David Fletcher
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Melbourne Australia
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 | | 03/24/2008 12:17 AM |
| Chaps,
I've not had the pleasure of scratch building in some months due to other RR committments! Mostly working on Pass. and Freight car kit designs for Bronson Tate as well as researching some original colour schemes for Baldwins built for service in Australia. The first of that two part series has just been released in the latest issue of 'Narrow Gauge Down Under'. Check it out if you get a chance.
Which means I got time in the last 3 weeks to finish my Centennial Mason! This was William Mason's entry into the Exhibition of science and Industry in 1876, celebrating 100 years of independance. Baldwin supplied two locos for that event, and Porter supplied one. All were narrow gauge locos, designed to run on the sharp curves of the exhibition grounds and haul trains full of visitors between the different pavilions. The Bachmann 'Centennial' 4-4-0 is so named because that was Baldwin's demo engine along with a 2-6-0.
It was noted during the course of the exhibition that while the little Mason Bogie performed extremely well, the lead drivers still suffered excessive flange wear despite the brand new patent design Mason had used on the chassis bearing. This ultimatelt lead to the adoption of a pilot truck as first used on the 2-6-6T of the Denver South Park & Pacific RR.
After the exibition the 0-4-4T was dispatched to its new owner, The New York & Manhatten Beach RR. That road bought two more to the same basic design a year later. The only difference essentially was the addition of larger drive wheels.
See the reference at Tom Farin's Mason Bogie site for the photo of the Centennial loco and her sisters on the NY&MBRR.
http://www.ironhorse129.com/Prototype/MasonBogie/nymbrr_044t.htm
Similar locos were also bought by the Boston Revere Beach & Lynn RR.
I had so many Mason Bogie bits lying around from the class, I felt I should use some of the left overs, also since we're running the original Mason Bogie pilots and cabs by Vance Bass, as part of the Bronson Tate kit lineup, I had another cab and pilot sample to try out!
The engine was built using the original drawings by William Mason for this loco. The drawings predate the final loco, and as such there are some small changes that need to be made to adapt it to the finished version, but the drawings and excellent and provide a great basis to model from. The 0-4-0 block is a stock Aristocraft Slope Back tendered 0-4-0, with much of my Mason class laser cut valve gear parts added, along with new cross heads. The bell rig is brass casting developed for the class by Jim Barron. All the rest is styrene and PVC pipes, all built basically to the same method as outlined in my Masterclass.
Finally, while the Centennial Mason had 36" drivers, and the Aristo block is perfect for that application, the rest of this 0-4-4T design typically used 42" drivers. If its of interest to you, the stock Hartland 4-4-0 block that can be purchased on its own from Hartland has a wheel size and spacing perfect for the larger wheeled versions. Both versions are posible.
During the 1870s Mason developed a decorative style incorporating the geometric designs of Charles Eastlake. Eastlake was a contemporary British Architect with a passion for Furniture design. His wooden furniture featured neat and simple stylised plant and leaf detail which became very popular in the US, both in funiture style and architectural detailing during the 1870s. Mason adopted some of that decorative style on his locomotives. The famous decorative engines of the South Park are based on Mason's Eastlake designs, as is this Centennial 0-4-4T. Yeah I know some of you will say.."nice but not my style", sure, but you need think about this in the context of the day. So please enjoy it for what is is.
Anyway here's Mason's Centennial Locomotive:
Enjoy,
Fletch.
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(click here for my web page) | |
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David Fletcher
Moderator
Melbourne Australia
Foreman
Posts:104
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David Fletcher
Moderator
Melbourne Australia
Foreman
Posts:104
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| | 03/24/2008 12:20 AM |
| I developed the decoration artwork using AutoCad in full colour and set up 3 sheets at Letter size of all the designs laid out, plus spares for screw ups! I sent the files to Stan Cedarleaf for production into Decals. Thanks heaps for the decals Stan, she just wouldn't work without your efforts here!
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(click here for my web page) | |
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David Fletcher
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Melbourne Australia
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East Broad Top
Moderator
Centennial, CO
Foreman
Posts:472
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| | 03/24/2008 1:08 AM |
| Nice! I like the proportions, though I'm a bit biased towards 0-4-4s anyway. That scrollwork does make the loco come to life! (Still glad I model the "basic black" era, though!) Admittedly, when I build EBT's #4, I'll likely paint it as per Baldwin's spec sheets at the time it was built.
