After recently thinking of obtaining some D&S Narrow-gauge R.R. coaches, I noticed on You-tube the Rio Grande #315 C-18 recently restored. While no doubt physically larger than the little Aristo C-16, I noticed many similarities and was willing to forgo any inaccuracies to build something similar. First step is complete disassembly. I could not exactly remember how I had disassembled these some years ago and so this was a learning curve.
This is a new project for me and only time will tell how long it takes to finish it off. First modification was to reattach those pesky ‘rivetted’ cab sideplates. I have yet to receive a steel cab C-16 that does not have some issue with these stuck on cab sides. Second step is rearranging the sand dome position.
Tonight, I cut through the boiler just aft of the boiler band at the smokebox. I then cut the boiler just forward of the boiler band at the front edge of the steam dome. The removed boiler section was then rotated 180 degrees and the boiler reassembled. The mounting sleeve thickness on the smokebox required a little filing down to allow the rotated boiler section to fit. The end result is a more prototypical sand dome arrangement, just forward of the steam dome and the bell midway between the stack and the sand dome. I will need to cut a slot in the underside of the boiler, at the forward end, to allow the footboard mount to slot back in. Surprisingly, the entire process was relatively easy. I used the integral weight to line up the boiler sections when gluing together.
Assuming no problems, this should be an ‘easy’ conversion. I will most likely take a shortcut and not fit the raised footboard on the right hand side, unless I see an easy way to do it. In due course, the siderod will be extended to fit to the number three axle. This will visually lessen the height discrepancy with the cylinders. I really do not want to lower the drive, although it does not look difficult to do.
