Modifying My Erie Berkshire

I am glad you made yourself happy.  Are you going to put a backup light in the tender?  If you look at the detailed picture in the new catalog on page 14-15 you can see there in nothing in the tender but a speaker.

Hey Tommy,

Somehow I seriously doubt that these things will be "collectable" on the future.  I think demographics are against it.  But even so, it's YOUR locomotive, and you can do whatever you want with it.  I too plan on adding figures in the cab.  At one time, I played with the idea of grinding off the railings and adding separate ones.  But I have too many other things to do.  Like completing my layout and doing some scratch building. 

Can you post a photo of your paint job?  It sounds like you did a good job.  Heck, from three feet away, the cast in railings aren't all that noticeable anyway. 

Hi Bill,

A back up light is "doable" but it is not a priority for me, as I do not do a lot of backward running and none of my AC Gilbert  Steam (except for switchers ) or any of my  American Models Steam have back up lights.  

It does seem a little silly that Lionel casted a backup light in the tender and chose not to make it functional but, cosmetically, it just doesn't detract from the overall appearance, to my eye, as much as the really large "molded in" boiler handrails and the lack of steps on the tender when the Berkshire is side by side with a Gilbert or American Models Steamer.

I think Gilbert did a better job astheticly with "molded in" hand rails on the 303 Atlantic , and the 283, 293 and 356 Pacifics than Lionel did with this engine but the appearance of the side rods and valve gear far exceeds what AC Gilbert ever produced in my opinion.  

Little Tommy

Hi Jerry,

You asked for photos.  I am not a great photographer and there is not a really great place on the layout to get a close up but here is my best effort. Under the lighting conditions on the layout the paint job on the handrails on the engine and tender look better than on the workbench under florescents.   

Hopefully serious model railroaders will ignore the alligator, pirate and Minion that I was unable to crop out of the photo.  There is a major quantity of whimsy on my layout. 

LittleTommy 

I think your handrails look great.  

I also like your landscaping and the whimsy.  This is a fun hobby, we can't be serious all the time.

Thanks for sharing,

Aflyer

HI Tommy,

I heartily agree that the Gilbert treatment of molded in rails was better and also that the Flyonel side rads and valve gear are MUCH better.

Don't apologize for the photos.  They look fine!  Taking shots on a layout isn't always under optimal conditions.  The locomotive looks great and your paint treatment is subtle and works well. 

Also, I agree with Aflyer on the whimsy.  Many layouts feature the ubiquitous police officer giving a ticket to a hot rodder.  Mine has that plus a Star Wars X-Wing fighter behind the local body shop and Lightning McQueen is parked in a garage.  The shuttle craft from the Enterprise is also parked on the roof of the hardware store.   As the layout progresses, more of the same will be incorporated.  When people who are "serious" model railroaders, these little things are easily removed.  Maybe....   BTW, where did you get the Minions?

Hi Jerry,

The Minions were procured "Where America Shops," Walmart.  Last time I looked the local store had many varieties. I confess that I am a "Walmartian".

LittleTommy