Modeling the 614

crzysnorider1218 posted:

Gentlemen,

It seems that Lionel, nor MTH are not going to produce the C&O 614 in excursion service correctly (large coal bunker, ditch lights #awesome, etc etc). 

I’m considering modeling the 614 myself. But there are several hurdles to consider.

1st, which model would be easier to modify? MTH’s die cast, or 3rd Rail’s brass?

Personally, I would choose the brass Sunset/3rd Rail model, because in my opinion brass is much easier to work with and solder together.

How best to cut the tender and model the extended coal bunker? How to measure (2x) and cut (1x)? Solder/weld/affix detail parts to the tender/loco?  

For one thing, if you "mess up" cutting brass, you can generally just solder it back together again. Also, remember that you might NOT have to "cut the brass tender", but simply un-solder some of the joints/pieces. With the die cast tender you WILL INDEED have to cut stuff apart. 

Lastly, some reliable resources for detail parts for steam locomotives would be greatly appreciated...

Precision Scale should have anything you would need.

let the crowd sourcing commence! Thoughts?

cheers!

JDS recently modified an MTH greenbrier with those god awful ditch lights - I believe she belongs to a member of the NJ HiRailers: 

https://youtu.be/fwoPi4QWXsE

As for modifying the tender - I agree with Hotwater's comments and you are opening up a can of worms by cutting diecast. Seems like a lot of trouble for little benefit IMO. 

Why not simply get some brass and extend the bunker sides by mounting them directly to the diecast tender (assuming you use the MTH model), and once you fill it in with coal, particularly a large and tall load of coal like you would see on an all day long excursion trip,  you will cover up the diecast end and no one would be the wiser?

Also see Rich Battista's post on his cosmetic modifying the newest MTH PS3 released Greenbrier. 

I like ditch lights on a steamer - so modern and if you squint enough, it's like steam didn't go away...

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I have cut and sliced and diced die cast zinc many times - so long as re-assembly can be done securely and cleanly with epoxy it looks just fine and is very tough.

Modifying die cast can be a pain, though. Zinc makes wonderful models, but it has it's own quirks - sometimes soft when you need hard, and really tough when you need more cooperation.

To echo Mr. Water, brass is easier to work (I've done that too), and soldering is durable in even small spots (epoxy is not - it's great, but needs more surface area). Brass is kind of like the styrene of the metal world.

But - you can combine the 2 materials (I'm doing it on a current project). Get an MTH loco and extend the bunker with brass. Adding the ditch lights should be the about same in either case.

Detail parts are available on eBay; Precision Scale - check them.

If you have not done this sort of work before, start with a smaller, less-critical, less-expensive project of something that you also want. Get your feet wet. Make some mistakes. Better on that cute 0-4-0 than on your 4-8-4. Epoxy works just fine on brass, too. Can't solder zinc. 

Mostly, though - do it. Start small - too much at once will lead to frustration.

Thank you gentlemen. Yes. I will be starting small... I have a “test locomotive” that I’ve modified back and forth and have no problem making mistakes with. 

Good idea with the coal load covering the end of the tender.

Keep them coming gentlemen.

cheers!