Frisco #151 Project

My new Bachmann Spectrum was just too modern for my early era so back it went. My poor old Bachmann Oldtimer #97 is a poor runner and I'm tired of messing with it for now so I'm beginning a new project. The Springfield Library site has a photo of Frisco 4-4-0 #151, an 1886 built Rodgers. I love the way it looks and I had an AHM 4-4-0 in my bone yard. You probably can guess the rest. Here she is so far and I even added glass in the windows. Now all I need to do is shop for lots of detail parts! The tender shell was on old #97 but it's going back on #151. I need to make the tender shell taller to look more like #151's. This engine runs smooth as butter without stuttering or derailing. It has a much better electrical pick up system than the Bachmann Oldtimer. That's a big plus in my book. Early era modeling has its challenges. Right, Manny?

 

Yes, I'm thinking it's a generator. I've been looking through some Cal Scale detail items on Walthers website and some of the items looked similar and were listed as generators. Getting all the details may be a little more challenging than I thought. Some things may have to be "close enough". I'm OK with that.
Are those marker lamps below the stack on the side of the boiler? They sure are back pretty far.

 

Jim, it appears that the dynamo is directly behind the headlight. My guess is that the vertical cylindrical object behind the steam dome is the whistle.
Those are class lights adjacent to the stack.

 

Thanks for that, Keith. What are the two pipes in front of and behind the stack? Some kind of spark arresters maybe? Why on a coal burner?

 

It has a dynamo behind the headlight with it's exhaust routed in front of the stack and the pipe in back of the stack looks like the air pump exhaust. the classification lights are mounted way back by the sides of the stack, which is strange.
Yours is coming along nicely.

 

Thanks, Don. I learn something new everyday on this forum. Modeling the piping will be easy but I need to find a suitable generator, air pump and such. Any ideas? Anybody?

 

Hey, Pat. Could you post that photo for me. I only have the one photo to use and the more the better.

 

Pat, you're a trooper! Thanks a million. I see that the forward facing cab windows (windshields) are larger than mine but I might let that discrepancy slide. I like the fresh angle. I've really been working the cab over tonight and I wonder what color the inside would have been painted. Black? Light green? Anybody have any clue? Thanks again for sharing that photo.

 

I couldn't stand it! I removed the window glazing and enlarged the front facing windows with needle files as in the photo. I feel much better now. Pat, without your help I never would have known that. I also see that originally it didn't have a straight boiler. Interesting. This forum is by far my most useful modeling tool.

 

Jim, I've not been able to locate any fireman's side photos of a similar-classed locomotive, and I forgot to reference my copy of "Frisco Power" last night. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say a New York style air pump is probably more appropriate for your era and locomotive, as opposed to the latter Westinghouse cross compound pumps.

Don's recent thread on Frisco 739 has a couple of photos showing both types:

http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?5902-Series-covering-making-a-Frisco-739-from-a-PFM-NP-4-6-0

Best Regards,

 

Thanks, Richard. I've only used jewels before but I would like to install an operating headlight on this one. I plan on this being my "showcase" locomotive. I tend to hurry projects along so I have to learn slow down and do it right. I have to get a headlight that I can drill out for an LED. Wiring usually scares me off so I would appreciate any help. For example routing the wires and electrical contact points seems daunting to me. Thanks for the offer! I've. Ever installed a working headlight.