Hi All, I have started on the long process of modernizing and converting my as built Omnicon PRR K4 to become K4 5495 as it was in 1956. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/billlane/5495_1.jpg This project has been stuck in my head for at least 10 years now. I guess now is as good of a time as ever to finally get it started. With any luck it will be in the model room at next year's PRR convention.
I am trying to simulate the most obvious features of the cast K4 frame. I started by forming the extended cylinder boiler cradle sheet. This was a real lesson in fab work. I had a steel mold made to cast larger lead boiler weights. I used the bottom half of the mold and a 1" pipe nipple to press the piece into shape. Next, I had to make the diagonal cylinder braces. I figured I would try the rear braces first since I am only doing them in silhouette. None the less, these braces are the 3rd set I made as the table slop on my Unimat mill chomped the first 2 sets into scrap. It was very frustrating! But no machine can replace the time consuming final file to fit. The front cylinder braces are hugely complex castings. I have yet to try to mill a set of them, but that is the character and spotting feature of the cast K4 frame. It has to be good and right! I wanted a realistic front draft gear with a working S Scale Kadee coupler. The models came with a nice draft gear casting that you threw away when a Kadee is installed. I never understood that thinking. I used a brass Kadee coupler I had made from lost plastic casting since the shank had to be rather small. I then devised a small but effective centering spring mechanism for the front coupler. The project so far has been OBSCENELY time consuming, but this is what I really enjoy. Figuring out how to make a part or solve a problem keeps everything interesting and a challenge. I probably have 40 hours in making these parts and changes so far. I have LOTS more to do before it can be painted. The photos were taken sitting on my laptop. My photo studio is 2 miles away so I can't run over there every time I make a little progress. They are being taken mostly for my reference. But I think they are passable Thank You, Bill Lane Modeling the Mighty Pennsy in S Scale in 1957 since 1988 See my finished models at: http://www.lanestrains.com Over 100 new photos recently added Importing a Brass S Scale PRR X29 & G26 http://www.pennsysmodels.com ALL of the production X29 have arrived as of 6-30-05 Replacement PRR decals arrived 10-5-05 The G26 & G26a is complete. PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded (Trading is MUCH preferred) http://mywebpages.comcast.net/billlane/PRRphotos.xls ***Join the PRR T&HS*** The other members are not ALL like me! http://www.prrths.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
