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This project has been like giving birth to an elephant. It took two years to get results, but finally, it's ready to roll!
I picked up an LGB Forney, as shown below. After drooling over it for a while, I decided that it would need to "go under the knife" to get something that better represented Colorado practices. I've included "stock" and "bashed" photos to show some of what the outcome has been. The reasons it took so long? 1) I occasionally get burned out and just have to get away from a project for a while. 2) Projects like this tend to languish in the summer. 3) I have a "significant other" who gets testy if the other chores get neglected.
Overall, it's a nice little model, but it needed a little help to fit in with the rest of our Columbine & Larkspur roster. The stock model has one feature that particularly looked goofy to me... the pilot that swings at crazy angles to the boiler. The piping is characteristically "Maine", and the level of detail on the appliances leaves something to be desired.
In this "bashed" shot, you can see the revised pilot assembly with a Kadee #835 mounted through the end beam. New castings were used to upgrade the generator, airpump, headlights, whistle, etc. The piping, conduits, bell, and smokebox handrail were all rebuilt. The headlights have reflectors from "The Flashlight King", and "warm white" led's.
The model comes with simulated steel-paneled sides and the door just behind the center. The rear bunker is rather plain, as is the end sill.
The cab sides were rebuilt completely, simulating wood construction. The doors were moved to the rear and new windows were installed. I beefed up the coal bunker and added a load of crushed real coal. I also added a ladder and addtional grab irons to the back. The end beam got steps, a Kadee #835 coupler, and air hose/gladhand. The small toolbox on the bunker deck conceals the Phoenix configuration jack.
A particularly challenging part of the project was fitting the complete Phoenix Sound system into the confines of the bunker. I used an oval speaker rather than the usual 2.5" round unit. LGB ball-bearing wheelsets provide power to the sound system as well as the main circuitry. This photo also shows backhead detail, which to me is a "must" considering the large cab windows. I didn't put in every conceivable appliance, but provided enough to make it look "busy".
Now that the #20 is complete, she'll be assigned "mixed train" duties on the C&L. Until the snow finally melts out of our canyon, however, she'll just have to wait the season out in the roundhouse, sitting there and "lookin' pretty"./DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/kiss.gif
I picked up an LGB Forney, as shown below. After drooling over it for a while, I decided that it would need to "go under the knife" to get something that better represented Colorado practices. I've included "stock" and "bashed" photos to show some of what the outcome has been. The reasons it took so long? 1) I occasionally get burned out and just have to get away from a project for a while. 2) Projects like this tend to languish in the summer. 3) I have a "significant other" who gets testy if the other chores get neglected.
Overall, it's a nice little model, but it needed a little help to fit in with the rest of our Columbine & Larkspur roster. The stock model has one feature that particularly looked goofy to me... the pilot that swings at crazy angles to the boiler. The piping is characteristically "Maine", and the level of detail on the appliances leaves something to be desired.

In this "bashed" shot, you can see the revised pilot assembly with a Kadee #835 mounted through the end beam. New castings were used to upgrade the generator, airpump, headlights, whistle, etc. The piping, conduits, bell, and smokebox handrail were all rebuilt. The headlights have reflectors from "The Flashlight King", and "warm white" led's.

The model comes with simulated steel-paneled sides and the door just behind the center. The rear bunker is rather plain, as is the end sill.

The cab sides were rebuilt completely, simulating wood construction. The doors were moved to the rear and new windows were installed. I beefed up the coal bunker and added a load of crushed real coal. I also added a ladder and addtional grab irons to the back. The end beam got steps, a Kadee #835 coupler, and air hose/gladhand. The small toolbox on the bunker deck conceals the Phoenix configuration jack.

A particularly challenging part of the project was fitting the complete Phoenix Sound system into the confines of the bunker. I used an oval speaker rather than the usual 2.5" round unit. LGB ball-bearing wheelsets provide power to the sound system as well as the main circuitry. This photo also shows backhead detail, which to me is a "must" considering the large cab windows. I didn't put in every conceivable appliance, but provided enough to make it look "busy".

Now that the #20 is complete, she'll be assigned "mixed train" duties on the C&L. Until the snow finally melts out of our canyon, however, she'll just have to wait the season out in the roundhouse, sitting there and "lookin' pretty"./DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/kiss.gif
