Blind drivers (no flanges) were commonplace on the PRR, and far less in favor on other roads after about 1910. Most models get blind drivers to navigate sharp corners, and since our flanges usually are quite large, they stand out like sore thumbs.
So on my railroad there are no blind drivers. Early Scale Craft models come in with blind center drivers and they quickly get new iron tires pressed on the old driver centers. Even my PRR H10 fleet has no blind drivers, except for one ancient Saginaw, which I have yet to address.
Back to the 1941 catalog: Next item of interest is the SP/MoPac Mountain. I mentioned that I have never seen a Lobaugh MoPac Mountain, and suspect that what few were made were pretty much inaccurate. Not so the SP Mountain - it appears to be a fairly faithful reproduction, considering it showed up in 1939 or so. Here, in bits and pieces, are my Mountains:
This one is the way they look while under construction - I think it is further along now, but I am taking my time. It is a pristine kit I got a decade or so ago. It needs piping, a motor, etc - but note the tender! Genuine Lobaugh! The sides are a one piece wrap, just like the real thing. There are few castings - the ends and underframe. The rest is sheet brass.
This one is more or less finished. Note that the cab is slightly further aft, and is slanted. This was an SP modification, allowing staybolt access without removing the cab. Paint is more or less authentic - we have a few color photos of SP locomotives in green right in to the 1950s. Oh - that is a USH tender. I should tell you how many 160C tenders there are around here, but then you would know I am certifiable. Most are Adams castings with my own sides - I press rivets while I watch the news.
Stay tuned for a couple more - I don't have a digital photo of the first one I did, so may rectify that. And I have one in Daylight colors, with a skyline casing. Somebody shoot me before I ever attempt another skyline casing!
Photo size - if there is a way to make these larger, let me know. The pixels are there - the camera is set for maximum resolution. I think the forum cuts that down a bit. I do have a Shutterfly account, and could try that?