Later,
K | |
Tuscarora Railroad
Friends of the East Broad Top | |
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Rod Hayward
Brakeman
Posts:63
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| | 03/24/2008 2:42 AM |
| I am sure I have said before that this era and type of loco is not my "cup of tea", so that deals with the "not my style thing".
That said you cant help but take in the marvellous way the essence of that period is repeatedly captured by David time and again. This latest offering is no exception. Buildng with this level of precision and detailis no mean feat, but then when you consider the level of finish that the paint job is applied the combination makes for a stunning result. I also enjoyed reading the precis on the origins of the loco and the application of the style of the day.
I dont usually go so OTT, but that in this case I feel justified it is remarkable. Exceptional David. Well done | | | |
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peter bunce
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near manchester, England
Foreman
Posts:258
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| | 03/24/2008 3:41 AM |
| Hi David,
You sneak in gems like this when we are all asleep!
Seriously though - most impressive and the forest green color scheme suits it very well.
Where did you get the very fine brackets for the headlight? It looks so fine that I think they must be brass, is the headlight supported on a brass wire loop? A very good looking little loco - the use of the Aristo block will have saved a lot of time. The painting alone would taken me the three weeks it has taken you to finish it. Congratulations, it looks superb | |
Peter Bunce.
my website is part of my daughters website at www.musiccorner.co.uk', under the G scale sections on the left hand side. | |
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David Fletcher
Moderator
Melbourne Australia
Foreman
Posts:104
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| | 03/24/2008 3:52 AM |
| Hey Pete,
Nah started this one months ago before getting tied up in the Baldwin Auz colour scheme research and the Bronson tate CCRR kits. I got the chassis done over two weekends last year, and then it just sat there. I didn't get to the superstructure until a few weeks back. Most of it was done over this easter weekend.
The headlight Bracket is also another of my Mason Masterclass left overs. All the laser cut stainless steel 2-6-6T chassis kits came with this headlight bracket laser cut in 1mm stainless steel, along with the UP styled version (like on your Mason). I have a few sets of these brackets here and never got to used any of them..infact the original #42 2-6-6T I built for the class was entirely scratch made, I never got to try the cab kits, or pilot kits, nor bell rig, nor star stanchion castings, as my pilot model was always way ahead of the pack before any kits or castings were made. This time round I was able to use a lot of those parts developed over the years of the Mason class. The cab and pilot on this 0-4-4T are laser cut wood.
Thanks chaps,
David. | |
(click here for my web page) | |
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chuckger
1st Class Member
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Posts:87
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| | 03/24/2008 4:16 AM |
| Hi David,
WOW another beauty, each loco is better than the last. The green paint and gold trim is just super. Another work of art.
chuckger | | | |
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peter bunce
Moderator
near manchester, England
Foreman
Posts:258
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| | 03/24/2008 4:45 AM |
| Hi,
Thanks Dave, I remember that now;, going back a bit!
For members interested but are 'wary' about the Walschaerts valve gear, and looking in the book on William Mason, (which also covers 4 4 0s and such) there seem to be other versions, with larger wheels, with the simpler valve gear.
Not quite as decorated but very nice in themselves. The two for the 'New Brunswick Railway' seem to be close. | |
Peter Bunce.
my website is part of my daughters website at www.musiccorner.co.uk', under the G scale sections on the left hand side. | |
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Rich Schiffman
1st Class Member
Conroe, Texas
Brakeman
Posts:36
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| | 03/24/2008 5:35 AM |
| David,
Wow, that is a breath taking little jewel. Thanks to Gavin, I have followed your efforts in Narrow Gauge Down Under. Nice drawings and color schemes. But this little 0-4-4T just is so fine. All I can say is wow. It could find a home in Texas.  .
Rich Schiffman
dartco381@consolidated.net | |
Rich Schiffman
dartco381@consolidated.net | |
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markoles
1st Class Member
Lancaster, PA
Conductor
Posts:504
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| | 03/24/2008 6:39 AM |
| David,
That is one classy looking locomotive! I have a hard time picturing the wheels under an Aristo 0-4-0!!
Mark | |
Mark Oles
Millersvillanova Railroad, Lancaster, PA | |
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Dwight Ennis
Moderator
Milpitas, CA
Engineer
Posts:1240
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| | 03/24/2008 6:57 AM |
| She's simply beautiful David!! As was already said, what a little jewel! Your modeling skill never ceases to amaze!
