Over Thanksgiving break I took a look at the Rail King FEF at my train club. Sorry I didn't listen to those advising me choose the FEF sooner, it looks like a pretty excellent donor. Being able to hold one in my hands and physically compare it to some of my other engines sold it for me. It's even slightly shorter than my daylight!
There are several physical modifications to the body that I'll need to make.
1) I'll have to remove the headlights and marker lights from the smokebox door/front. I may even have to remove the smokebox front itself.
2) I will have to remove the equipment mounted on the pilot platform and replace it with two front shields.
3) I will have to remove the current double smokestack and replace it with a single smokestack.
4) I will have to remove the sand and steam dome assembly and place a separate steam dome and sand dome on top of the boiler.
5) I'll need to remove the smoke deflectors and put different stairs from the pilot to the running boards.
6) (Maybe) I may want to chop off the top of the cab and make it more square. We'll see. That may be too difficult and beyond my capabilities.
7) Finer detailing work. Removing the pop off valves, whistle, etc. and placing them in the appropriate places. Placing air tanks underneath the running boards on either side.
I should add that I'm currently working on another loco project right now where I'll be able to practice skills needed for this project. I figured I'd ask my questions about how to do various things with this project and apply the information to the other one. If this locomotive were a movie, this would be the pre production stage while I'm in production on the Pacific loco.
So the important question is, what tools and skills am I going to need to pull this off? The engine shell is all cast in one piece, so I'm guessing I'm going to need to use a rotary tool (I have a dremel) with a saw attachment to make some cuts? How do I do so safely and satisfactorily without damaging other parts of the loco shell?
Now I realize learning how to do the physical mods isn't going to help me if I don't actually pick up an RK FEF so I suppose it would be good to start looking for one now for the benefit of my future self. How much do these usually go for? Would it be cost effective to pick up an earlier PS1 or PS2 FEF and to buy a PS3 upgrade kit? Or would it be about the same cost as just buying a PS3 FEF? Can I get one for cheaper if it comes without the box (I won't need it since I'll be ruining the collector value by my cutting etc.) Can I get one cheaper if it has cosmetic damage? Cosmetic damage wouldn't be the worst thing in the world anyways since I may need to repaint it and I'll definitely modifying it cosmetically already.
