Love your layout and coverage of the BC&G. One of these days (if I last -at 91) I will send a couple of photos I took down there years ago. Do you need any tread material. Can cut some off from what I have. Some brass, some nickle silver.
Free to you. John Armstrong, Kirtland Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: Brooks Stover To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2013 8:01 PM Subject: {S-Scale List} B&O EL-3 Project [3 Attachments] [Attachment(s) from Brooks Stover included below] I recently saw one of the new Lionel 2-8-8-2s in operation on a nearby S layout. It a beautiful looking and smooth running engine...a great addition to S, especially since SSL&S will convert them to scale for those who desire. I had to have one! A little research revealed that the B&O had several classes of 2-8-8-0s that were dimensionally very close to the Lionel model, certainly close enough for my modeling style. I am currently modifying one of the Lionel engines to represent B&O #7138, an example of a EL-3 class 2-8-8-0. Several of the appliances on the engine will have to be relocated, but the biggest challenge is that the B&O engines had Vanderbilt tenders. Back in Sept/Oct 1981, S GAUGIAN ran an issue devoted to B&O steam. The issue includes a scale drawing of a similar EL-5, including the tender. I've gotten a good start on the tender and have attached a couple of photos. In the photos the brass I beam is simply resting on the wheels and will, of course, be tucked up to the tank and attached to the end bolsters. The water hatch (from SSL&L) and part of the cat walk are also just temporarily in place in this photo. The trucks are from AM, the cast steps from SSL&L and the ladders are Lionel replacement parts for the Y . I am going to apply Archer rivet decals. I'm still working out how to integrate the big engine into the operating scheme on my BC&G layout, but I'll come up with some way to share this engine with my operating crews. Maybe the BC&G leased it for a few months to test the feasibility! I can post additional photos as work progresses if there is interest. My plan is to enter the engine for judging at the NMRA North Central Regional Convention to be held here in Detroit this fall. Many thanks to Ed Kirkstatter and Phil Bonzon, both expert B&O modelers who have helped me with information and suggestions.
