I'm off on yet another brass loco painting. I'm coming much further south for this one. This is a brass PFM Southern Railroad class Ms-4 mikado.
I'll have more information on this loco in the coming days.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-260620171641.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-260620171654.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-260620171705.jpeg)
Another beauty Tom.....I'll be looking in. 8)
Quote from: GPdemayo on June 27, 2020, 08:47:26 AM
Another beauty Tom.....I'll be looking in. 8)
Greg,
Thanks for following along. My plan is to start this one sometime this week.
Tom ;D
PFM imported two different models of this loco. Both models were built by Sam Hongsa in 1978. The first release of 400 was a model with the Elesco feedwater heater and sold for $225.00. Later in 1978 PFM released 350 of the Worthington feedwater heater version which sold for $215.00. My wife purchased this one for me a few years after our marriage. I've had this model for about 28 years. This model has the Elesco feedwater heater like the SRR PS-4 Pacific.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720140927.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720140937.jpeg)
Continued -
Way back in 1995 I started the process of prepping this loco for the installation of PFM DC Analog sound. This model has been boxed and placed under the layout since 1995. When I removed it, I remembered I need to make a few repairs as the box contained a few loose parts.
Pipes were broken off the right side under the cab.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141011.jpeg)
I made the necessary repairs a few days ago.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141022.jpeg)
Continued -
Left side pipes were repaired.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141036.jpeg)
The front step between the support posts was unsoldered. This was resoldered as well.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720140958.jpeg)
Continued -
The rubber coupling was all but rotted away. This will be an easy fix at a later date.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141059.jpeg)
Diet Pepsi time, back in a few.
Back in the day, many brass models had some factory drilled holes for speaker sound in the tender. This was mainly on PFM models but some early Key Import models also had factory drilled holes in the tender floors.
From the late 70's til the introduction of DCC many modelers used the PFM Analog Sound System. Later Bob Longnecker, inventor of the PFM sound, also came out with the PBL Foreground Sound System. This system was also DC Analog sound but Bob had plans for more advanced features. Some included Switchman, Trainman (consisting) Signalman and a few others. Unfortunately Bob died of cancer prior to this development.
In the photo below, note all the holes drilled in the tender deck/floor. The group on the right are the factory drilled holes and I drilled the ones on the left.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141110.jpeg)
The old PFM speaker was large and wouldn't fit over the factory drilled holes. So the new holes were required.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141213.jpeg)
Continued -
Also, for this large speaker to fit, it was necessary to remove a good portion of the coal bunker.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141134.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141122.jpeg)
Of course, now all these conversions and brass removal isn't required with the newer, better sounding and smaller DCC speakers.
Continued -
With the old PFM Analog sound it was also necessary to use a cam for the sound chuffs. Here you can see where I cut a hole in the frame base and soldered an axle cam to the second driver axle.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-030720141145.jpeg)
The loco is now disassembled and most of it has been soaked in Acetone for cleaning. I'll start painting on Sunday, weather permitting.
Tom,
I have been following your paint jobs, very nice work, especially the Mallet. This should be another fine outcome.
Stay safe
Bob
Quote from: RWL on July 03, 2020, 08:52:50 PM
Tom,
I have been following your paint jobs, very nice work, especially the Mallet. This should be another fine outcome.
Stay safe
Bob
Bob,
Appreciate you stopping by and for the nice compliment on the Mallet. This one will get some extra detail work as the SRR really did spruce up many of their locos.
Tom ;D
I'm about 85% finished with the Ms-4 loco painting.
All the wheels and frames are finished. The white on the drivers, pilot, trailing and tender trucks are all hand painted with Scalecoat White.
The steam chest cylinder covers and pilot are hand painted with Scalecoat Aluminum.
I'm still working on hand painting the boiler running boards sides. Other details are getting completed as well. I should have some final photo by Wednesday at the latest.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-110720175224.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-110720175306.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-110720175317.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-110720175328.jpeg)
Tom,
Wow! Looking great already!
Looking good Tom
Doug
Quote from: jerryrbeach on July 11, 2020, 08:34:58 PM
Tom,
Wow! Looking great already!
Jerry,
Thank you. I'm almost finished with the painting and moving on to WOW sound installation.
Tom ;D
Quote from: NKP768 on July 13, 2020, 07:43:22 AM
Looking good Tom
Doug
Doug,
Thank you, much appreciate you looking in.
Tom ;D
Hey Tom:
Looking just great so far.
Karl
Quote from: postalkarl on July 13, 2020, 04:50:06 PM
Hey Tom:
Looking just great so far.
Karl
Karl,
Thank you kind sir.
Tom ;D
The Southern loco is now finished and the seventh one I've painted in the past few months. I'm taking a break from brass loco painting for a couple months to work on the layout.
As mentioned, the running boards sides and driver/wheel tires were all hand painted with 2 coats of Scalecoat White and baked on.