The stuff you've done for Bronson Tate wouldn't happen to include an NPC coach would it?  | |
Dwight Ennis
Milpitas, CA
SA #21
http://www.SantaCruzLumberCo.com
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vsmith
1st Class Member
SoCal
Conductor
Posts:714
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| | 03/24/2008 8:42 AM |
| Cool, sign me up!
When do we start the Masterclass????
"...Yeah I know some of you will say.."nice but not my style", sure, but you need think about this in the context of the day...."
Dave, thats EXACTLY what I have been wanting to do for some time now! I didnt do the Mason Masterclass specificly because the 2-6-6 was too large for my indoor layout, but this pup is perfect size and with a pivoting chassis would be R1 compliant!
The thing is that while I do have a spare chassis, an LGB Cowtrain available, but I have been very tempted to convert it to a 0-4-4T Arizona Copper Co Porter. But I really like the look of your engine. Wonder if I could do both...
So...When does the Masterclass start again? | | | |
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cjwalas
1st Class Member
Santa Barbara, California
Brakeman
Posts:55
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| | 03/24/2008 8:53 AM |
| Well, this IS my kind of locomotive and I wish I was capable of executing such a gem! It's come out beautifully, Dave. I don't know what to say that hasn't been said a hundred times before, but thank goodness (for us!) you're modeling in largescale and not HO! Wonderful!
Chris | |
Chris Walas - Rogue County Rwy
Santa Barbra, California
( click here to visit the Rogue County Rwy ) | |
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DrVibes
1st Class Member
Vancouver Island BC Canada
Brakeman
Posts:29
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| | 03/24/2008 9:41 AM |
| | Thanks Dave for taking the time to share this little tresure with us. I think I speak for many when I say that without your input, OUR models would not look as good. You set the standard, show us what is possible, and challenge our abilities. Great stuff Dave. | |
Best regards, Chris
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Tom Lapointe
1st Class Member
Fall River, MA
Foreman
Posts:116
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| | 03/25/2008 1:47 AM |
| Dave, that loco is an absolute work of art! William Mason's locomotive's were well noted for their beauty in his day; you've done excellent justice to a beautiful prototype.
I live only about 20 minute's drive south of the city of Taunton, MA where the Mason factory used to be located (in fact, pass through it on the interstate almost every day on my way to work); some day if I have the time (an unfortuantely uncommon occurence lately) , I'd like to try to track down the location of the former Mason works there, may try to visit the city's local historical society. Taunton's still an active rail freight junction (currently operated by CSX); if our civic leaders get their heads together, passenger trains (commuter rail) may be rolling through there again eventually. (Unfortuantely, the MBTA's diesels aren't nearly as photogenic as Mason's "bogies" were!).
Tom
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Tom | |
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docwatsonva
1st Class Member
Hendersonville, NC
Brakeman
Posts:81
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| | 03/25/2008 5:13 AM |
| Dave,
I would just like to add my compliments. It is another amazing engine. Please keep cranking them out. They inspire all of us. You are the KING of detail and neatness.
Doc | | | |
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peter bunce
Moderator
near manchester, England
Foreman
Posts:258
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| | 03/25/2008 2:40 PM |
| Posted By Tom Lapointe on 03/25/2008 1:47 AM Dave, that loco is an absolute work of art! William Mason's locomotive's were well noted for their beauty in his day; you've done excellent justice to a beautiful prototype.
I live only about 20 minute's drive south of the city of Taunton, MA where the Mason factory used to be located (in fact, pass through it on the interstate almost every day on my way to work); some day if I have the time (an unfortuantely uncommon occurence lately) , I'd like to try to track down the location of the former Mason works there, may try to visit the city's local historical society. Taunton's still an active rail freight junction (currently operated by CSX); if our civic leaders get their heads together, passenger trains (commuter rail) may be rolling through there again eventually. (Unfortuantely, the MBTA's diesels aren't nearly as photogenic as Mason's "bogies" were!).
Tom
Tom, Mason's factory has burnt down; from the Mason Locomotives book - it was occupied by Grossmans builders merchants and J M Wells furniture, and in December 1970 it was burnt down.
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Peter Bunce.
my website is part of my daughters website at www.musiccorner.co.uk', under the G scale sections on the left hand side. | |
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vsmith
1st Class Member
SoCal
Conductor
Posts:714
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| | 03/25/2008 2:44 PM |
| | So...When does the Masterclass start ??? | | | |
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