12-16-2011, 06:59 AM
@Wayne: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here. I had some hesitation between engine #136 or 144. Thanks to CPR's conservatism, you can run a 1887 locomotive on a late 50's layout.
@Alpha: Thanks! As I said, I got the MBE vestibule cab for almost nothing. The cab general dimensions are good, it fits well the Spectrum boiler withotu too much grinding. However, the resin casting I used wasn't very well done. I'll probably have to rework the ladders with styrene strips. At least it isn't warped and wall thickness is about 1/8". Spectrum cab weigth also fit inside the casting. This yellow resin isn't brittle, but still very hard to work. It also lacks a lot of details, including windows, ventilation traps on the cab & doors to tender (plain area there). For a kitbash, it's ok. But if you're looking to purchase a brand new cab, I would recommand getting something better, maybe a brass version. Few models are available on the market, in particular Arthabasca brass one designed to fit Spectrum 2-8-0 (about 37$ on their webstore).
Good luck with your 4-6-0. Sounds like an interesting project, hope you'll share it with us. Would it be that you're planning to put a vestibule cab on it? Anyway, I encourage you on this project, Spectrum small steamer lend themselves naturally to kitbash.
Matt
@Alpha: Thanks! As I said, I got the MBE vestibule cab for almost nothing. The cab general dimensions are good, it fits well the Spectrum boiler withotu too much grinding. However, the resin casting I used wasn't very well done. I'll probably have to rework the ladders with styrene strips. At least it isn't warped and wall thickness is about 1/8". Spectrum cab weigth also fit inside the casting. This yellow resin isn't brittle, but still very hard to work. It also lacks a lot of details, including windows, ventilation traps on the cab & doors to tender (plain area there). For a kitbash, it's ok. But if you're looking to purchase a brand new cab, I would recommand getting something better, maybe a brass version. Few models are available on the market, in particular Arthabasca brass one designed to fit Spectrum 2-8-0 (about 37$ on their webstore).
Good luck with your 4-6-0. Sounds like an interesting project, hope you'll share it with us. Would it be that you're planning to put a vestibule cab on it? Anyway, I encourage you on this project, Spectrum small steamer lend themselves naturally to kitbash.
Matt
Proudly modelling Quebec Railway Light & Power Company since 1997.
Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/
Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/
Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/
Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/