Gotta ask if you know something about their valve gear. To get linkage from cab to swiveling power bogie, on the larger locos (but not some of the smaller) the reverse rod ran from cab to an arm - to a lever assembly on top of boiler - on a rod across boiler top, rod being integrated into bell mount - to hinged arms down to whatever the valve motion part was called. Ah, Google found an illustration. Not much in the way of Mason Bogie locomotives gets dredged up on Google image searches. Okay, how do you make this not show the image, hotlink I believe it’s called - usually take off the http:// and leave the www. except there’s no www. in this link, is only the http:// and then craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/GouldCAD-21.jpg And the fellow sells a set of 1:24 and/or 1:20.3 plans for the thing too http://www.gouldstudios.com/store_loco.html Forty bucks, huh? Hmm . . .
Forrest,
this method of valve gear selection/actuation was peculiar to the Masons. Location varied depending on wheel configuration. On some the rodding was integral with the bell mount. By the time Mallets were designed/built, ‘simpler’ methods had been designed. I believe the design intent would be to position the vertcal actuating rods basically at the pivot point of the truck. This would minimise truck swing movement from influencing gear movement input. Consider the brake rodding on a piece of rolling stock. The design is such as to eliminate brake rod movement when the truck pivots.
I was tempted to include such a method of actuation on my model, but as I consider this form of valve selection/actuation as a 19th century design thought, I wanted a more modern approach on my locomotive.Tim Brien said:
Almost ready to paint. Today, I worked on the drive. Every rod required remaking due relocated axle locations.(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/1zmbt.JPG)
Looks great so far Tim 
Forrest Scott Wood said:
Ah, Google found an illustration. Not much in the way of Mason Bogie locomotives gets dredged up on Google image searches.
Ya just gotta know where to look… http://www.ironhorse129.com/Prototype/MasonBogie/Mason_Bogie.htm http://www.ironhorse129.com/prototype/masonbogie/NPC_Masons.htm http://www.ironhorse129.com/prototype/masonbogie/South_Park_Masons1.htm http://www.ironhorse129.com/prototype/masonbogie/South_Park_Masons2.htm http://www.ironhorse129.com/prototype/masonbogie/Other_Masons.htm http://www.ironhorse129.com/projects/engines/NPC_2/San_Rafael_Engine.htm http://www.ironhorse129.com/projects/engines/NPC_8/Bully_Boy_Engine.htm http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/aff/21/aft/32404/afv/topic/Default.aspx There’s even a sort of prototype for Tim’s build…
(http://www.ironhorse129.com/prototype/masonbogie/Graphics/MexicoPan.jpg)
Tim Brien said:Makes sense :)
but as I consider this form of valve selection/actuation as a 19th century design thought, I wanted a more modern approach on my locomotive.
A very interesting ‘feature’ in the photo is the ‘tent’ over what appears to be a crew or bunkhouse car. Very interesting that it would be left in place during a move!
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Jerry Bowers said:Given that loco cab shows similar feature I'd wager it is a permanent fixture to help keep interior cooler in desert heat.
A very interesting 'feature' in the photo is the 'tent' over what appears to be a crew or bunkhouse car. Very interesting that it would be left in place during a move!
And raised height on caboose is to allow view from cupola, while as an added bonus, reducing glare off carbody roof.
Another project underway (has been 90% completed for about two years!). You have to love those Christmas Annies. A ‘modernised’ Mastodon for something different. While I am on a roll (three locomotives finished in the last month), I decided to give this one a new lease on life and get it mobile and finally finished!
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tim_brien/_forumfiles/1zmasta.JPG)
Whoa, that’s something you don’t see much of in the model world. I think in the real world N&W had some fairly ugly ones.
Looks great. I like