Mystery Engine build???

[tct855]

Hello all,
          Thought I'd try something new?  A current build I'm working on this week.  From the ground up.  Test your eye skill level to see what it is I'm building, what material, what era, what model, what road, what history follows this Engine?

I won't say till the end unless someone guess' all 6 questions, then I'll come clean.  Oh the best part.  There's a prize!  Yes, you can guess that too!  Good luck!    First pic, these wheels are painted black with a gold or brass metallic stripes.  Air brushed all except the center black stripe on the counter weights.  Can you guess how?   Thanx Thom...


 

[Zephyrus52246]

Similar wheels to Engine 999 of the NYC.  It hauled the Empire State Express, reaching a record 112.5 mph on May 10, 1893.  It has been preserved at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  Are you going to hand build this out of brass?


Jeff

[tct855]

Similar wheels to Engine 999 of the NYC.  It hauled the Empire State Express, reaching a record 112.5 mph on May 10, 1893.  It has been preserved at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  Are you going to hand build this out of brass?


Jeff

Damn it!  R.U. kidding me? That's a stupid first guess.  Yes! That's correct!  Ok smarty pants, How did I paint the wheels and stripes with only an airbrush?  T...

[halrey]

Very carefully?

[tct855]

Very carefully?

Hal,
       Ha, yes it was a little time consuming. but that's not it!...............  Thanx Thom...

[tct855]

Hi all,
        Okay, so Dr. Jeff is spot on!  The man knows his engines!  The model is a older brass Gem model with little detail.  I'm rebuilding this engine (1 of 2) for a customer who's modeling the early era version.  Loosely based off the brass model.

I'm keeping it DC, adding some new upgrades and some cast and hand built detail brass parts, custom painting, custom decals.  My goal is to keep it simple (low cost) but allow for some interesting overall flavor of this historic locomotive.

I'll give some brief descriptions to go along with the pictures on the build.  I hope this simple brass build holds your interest to the end.  So another hint on the Wheels:  Airbrushed painted stripes, no tape or masking used. It's an old technique.  (a lost art).

Any thoughts?  Thanx Thom...

[jerryrbeach]

Thom,
Looking forward to your re-work of this engine, hopefully some of your techniques will apply to my non-brass engines.

[deemery]

I have one of those "999" put away, it's a bit beat up, so I'll be very interested to see what you do here!


dave

[postalkarl]

Hi Thom:

I just can't wait to see what you do with this one. I shall be following along.

Karl

[Zephyrus52246]

Sorry to ruin your fun, Thom, but the second I saw the picture, I thought of it.  Must be from all the trips to Science and Industry when I was a kid.   


Jeff

[tct855]

Jerry, Dave, Karl,
           
           Here;  catch the rope!  You're welcome to tag along!  Thanx  Thom...

[tct855]

Sorry to ruin your fun, Thom, but the second I saw the picture, I thought of it.  Must be from all the trips to Science and Industry when I was a kid.   


Jeff

Jeff,

           Ha, no worries!  It's a easy find if one knows what he's looking at.   Here! I got more rope, tag along.  Signed- Out Smarted...

[donatode]

Sorry to ruin your fun, Thom, but the second I saw the picture, I thought of it.  Must be from all the trips to Science and Industry when I was a kid.   


Jeff

Jeff,

           Ha, no worries!  It's a easy find if one knows what he's looking at.   Here! I got more rope, tag along.  Signed- Out Smarted...

Rope is O.K. just as long as you don't use ....

[tct855]

Hey modelers,
       
           Okay, so I guess since no one attempted to answer the question on how I painted the stripes on each spoke of the wheels with an airbrush and no paint brush and no masking.  That must  mean you modeling Einstein's already knew the answer.

I did another engine many years ago on the old forum. http://www.kitforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15986



This model is for the same customer as the others.  The process is the same.  I hand cleaned & filed each spoke as close to the center as I could get.  Then sprayed the front with etching primer first, then spray the accent color on. Baked dry, then sprayed on the black from the rear of the wheel spraying left/right/up/down on each spoke.  Taking my time is key.  Now you know the rest of the story!  Thanx Thom... The trucks are next!

[GPdemayo]

Neat trick Thom.....I'll be watching.