SF 4-8-4 #3765.
Finished up with 2 coats of black on her.
SF 2-10-10-2 (which I call the 'base ball bat')!
I lied: previously, I stated that the gear mechanism didn't allow me to put in back head detail. I lucked out and had a can motor that is about a 1/2" shorter than the stock open frame motor so it just fits between the front of the fire box (always sheet metal there) and a new back head.
I had to use some stock brass sheet to make a new can motor mount.
I drilled/tapped three holes for 2/56 screws to secure the motor mount to the engine frame.
Normally, this square stock is mounted to the piston cylinders and it is then screwed to the boiler. Do to this arrangement, I had to test the new motor mounted on the boiler instead of just running the two engines without the boiler.
Figure I might as make a cab deck, also. Had some stock 'diamond grated' brass, cut it and soldered it to the removable bracket on the boiler.
Back head and deck in place. This is an oil fired engine but I had to use a back head with a stoker on it. Back heads are not easy to come by and you have to use what you have: besides, most people won't notice....until now!
Motor just fits in the fire box area.
Lot of parts on this engine. Never seen sides rods that get brass spacers on every bolt: normally just one on the main driver rod. Wasn't easy getting all the valve gear out, either. I wouldn't recommend this engine as your 'first one' to paint!
All cleaned and ready to paint. With blackened center drivers, I'm not painting the drivers. Kind of nice showing the original 'identity' of how it was manufactured. Also, I noticed on my 'factory paint' jobs that they do the same.
First coat on.
While the 'base ball' bat is 'cooking', might as well disassemble the SF 4-8-4 by united and have it ready when the 2-10-10-2 is done. This will get all four SF engines that I have painted. Also, easier to paint all 4 smoke box fronts at once.
