I’ve often wanted to add a PT tender to one of my Hudson’s and when NL Trainworks had the tender shell on clearance, it was time.
A parts order into Lionel for the frame, sideframes and front truck only sweetened the deal, as it all came to under $200, with shipping. This includes the 40” wheels from US Hobbies. (See other posts).
So I cobbled it all together quickly to get a glimpse of what it’s going to look like, and without tightening the shell down to the frame (you’ll see the ~0.020” gap), we’re sitting at a respectable 179.5” from rail head to the top of the expansion chamber. Prototype is drawn at 177.5” (14’ 9 1/2”).
Here’s a comparison between the oversized Lionel stock “flat tread” wheels and the US Hobbies 40” wheels.
The wheel swap for the lead truck was easy, as it’s just a pin and screw in each side, so loosening the screw allowing the pin to pop free gave me the access to drop in the wheels.
Before and after:
As for the 5 rigidly mounted axles, it was a little harder, but putting them all in on one side and standing the frame on edge allowed them to sit vertically and made it easy to insert the other side. I put the screws in just slightly so I could have them started and just tighten them down when they were all in.
The last one fits a little loose, and I’m going to try and modify the sideframes with slotted holes so I can bring them in a little more so there’s less play.
there are some modifications that need to be made, as the sideframes have brake shoes cast at all locations, but the prototype had them missing after the 2nd axle and before the 3rd, for the water scoop.
Here she is all together (not tightened down).
Stay tuned for more updates, like the design of the Kadee mount.
thanks,
- Mario
