but it would be quite a challenge. I believe that in the long run, it might be worth it to have a model of 1911's greatest "Monster." I don't know if this is truly doable or not, but please post your opinions and/or other kitbashing ideas. Also, post pictures if you have any.
Click to expand...

One of the importers of brass locos made a model of the ATSF 2-10-10-2 (many years ago). You might run a "wanted" ad in MR to see if anyone has one they might like to sell. Also check the ads in MR for used locos. In either case it won't be cheap.

Kitbashing one might be possible but would be quite a chore. I've scratch built a number of O and On3 locos including some that never really existed and its not easy.

Ben
 
Yeah - thats one of (if not) my favorite locos. Plans were in MR mag many years ago. The tender is short so it could fit onto 100 ft turntables. Speed was limited to 15 or so MPH due to the 6 ft diameter front cylinders and all that mass (including siderods) in reciprocating motion. Tear the track and loco up if they went much faster. The philosophy back then was to pull as many cars as you can with a single loco - speed was not a criteria.

Ben
 
Theoretically it could be possible. However, it would be more work than you know. I've started projects that were less work than this one, and now several years later, almost nothing has been done. Before you go off and start this, you should do some research and make sure you know EXACTLY what you are doing. I would also keep an eye out for the completed brass virsion. I've seen them around some brass websites like this one (though it doesn't have one now):
http://www.brasstrains.com
among others.

I would also check ebay. Every one in a while you'll get someone who has some sweet brass import and has no idea of its value. That usually doesn't happen for this engine, but... even so. People know ebay and tend to think of it when they are selling.

Anyways, check the price of whatever the brass import is, and calculate how much it would cost to build it yourself. What may happen is the project becomes more expensive in the long run than the brass model.

As I said, not impossible. Just keep those things in mind. :)

BTW
Ben, you wouldn't happen to know what issue of MR that was, would ya?
 
Fraid not but I wish I did cuz I'd be sorely tempted to commission it from Paulz Trainz USA. MR mag supposedly has a listing of all plans and articles appearing in it on thier site. You might give it a look-see.

I saw the ATSF loco (HO scale) at Chester Hollys model RR shop in Tampa, Florida when I was in high school which puts it at least 50 years ago. $200 or so if I remember correctly.

He also had a 4-8-8-4 in O scale by Max Grey. $395.00 which at the time I thought was the national debt, lol (I used to mow lawns for model RR mad money at $2 a lawn). Same loco today is over 4 grand. I saw one advertised a while back in LGB size for $12k.

I have a 14 ft 6 in by 40 ft HOn3 model RR but haven't touched it since getting Trainz and Gmax. Hobby just got too expensive (like a 0-6-0T for $495.00).

BTW I think Paulz Trainz USA has the ATSF 2-10-10-2 as payware.

Ben
 
The MR site was taken down this year as it was DOS based custom database and was being hacked, I miss it as it was great to look up plans.
 
Now thats a serious bummer.

I have MR loco cyc vol 1 (steam). Its still available but it was originally published so long ago I find it hard to believe they don't have enought new plans to make a vol 2 (steam). I'd certainly buy it.

Ben
 
A volume 2 would be awesome. Kind of going along with that, have you seen the price of the Diesel Cyclopedia since they've stopped printing it? I saw it on Amazon starting at like $90!

Anyways, you saw this brass engine for $200? Last I saw it, it was at something around $1000! That's the great thing about this hobby... almost nothing looses value. I mean, that's great unless you're the buyer. :)
 
$200 was expensive for a HO Scale brass loco in the late 50's and early 60's. 4-6-0's went for $35 to $50. Articulateds for $150 to $250. Today its $500 and up (sometimes way up, lol). I paid $950 for a HOn3 2-8-2 K-37. In On3 its close to $4000. Hobby has gotten far too expensive.

Ben
 
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