Rebuilding a Mellor 2-6-2/2-8-0 Conversion

Re: Rebuilding a Mellor 2-6-2 / 2-8-0 Conversion

Manny, there used to be a guy from Pennsylvania who sold drivers at train shows. Can't remember his name - I had his business card years ago. Your kitbash project takes me back 20 years. We're all following your progress and glad you are having fun. Doug

 

Re: Rebuilding a Mellor 2-6-2 / 2-8-0 Conversion

Thanks Doug. I have big shoes to fill as you have led the way! Your article has helped me tremendously! I'm trying to have as much fun as I can stand given my kidney stones.

While searching for drivers, I came across a shop that will take plastic, make a mold and then cast it in brass. I am thinking of doing this for the boiler and cab on the 76. I will contact them this week to see what they can or cannot do. I am presently looking for the old style steam and sand domes for the fore and aft. I also need to contact NWSL and see what I can do for a gearbox, can motor and flywheel.

 

Re: Rebuilding a Mellor 2-6-2 / 2-8-0 Conversion

Sorry that there hasn't been any updates lately. However, I have not dropped this project. I just received a bunch of Kemtron/Precision Scale Steam and Sand Domes to match the forward and rearward domes on the boiler. I'm looking at the boiler that Mantua made out of metal and I'm wondering if there is a boiler that is a bit more accurate. I was thinking about the boiler from the Bowser/Cary 4-4-0, however, it isn't a Baldwin boiler, it's a Richmond/Pittsburgh style. It would need a ton of work to make it look like the 76's, as the cab is all wrong. Time will tell on this...

Right now I am acquiring some needed tools to start working on the frame, to include a grinder (stand) and a mill. I have the Kemtron valve gear, so all I need to do is conform the steam chests to work with it. Stay tuned for more updates. I'll post up some pictures when I get the chance of the steam/sand domes.

 

Re: Rebuilding a Mellor 2-6-2 / 2-8-0 Conversion

I found a few photos from my 1988 modeling project Mantua/Mellor/Lee Town + a LOT of castings.

 

Sadly no. She's snug in a box in the basement.

 

That's too bad, Doug. A great work like that should at least be on display where it can be enjoyed.
It is really, really nice - You can be proud. Thanks for posting.

 

It wasn't quite up to getting 82.5 points the one time I entered it in an NMRA judging, but I did walk away with first prize for steam.

I wish it ran as good as it looks. I should have gone the extra mile and re motored/geared it with NWSL.

 

Re: Rebuilding a Mellor 2-6-2 / 2-8-0 Conversion

especially that bell-ringer rope.