I can't help you with the instructions, but I'd love to see this!

This will be an awesome challenge-please update as the build progresses.

Yes would love to see some pictures, maybe pictures with enable more people to help you with your construction or repairs!I know I would be glad to help if i can!

Alan

Good luck!!

Submit a research request to the Kalmbach Memorial Library:

http://www.nmra.org/library

Walthers Collection

Really? A Kit?  Shows you how totally out of it I am - most KTM steam seemed to come in "knocked down" form,requiring about ten minutes assembly with a screwdriver.

What do you have to do - solder on domes, running boards, cab, etc?  

Sort of what I thought......  Sounds like this "kit" might one that was far more disassembled for some reason effectively creating a kit.

I agree with Bob2's post. I've never seen or heard of a Max Gray or USH BigBoy (KTM Built Both) in kit form, in fact, I've never heard of any BB imported in kit form. I think a former owner has rendered this to a kit or it merely needs to have a few pieces screwed on for final assembly.  I few photos would help us to clarify what you really have. 

Butch

Ya know, I've never heard of such a kit either but I've owned three loco kits produced by KTM that fit this description.  All were sold by PSC or Westside.  Actually one was sold by PSC but in a red Westside box.  It was an SP TW-8.  Hundreds of pieces.  Basic mechanism done, boiler roled with running boards attached, cab and tender shell formed. 

The other two kits were SP Cab Forwards (AC5 & 6 I believe)  These came in PSC (orange) boxes.  Even more pieces but same scenario for pre-assembly. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if PSC imported a Big Boy around the same time it's possible they produced such a kit. 

None of the kits really had much in the way of instructions.

If it were me I'd try to borrow a similar model that's been factory assembled and use it for reference.

Butch,

Any knowledge of PSC importing BBs?

Jay

As far the the mass produced line of BB's built by KTM (MG, USH, WS, PSC) the PSC loco was the finest example (detail wise) of the lineage. Which is to be expected since the line of KTM built locomotives evolved over the decades and improved with each successive importer. But, to my knowledge there were no BB kits or at least I never head of a BB kit. 

The KEY BB was a more detailed and refined model than any of the KTM built BB's, but it was also more fragile. KTM built locos were more robust and forgiving in the handling department.  

I do remember PSC experimented with several locos being brought in as kits or partial assembles and thought this had to do with import duties or taxes on assembled models versus at the time, but I could be wrong. 

Butch

The KEY BB was a more detailed and refined model than any of the KTM built BB's, but it was also more fragile. KTM built locos were more robust and forgiving in the handling department. 

The exception to this was the KTM/USA models that KTM imported under their own name in the mid to late 80's, after the brass train market moved to Korean, due to high cost of Japanese craftsmanship. These KTM/USA locos had all the robustness of the KTM line, but were decades ahead of their time in exquisite detail, running ability and innovation.

They had coasting drives, equalized suspension on the drivers that transferred back to the trailing truck, all axles sprung and had ball bearings, all hatches opened, an opening smoke box door, functioning boiler steps, sliding cab windows and full cab interior with hinged doors and working door handles. In fact, all hatches and steps have working latches (brass wire shaped like handles) to hold them closed. Working headlights, marker lights, number boards, under walkway work lights, cab lights, back up lights on tender and so on. They really were ahead of their time and stand up well to even the latest and greatest imports today except they don't have sound and DCC control. Real collector pieces. They made some FEF-2's and FEF-3's and some BB's. 

Butch

At the time USH was importing locomotives, fully completed locos were called "toys" and taxed at a higher rate than the same loco in "screwdriver assembly" condition.

So, unless a previous owner took it apart, it should go together rather easily but the instructions certainly would help.  Are the "parts" bags there?

As stated above, more photos would help.

Ed

Lots of fun to assemble the contents of the box!

It's much more 'complete' than I expected to see.  Wish it was at my house....

The pictures show just about everything in the box.  The tender seems to be complete. It's on the upper left of the picture.  There are no parts bags in the box just a bunch of Kemtron envelopes.  These parts look small enough to be HO and may not be part of the kit.  The original owner has recently passed away and his daughter has asked me to finish this engine to be displayed as a mantle piece in honor of her Dad.

Artie

Yep, looks like your standard issue USH BB.

One way to tell if it's early or late is to look at the plug/receptacle from the loco to the tender.  If you can capture a photo of either one we can tell.

Jay

US Hobbies/KTM never imported 'assembled' brass models for one very important and compelling reason - IMPORT TAXES! As I recall brass models imported partially assembled in the 1960's and 1970's were taxed at a lower rate than completed models and the various importers took full advantage of this tax loophole. I have owned several of these fine brass models and can't recall ever seeing one completely assembled in the orginial packaging box. I can say with a little bit of fiddling they are excellent runners and extremely durable compared with some of the more recent brass engines being imported today.

For the most part these models don't have the level of 'detail' we've come to expect on more recent brass imports but they are without question an absolute bargain in todays overpriced marketplace. Both the printed instruction sheet and parts bag are essential to complete these models as envisioned by the importer but a good model craftsman can work around any missing parts with a little patience and creativity.