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

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

Hey Richard,

No worries. You'll get a condensed version with pics and materials for the Meteor as promised.

 

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

Presently, I am looking for the proper hanger/crosshead guide yoke to model the 76. I have come close, but no cigar. I can find the correct hanger, but not the yoke. I am going to purchase an old AHM valve gear set up that has the proper hanger. The valve gear is complete, ready to install. The issue is that it is for a Pacific, Berkshire, or Hudson. It may be too big. If it is, then I will drop back to the Mantua hanger for their 0-8-0, 2-8-0 and work with that. Details coming soon.

 

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

I received a Bachmann Doghouse from their Russian 2-10-0 for the Leetown Clearvision Tender kit. I checked it against a quick mock up of the tender. It will look good. I am going to start work on the tender while waiting for parts to come in for the locomotive. I took some pics. I'll post up shortly.

 

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

I am presently working on reforming the frame from a brand new Mantua 2-6-2 frame. I'll post up pics shortly. I didn't forget the pics of the tender. I'll get them up later tonight. I'm awaiting a shipment of tools from Micro-Mark.

 

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

After much searching, these came up on eBay and I won them. I confirmed the measurements with the seller and they match the Mantua 2-6-2 dimensions. They are from a HO Scale D&RGW 2-8-2.

These are the closest I could find the 76's valve gear hanger. I will do a little modifying with drilling the holes on the sides, etc.

Here are the pics.

Moving along with the build slowly. Still waiting on tools.

Randall "Manny" Morgan

 

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

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been in the hospital for Kidney Stones. The above hanger and steam chest has arrived and is waiting for me at home. I will post up pics once I get settled in. Also, I will start on the tender buildup shortly. What is holding me up is that I cannot decide whether or not to have the kit remolded so I can make as many as I want or not. I need to find a vendor who can do it. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

Manny

 

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

Manny,
Sure sorry to here about the Kidney Stones, I have had over 36 of them in my lifetime. Looking forward to your updates.

 

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

Thanks Richard. I wouldn't wish these on anyone. They will make even the toughest guy cry and fall to his knees. I have a 3.5mm and a huge 8.5mm in the left kidney. The right kidney has several small ones, not yet ready to pull out. They may pass.

Updates will be shortly. I'm looking forward to building this engine. I am trying to figure out how I can connect the floor to the tender body, so I can add DDC and sound. Shouldn't be too difficult.

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

Manny, sorry to hear of your bout with the stones. Have had a few myself -no fun for sure. Had a 8+ myself - actually begged them to kill me. Finally passed it and it felt like a boulder going thru me. Wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy - well maybe.
PS Love your new reefers.

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

Don't forget that I wrote up my conversion in one of the FMIG Newsletters years ago, although with the wrong valve gear guides. It's the first thing that the Gettysburg RR owner spotted when I showed him my model. I ran step-by-step photos in my article - even removal of one of the sand domes and filling the hole with putty. The model is in the basement somewhere. Doug Hughes, Ann Arbor

 

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

Well, these parts are a bust. They are too wide. The cylinders are a hair too big. But I caught a break and snagged a KEMTRON X-825 Walschaert's Valve Gear kit off eBay for $32.00. It is meant to work on the Tenshodo or MDC Roundhouse 0-6-0, so I am hoping that this will work. Granted, the valve gear hanger is not exactly 100% as the '76, but I'm running out of options. I could still take the previous unit, cut it, solder it, and make it work, but the jury is still out. I'm still hurting really bad with KS and now a bad UTI, that progress is slowed. I'm not giving up though. I need to do this project for sanity sake!

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

Thanks Doug. I'll try to locate the article. I think I saw it once almost 20 years ago.

 

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

Thanks Mike. I wouldn't wish KS on anyone, even my enemies. I have at least two, if not three surgeries remaining. Not fun at all, but the bed rest can lead to good modeling time.

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

They are downloadable from here on frisco.org. Try:

FMIG Newsletter 28, in four parts:

http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/fmig-newsletters.1665/page-3#post-9538

Posts 59, 60, 62, and 63

FMIG LINES 102

http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/fmig-newsletters.1665/page-5#post-9571

FMIG LINES 107

http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/fmig-newsletters.1665/page-6#post-9592

Doug

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

Thanks Doug. Found one. Locating the others. It's a little confusing to me, but I'm on my med's right now, so...

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

The major article is in FMIG LINES 107 - the others are background and photos.

 

Re: Scored a Mellor 432 Conversion Kit for Mantua 2-6-2 / 2-8-0!

I got it. Thanks! I saved it so I could have it for reference. I have the same Lee Town tender. I want to have the pieces replicated so I have this tender for all my engines. But I'm not having any success in finding a white metal company that will do 50-100 pieces. They all want thousands.

Manny

 

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

Hi Y'all,

Today I received from an eBay auction, Kemtron's X-825 Walschaert's Valve Gear. I tried the hanger and I have a winner! Everything is spaced correctly.

Now the back half of the hanger is the short hinged rather than the supporting rail type originally on the 76, so I will fabricate those and make it work. This is just too cool. I've posted up pics with this thread.

Also, here are the pics of the LeeTown Clear Vision Tender, with a Bachmann Russian Doghouse. Getting these is like pulling teeth. I managed to get one.

I'll start working soon. I'm real tired from the KS. Little by little...

 

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

An interesting note I found out about the 76 and the 77. Their main drivers were 44". The Mantua's are 50". I am going to see if there are any brass 44" drivers out there. Closest I've found are 48". This project is getting more interesting at every turn.