It has begun. 3rd rail y6b to y6a. All brass construction will make it much easier to convert. New CAD drawings completed for the unlagged boiler. Rivets will be etched in this time.
I will take pictures with my D750 this time around for more detail
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The first new drawings are printed and ready. Some of the number plates are for other projects. After this one is finished I am scratch building a correct s1a using etched and cast pieces.
That will be one fine-looking model when done. I'm jealous of your ability to etch your own parts!
Etched out the new smoke box with rivets tonight. I’m not sure if I’ll use this one or make a new one. When rolling you need to use a piece of heavy paper to protect the details. The shiny brass is where the solder joint will be to the existing model. The discoloration is from the etching process. The metal is smooth but the underlying layer of copper is starting to come through.
Torching the 3rd rail apart before cutting the boiler
Boiler torched apart
Working on getting the y6a together. Feedwater heater and 1/2 the piping is soldered on. New smoke box is soldered on. Still quite a bit to do before stripping and painting.
Two of the obvious differences in a y6a and y6b is the worthington side mounted feedwater heater on the fireman’s side and the dual air pumps on the engineers side.
New etching tonight for the y6a. Overall I’m pleased with this piece and will probably use it. I made a couple different designs. One design makes his piece a little thicker. Handrail work after this is soldered on and the details attached.
A little more progress done on the O scale y6b to y6a conversion. A few pieces etched. Some soldered on. It looks rough until it gets blasted clean and painted. Once it’s painted all the fine imperfections get filled in and it smooths out.
Wow, that looks amazing. What is involved in etching the parts? Looks like a handy setup to have!
Looks great! You have a lot of guts chopping up a nice model like that!
A lot of work, but worth it. Very very nice.
thor73 posted:Wow, that looks amazing. What is involved in etching the parts? Looks like a handy setup to have!
I’ll have to do a how to etch video. I get asked all the time how to do it. I do mine differently than some of the others on YouTube.
Hey N&WSTEAMFAN - I'd like to ask you a question off-forum but your email isn't in your profile. If you don't mind, please drop me an email.
I’ll have to update this thread. The engine is finished and I’m very happy with the results. I’ve started a scratch built 3 rail s1a now 
49Lionel posted:Hey N&WSTEAMFAN - I'd like to ask you a question off-forum but your email isn't in your profile. If you don't mind, please drop me an email.
Sure thing
n&wsteamfan posted:I’ll have to update this thread. The engine is finished and I’m very happy with the results. I’ve started a scratch built 3 rail s1a now
Looking forward to following this project - what are you going to use for the chassis?
The 3rd rail y6b to y6a conversion is complete. I started media blasting and prepping the brass for painting.
I still have a few tweaks to make before painting.
Well, it's only complete when it's back on the rails under it's own power. 
I'm looking forward to seeing this when it's all painted up and back together. 
gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, it's only complete when it's back on the rails under it's own power.
Very true! I'll have to get on that tonight or tomorrow!
It would be nice at some point to have your conversion next to a stock model to highlight the upgrades.
gunrunnerjohn posted:It would be nice at some point to have your conversion next to a stock model to highlight the upgrades.
I don't have another 3rd rail y6b but I do have a Lionel JLC I can compare it to. I think they are close enough to compare. 
There are considerable differences between the two that I notice immediately but others probably wouldn't.
The air eraser made short work of removing the numbers. I want to do a little more prepping before paint but it’ll get done this week. I’m not in a hurry so might as well make sure it’s right. I just realized I have one more detail pipe to add...
Wow, you have some brass kahonas, I totally agree with another statement about ripping it up to make changes. I wouldn't have the guts to do that as I'd be afraid of ruining it completely. Your work is really nice and it is really looking nice. I agree with Gunrunner John, I want to see it on the rails and running. Very nice work.
The paint has been stripped. Any final filing, tweaking, reworking has been completed. The metal has been etched and is ready for paint. I might spray it tonight or this weekend and get it back together.
How many times have you painted this sucker? I seem to recall a number of times it was in paint, and then it was back in the nude.
We all will have to wait for this amazing new engine come to life. Can't wait, lol.
gunrunnerjohn posted:How many times have you painted this sucker?
That was the Lionel engine I was messing around with awhile ago. I bought a 3rd rail so I could actually solder it together properly. I made all new parts for this conversion though. I haven’t painted this engine at all yet so this weekend will be the first time 😁
I lost track somewhere, it'll be interesting to see how this one looks when complete.
Two more details added. It’s been washed and is drying now. I might do the first base coat tomorrow 
Threw some paint on. It turned out ok. Once the shine goes away it will look better. I sprayed the entire engine black. I did a custom mix smokebox color. I wanted it to look new but had been fired up without any weathering. The shinier parts are where the paint was thicker and when baked glossed over. I’ll get some numbers on it and then dull that shine down. Test run this weekend.
