The Return of the Ten Wheeler

Bruce_Chandler · July 9, 2009, 1:31pm

Back in the spring, my Ten-Wheeler suffered a fall from the highest elevated point on my railroad.

This was basically a 1:20 ten-wheeler built on a BBT chassis back in 2006. It started as a Bachmann Anniversary, but about the only thing left from the Annie is the bell. It has always been my favorite, but it sure didn’t look good after the wreck. I decided to start with the tender. The more I looked at the existing tender, it soon became clear that I’d just have to start from scratch. I took what I had learned from my Mikado project and built a new one from styrene. I was able to use the trucks, back steps, brackets, and water valves from the old tender.

There was no good way to repair the wooden cab. Anyway, I decided it was time to modernize the locomotive and give it a steel cab. I used .040 styrene to form the inner layer.

Next, I cut some .020" styrene and embossed some rivets. This was applied over the inner layer using contact cement.

The roof is not as smooth as I’d like, but it’s just the inner layer. It was SO nice yesterday, I took it outside to finish embossing the rivets on the roof.

This was glued to the first layer and clamped in place.

I’m attempting to finish it in time for the Invasion, but it’s sure getting close. The nice weather makes it hard to work in the basement shop.

JRad · July 9, 2009, 1:41pm

Yes - we are finally getting the late Spring weather we got robbed of in May/June.

The cab and tender look great. It’s a drag that you had the crash, but with what you’ve learned since the 10 Wheeler was first converted to 1:20, you’ll probably end up with an even nicer loco. I’m sure if it still had a Bachman chassis it would have just stayed in the dead line.

And I hear you about getting close. We leave Friday evening this week. I really want to bring the Shay, but I’ve had no time to build a carrier or to set up the coupler for Kaydees. I can do the set-up on the road during the week, but I need to come up with some way to carry it safely short of the original box. Probably a quick and dirty pair of ends for the metal carrier.

altterrain · July 9, 2009, 3:51pm

I kind of liked the lumpy roof. It looked like a loco that might have rolled over into a gulley or something and pulled back out .

-Brian

lownote · July 9, 2009, 7:02pm

Nice job on the tender. Really nice. That’s really a level to aspire to.

I think that engine will look better with a metal cab.

But I’m annoyed that you’re spending time away from the Mikado!

AndyC · July 9, 2009, 8:41pm

Great looking work, Bruce…

cabby · July 9, 2009, 8:58pm

Good luck with your deadline.
Nice job.
That’s two tenders you’ve built this year.
I think your output exceedes some of the Chinese factories :lol:
Ralph

Rooster · July 10, 2009, 12:16am

Bruce,
I love the 2nd to last picture (I believe) with your stamping table set up “outside”
The last picture is going to give me “giant beetle” nightmare’s

Bruce_Chandler · July 10, 2009, 9:40pm

Major bummer.

I was applying some dry transfer numbers to the cab and one took very nicely. The next one just cracked apart and wouldn’t stick at all. So, I now have a hand painted number as I only had two number fours.

And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, when I applied the Krylon satin clear it turned white instead of clear. Or opaque, if you will. Grr.

cabby · July 10, 2009, 10:56pm

Recently I’ve been having some quality issues with spray paint/finishes.
Most common is the paint comes out in big “blobs” instead of a fine spray.
Also extreme color differences in paint that is supposed to be the same color. Of course, I expect small variations in color from can to can.
Just today I started to paint some white trim on some parts I had sprayed red two days ago. Instantly my brush started turning pink. Both paints were enamel.
The problems don’t seem to be limited to one particular brand.
Maybe this stuff is sitting on the shelves too long before we buy it.
Ralph

David_Marconi_FOGCH · July 10, 2009, 11:05pm

Bruce,
Sorry to hear you’re having a bad day hope it’s fixable, but I know removing that finish isn’t fun.

Ralph,
Try warming the can first for the spray paint. Let those drastic color differences sit for a week between colors and also if possible dry brush a base coat on first and let it sit for a day.

Dave

cabby · July 10, 2009, 11:48pm

David Marconi said:
Bruce, Sorry to hear you're having a bad day hope it's fixable, but I know removing that finish isn't fun.
Ralph,
Try warming the can first for the spray paint. Let those drastic color differences sit for a week between colors and also if possible dry brush a base coat on first and let it sit for a day.

Dave

Thanks Dave,
But I really don’t think the problem is anything I’m doing.
I mean, how much warmer does the paint need to be when it’s 90 degrees outside?
Or waiting 48 hours to paint over when the can states 24 hours…also in summer temperatures.
Just bought a can a few weeks ago…no propellant.
It’s gotten so bad lately that I buy two cans when I need only one.
I would buy an airbrush to avoid the QC problems, but I hate the mess from cleaning.
Ralph

Dennis_Paulson · July 11, 2009, 1:30am

Harbor Freight sometimes have the air brushes for $5 , or so , dont clean it just throw it away .

Bruce_Chandler · July 12, 2009, 7:00pm

All painted and ready to go.

(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/Rebuild/IMG_6360.JPG)

(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/Rebuild/IMG_6363.JPG)

(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/Rebuild/IMG_6372.JPG)

(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/TenWheeler/Rebuild/IMG_6374.JPG)

I’m not sure if I need to do anything else, but at least it’s ready enough for the Invasion.

cabby · July 12, 2009, 7:28pm

Looks wonderful, Bruce.
And time to spare
Ralph

Ken_Brunt · July 12, 2009, 7:55pm

Bruce Chandler said:
I'm not sure if I need to do anything else, but at least it's ready enough for the Invasion.

Oh, I'm sure we can find something on it to nit pick about.....................;)

Good job, BTW…

Ray_Dunakin · July 12, 2009, 8:04pm

Bruce Chandler said:
And, as if that wasn't bad enough, when I applied the Krylon satin clear it turned white instead of clear. Or opaque, if you will. Grr.

That could be caused by high humidity.

David_Marconi_FOGCH · July 12, 2009, 8:27pm

Like the new look Bruce.

lownote · July 12, 2009, 8:43pm

Looks really great, completely professional. But I liked the green–new color scheme on the J&B?

Bruce_Chandler · July 13, 2009, 7:04pm

Thanks guys. No, I’m still going with cream and green for the RR colors, but that green (Krylon Hunter Green) never looked as good as I wanted on a locomotive. As soon as I sprayed the Krylon black satin on a few pieces I was sold on the new color.

AndyC · July 13, 2009, 9:25pm

Nice rebuild job, Bruce, and just in time for the invasion…