bob2 posted:Scratch-built. Mostly .020 brass. Rear of water tank is hammered out of .032 to give me extra material to file smooth.
The SP 5000 is not a good starting point. The UP cab is dramatically different. Why not start with a UP 2-10-2 and put a new smokebox and extend the forward frame?
I only want the KTM or 3rd Rail drive train, which is why I'm looking for a junker. Instead of a Frankenstein-frame job, my plan was just to use the working drive train from the 4-10-2 combined with a modified extended boiler from a KTM TTT and scratch build the simplified steam chest, piston covers, large stack and sand dome. Use a modified Sunset or KTM 9000 tender converted to oil. Finally add details to prototype.
Then again it would be great if Scott Mann and 3rd Rail just made a proper one. Communication with Scott however, he felt it was a no go as there wasn't enough interest when it was previously offered. I would argue the problem was in offering the earlier 3 cylinder 8800/8000 class instead of the later simplified 5090 class. More popular locomotive and in a more popular later time period for Union Pacific modelers (1942-1954). Heavy use on the Cajon Pass and a must have.
Or maybe Lionel will grow a pair and offer it as the next brass hybrid.