The whistle and bell cords are .008 brass wire and painted with Floquil Earth to represent rope.
The cab windows were hand painted with Floquil Signal Red. The Southern decals are from Champ.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145119.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145131.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145142.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145153.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145203.jpeg)
The cab and doghouse roofs were painted with Scalecoat Red Oxide.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145236.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145246.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145257.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-150720145748.jpeg)
Tom,
Yet another superb job! Once again, I am in awe. Your color separations are so crisp. Wow!
Stunning model, Tom. Thanks for sharing.
Another beauty Tom.....great work. 8)
That's amazing! Love it. ;D Is the dog house where engineers that don't obey speed limits forced to sit? ;)
Quote from: ReadingBob on July 16, 2020, 10:44:51 AM
That's amazing! Love it. ;D Is the dog house where engineers that don't obey speed limits forced to sit? ;)
Forced to stand.
No seat belts.
Blindfolded.
Hey Tom:
She looks just beautiful. You can be proud of your work.
Karl
Another beauty to add to the roundhouse, Tom. Great work as usual.
Jeff
ACL 1504,
What follows applies -Crap, crap, crap:
poor lighting, bad photography, stupid looking scenery, wavy track work that goes nowhere (but in circles), ridiculous poorly built trees, wrong era vehicles, unrealistic water scenes, poor quality structures (including the actual benchwork), very poor painted engines and rollingstock etc:
not to you my friend! ??? However, all the aforementioned should list what all I remember and are impressed by your never wavering sicking talents. Stay healthy and keep inspiring those like me who utter your praise with a never wavering sickness and awe. KP-out...
Quote from: jerryrbeach on July 15, 2020, 07:54:46 PM
Tom,
Yet another superb job! Once again, I am in awe. Your color separations are so crisp. Wow!
Jerry,
Thank you for the very kind and generous compliment, much appreciated.
Tom ;D
Quote from: vinceg on July 15, 2020, 10:53:54 PM
Stunning model, Tom. Thanks for sharing.
Vince,
Thank you, I appreciate you posting a comment.
Tom ;D
Quote from: GPdemayo on July 16, 2020, 09:00:51 AM
Another beauty Tom.....great work. 8)
Greg,
Thank you my friend.
Tom ;D
Quote from: ReadingBob on July 16, 2020, 10:44:51 AM
That's amazing! Love it. ;D Is the dog house where engineers that don't obey speed limits forced to sit? ;)
Bob,
Thank you as well. The dog house could be used for that also. 8)
Tom ;D
Quote from: BandOGuy on July 16, 2020, 10:48:41 AM
Quote from: ReadingBob on July 16, 2020, 10:44:51 AM
That's amazing! Love it. ;D Is the dog house where engineers that don't obey speed limits forced to sit? ;)
Forced to stand.
No seat belts.
Blindfolded.
Exactly right Chip.
Tom ;D
Quote from: postalkarl on July 16, 2020, 03:07:00 PM
Hey Tom:
She looks just beautiful. You can be proud of your work.
Karl
Karl,
Thank you, this one was fun to do. However, when running it, the Judge and I found a short in the decoder. I'll work on that next week.
Tom ;D
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on July 17, 2020, 07:57:41 AM
Another beauty to add to the roundhouse, Tom. Great work as usual.
Jeff
Jeff,
Thank you for the compliment, much appreciate you checking in.
Tom ;D
The problem I have is that Tom makes this all look so easy! ;D
dave
Quote from: tct855 on July 18, 2020, 02:10:10 AM
ACL 1504,
What follows applies -Crap, crap, crap:
poor lighting, bad photography, stupid looking scenery, wavy track work that goes nowhere (but in circles), ridiculous poorly built trees, wrong era vehicles, unrealistic water scenes, poor quality structures (including the actual benchwork), very poor painted engines and rollingstock etc:
not to you my friend! ??? However, all the aforementioned should list what all I remember and are impressed by your never wavering sicking talents. Stay healthy and keep inspiring those like me who utter your praise with a never wavering sickness and awe. KP-out...
KPI,
Wow, two things come to mind here. One, you are crazy and secondly my mother paid you to say all that. Now, that said, we know you aren't crazy and my mother passed in 2004. So your pontificating compliment must be sincere.
You forgot one thing my friend. I'm still striving to be the painter you are and you have set the bar very high. I don't seem to be able to jump that high in my old age.
I do appreciate the compliment kind sir.
Tom ;D
Quote from: deemery on July 18, 2020, 08:08:03 AM
The problem I have is that Tom makes this all look so easy! ;D
dave
Dave,
It is easy for me now. But 40 years ago when I painted my first brass loco I was a nervous wreck. If my math is correct, this makes my 395th brass paint job. No, only about 50 of those are mine. The more I painted the easier it got. The one thing I dislike the most is installing DCC in the painted brass.
Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment, I appreciate it.
Tom ;D