Now that is skill at the finest!
Lookin' good.
I’m not sure what number I want on this engine just yet but I made a custom mix semi gloss and sprayed today. I’ll assemble the engine and run it today.
Lookin' pretty nice, let's see it run!
Very nice work - looking forward to the official rebuilder's photos!
Once I get some numbers on she will be finished. The number plate isn’t secured on as it doesn’t have a number yet
I think I can do a better job next time. I know what I would do differently to make things look better to me. But overall I like it.
I think it looks great. I've done several projects like this, and I can attest that each time I get a little better at it.
49Lionel posted:I think it looks great. I've done several projects like this, and I can attest that each time I get a little better at it.
Thanks! There are a couple changes I would make. I would take more time in the beginning to make it as perfect as possible before adding details
Very cool, nice work! 
What number choices do you have for it? 20-25 road numbers?
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:What number choices do you have for it? 20-25 road numbers?
The y6a’s were numbered 2155-2170. I have a couple plates made for the front but I don’t have decals printed yet for the cab.
n&wsteamfan posted:Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:What number choices do you have for it? 20-25 road numbers?
The y6a’s were numbered 2155-2170. I have a couple plates made for the front but I don’t have decals printed yet for the cab.
Well, whatever number you choose, I'm sure it will have come to you pretty easily.
Over all, like they say the creator is the biggest critique. Also, you did a great job. I can't even turn a simple copper pipe into anything. You did a great job and I am with everybody else, get that engine behind a long coal drag and let her roll. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP69fQBiNXQ
I don’t have my layout up right now for a long coal drag but I ran it on the roller board I made years ago. I did something wrong because everything worked correctly 🤪
Here’s the y6a and y6b side by side 
Here’s a short running video
n&wsteamfan posted:Here’s a short running video
Love that whistle!
Looks and sounds great. I am curious why the front pilot is bobbing up and down.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks and sounds great. I am curious why the front pilot is bobbing up and down.
The rollers weren’t setup for this engine so the drivers aren’t really centered which causes a little lurching at times. It works for short video.
Very bold! Great work what kind of soldering equipment do you use.?
n&wsteamfan posted:Here’s the y6a and y6b side by side
Now that is great! Just great! Two engines laying down on the job! How could this happen? Their supposed to be heading up north with coal.
Seriously though, a fantastic job through and through. Only thing that remains is you giving it it's number.
And the winning number for the y6a is.....2160 Home etched brass number plate
I made a 2169 too
The next steps are to measure and design the lighted number board decals and print them off on my alps printer.
Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:n&wsteamfan posted:Here’s the y6a and y6b side by side
Now that is great! Just great! Two engines laying down on the job! How could this happen? Their supposed to be heading up north with coal.
Seriously though, a fantastic job through and through. Only thing that remains is you giving it it's number.
Thanks!
Trainman2001 posted:Very bold! Great work what kind of soldering equipment do you use.?
Thanks!
I use a propane torch, mini butane torch, soldering iron, and resistance soldering depending on what I’m doing.
I had time to draw up the headlight number boards. I had to think about how I wanted to do this but decided to just do a water slide decal on my alps printer.
I can finally say this one is done. 3rd rail brass O scale y6b converted to a y6a. Extensive boiler work and complete scratch built smokebox and home etched parts. I might put it up for sale if there’s interest.
Stunning Job! What would it's price be?
n&wsteamfan posted:Trainman2001 posted:Stunning Job! What would it's price be?
Thanks!
I paid full retail price ($1800) but won’t get it back. I would sell it for $1200.
Like they say in an action "SOLD!" to man in the back of the room.
Trainmaster04 posted:n&wsteamfan posted:Trainman2001 posted:Stunning Job! What would it's price be?
Thanks!
I paid full retail price ($1800) but won’t get it back. I would sell it for $1200.
Like they say in an action "SOLD!" to man in the back of the room.
Again that is a great job on a wonderful locomotive. P.S. I was making a joke above.
here’s a YouTube of it running
I'm in awe of what you have done. True craftsmanship at its core. Not that this thread wasn't a lesson in itself, would you mind giving a compressed description of the some of the notable differences between a Y6a and Y6b?
Dave
The most noticeable difference is the side mounted feed water heater and associated piping to the front of the boiler. The overall boiler length is roughly 1/2” shorter. Also, The dual air pumps on the engineers side. There are other differences but those are the biggest
Because the boiler has been shortened by removing the SA feedwater heater, the handrails directly in front of the smokebox should be vertical instead of slanted.
@Big Jim posted:Because the boiler has been shortened by removing the SA feedwater heater, the handrails directly in front of the smokebox should be vertical instead of slanted.
That’s a good catch that I missed. I’ll have to correct it!
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