https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-ho-aristo-craft-8-frisco-161682797 Anyone remember this die cast model or ever have one? Back in the 60’s the 15 year old me wanted one bad. I doubt if it was anywhere near prototypical and judging by the other two Aristo Craft engines I had, it probably ran like a jerky turkey. They were made in Japan by “New One”, and these engines have seemingly disappeared into another dimension. This is only the second time I’ve seen one on line.
Believe or not, I found one at a sale a few years ago. The mechanism is quite good, the open frame motor, not so much. The boiler has only a passing resemblance to a USRA Light Mikado, as it's larger and longer. I broke the pilot off working on the loco, but glued it back on with JB Weld. Amazingly enough, it seems to have worked. It was missing the pilot truck, so my friend made me one with brass sheet and tube and an Athearn wheelset. I'd like to replace the motor, but it's hard to find a motor narrow enough to fit in the frame. I rebuilt it with supermagnets and added a washer, but it's still a little rough. Something to tinker with.
I never saw a good picture of this engine back in the old days, only the blurry photo in the AHC (remember them?) ads in RMC and MR. And didn’t realize until now it was really a crude USRA light 2-8-2. At least they got the numbers right! Which leads to another question. Who remembers the Cary die cast USRA boiler to put on a Mantua mikado mechanism? Boy, those were the days! Any of you mossbacks ever do that? I had the Mantua mike. It was MASS-SIVE! It woulda still been big in 00 Scale. Built it when I was 13, made me a Master Craftsman! Although I left the valve gear off, beyond my ability at the time.
We had a different version of the locomotive. It came with white lettering and flanges on all drivers.
I have one of those, too. I have both a Cary Heavy boiler and a Cary Light boiler. The Heavy is sort of close to some Frisco Mikados, with the 6 axle tender and the single crosshead.