Another Engine Joins the Roster - The Third Modified I1

Well, after a one year layover in the shops, my Altoona version I1, 3368, has finally made its initial run in revenue service. It is a Sunset Model with massive modifications and re-detailing primarily done by the late Frank Miller using my photos, parts and prints. 

This was the initial engine of a group of 8 that had me contacting fellows like Bill Brisko, and Steve Grabowski for their unique parts. I also used Dennis and Kathy Mashburn for custom castings. 

Then I commissioned Joe Acri to develop a set of prints from the State Museum in Harrisburg so I could model the class with fine detail. I now own a large set of drawings of all areas of the engine. I think I could build one in full scale almost!

The late Ray Jury had developed a jig to allow me to assemble the Grabowski tank set on the pilot. Ed Rappe and I worked together to get it to be an assembly line as I had 10 to make. 

So, I coupled it up to a scratched L1 that I made out of a Precision K4 boiler and a USH drive to have a nice unique double header pull a train of hoppers. 

We are coming past the Northumberland yard now.

Sure looks nice! It took me a couple of initial tries to get it to run as I had to change out the worm gear as it had Sunset's initial low ratio worm. Fortunately, I had collected some of their later issue worms for a better speed range. 

So, we are passing another engine in that modification class. This is a modernized I1 with an up detailed tender.  It was painted by Lee Turner. It also is a Sunset that has been in helper service. You can see more clearly some of the parts that were changed including the sand dome (Brisko). I also fabricated new parts for a ash pan arrangement that Frank then assembled as he built the engine. These things are on all the engines. 

In this photo you see the distinct view of an Altoona version which does not have a big feedwater heater. Contrast that with the previous view of an I1 which does. 

We are beginning to pass by.

Here is a great view of the contrast. 

Engines are now passing the station.

Here is the L1 that has been running for me for about 23 years. 

Boy, it feels good to see it run! 

I have five more Sunset modified ones to paint and then I have two US Hobbies that I have in various stages of rebuilding. One was done initially by Gary Smith and I have run that one for about 25 years but now I am working on upgrading that tender. Plus I have one that I started on when I lived in Saudi Arabia from 1987 - 89. I have changed that one twice as I obtained more new parts. The US Hobbies are fine runners!

The tender has been extensively modified with Grabowski hatch, new can headlight, riveted back sheet to the coal bunker, grabs and braces on the back sheet, electrical conduits and Key junction castings, and Ted Stepek's tender class etchings. I also milled out the slotted opening in the frame under the water legs. 

And the L1 wraps us up. 

More engine work - Erie Builts by Overland - Motor replacement and repainting.

Well, this started as a project to replace the motors that came from Overland as they were small cans. I converted to large cans with 5 times the torque. Then I really looked at the paint job. It was a commercial job done for Overland. Not the best. 

Here I have stripped the engine to the frame (started with the B unit to determine the feasibility) The frame is clamped in a a vise for me to grind out a section of the frame to allow the larger can to drop in.

Here you see the score line for the cut which is based on the larger diameter. 

Cut being made with a heavy Dremel and cutoff wheel. Lots of brass dust around. 

Cuts are made and the opening being dressed

I actually repainted the frame later to cover the raw brass,

I now have to modify the brass mounting saddles to match the holes in the motor. this is a big pain as I have to keep the motor level as well and the holes on each end are not the same as the old motor.

Holes are now drilled and plate is in place. 

This  is the difference in size with the smaller motor at the bottom.

Previous drive

New drive. Once the B unit was successfully done, I went on to do the two A units. 

Here is an A unit body. The commercial painter for Overland used Microscale decals and while the lettering is okay, the stripe  is almost 3X oversized. It is overpowering.

It is so prominent that I am debating about removing it and replacing it with something much closer. 

The painter also put the wrong number on the nose of one side of an A - transposing two digits. So, using water and a 600 grit sanding stick, I removed the old decal and you can see I did not disturb the paint. The Microscale decals are thin and came off easily. Now I have to think about the stripe more. If I can do that along the side, I can sand it off and replace it. I would remove the stripe and the flare behind the marker as it is too wide also. 

The painter also did not put lights in the nose. So, I pushed out the MV Lens headlight and can now make a reflector and put in a lighting circuit.  Underneath the body are packages of decals that I am using to size up the stripe project. 

These are prototype photos that show how thin that stripe was. Here is a 1957 photo with a 2 inch stripe. Looks nice. It was most common as it was original and the repaintings generally followed it.

 This was a later photo with a 3 inch stripe. These began to show up in the 60's. Not as nice. I have Champ 2 inch stripes and can modify a nose curve. So, maybe??

Close up of the 2 A unit drives with a former motor.

Here is the B unit with the new drive. That stipe just drives me crazy so if I can match the paint color, I may try to sand this unit and put on a new stripe. It will be the test bed again! I have to make the determination before I close up the A units. I will also add more decals for Water, Fuel and other notations. 

More work on the Geep

Well, I have painted the underframe and trucks black and am getting ready to reassemble the drive. As the model came from Oriental, it only had four wheel pick up, so I had to add some more pick ups.

Here you see the addition of a piece of PC board where I soldered a piece of phosphor bronze wire as a pick up on the insulated side of the trucks.  I then soldered a length of wire to carry the current to the motor brushes.

Trucks are all done and we are ready to assemble the drive line.