One of my favorite locomotives of all time.
She was the largest 2-foot gauge locomotive to ever operate in the United States.
(Although not the largest 2-foot gauge steam loco ever..the 2-foot gauge Garratts of South Africa and Wales are larger.)
But she was the largest ever Maine 2-footer, which gives her a special place in history.

She was built by Baldwin in October 1913. 
Baldwin builder #40733
32 tons
Almost 50' long (including tender)
11' tall and 7.5' wide. (7.5 feet wide riding on rails only 2 feet apart!)

She was the second to last SR&RL engine, (followed only by #24 in 1919)
She served as "heavy road power" on the SR&RL system for 19 years until retired in 1932. 
The SR&RL ceased all operations in 1935, and sadly #23 was scrapped in 1936. 
 
 

I want to build a model of #23 in On2 scale! 
I discovered the Bachmann On30 outside frame 2-8-0 might make a good starting place
for a major kitbash into #23..but can it be done?

First step..answer the question, is it even possible?
can this:

be turned into this??:

and if it is possible, do I want to attempt it?
the answers to those questions are "maybe" and "absolutely"! 

I dont even OWN a Bachmann 2-8-0 yet!
all this factoring so far is being done with drawings and dimensions of the model gleaned from
the internet.

Using one of my favorite modeling methods, "photoshop kitbashing", I started cutting drawings
and photos of the Bachmann engine apart to see how it looks.

Things I know so far that *will* work fine:

1. The bachmann boiler is a nearly perfect match for #23. excellent diamater match, and dome
    placement is "close enough" for me.

2. Cab can work, with cutting and rebuilding, not a big deal.

3. front pilot truck is fine.

Things that are iffy..might or might not work:

1. Boiler,cylinders and pilot will have to be lowered, while drivers are not lowered.
    will this work? unknown.

2. Can the existing Bachmann frame allow the drivers to be narrowed to On2?
    based on measurements and reports from on-line forums, the answer appears to be no.
    thats a major problem! the biggest problem with this entire bash in fact.

3. The bachmann driver spacing is too close for #23..I could overlook that if the B-mann frame
    could be retained..I would simply make a "shortened" #23.

But...if the Bachmann frame cant be retained anyway, and I need to scratch build a new frame,
I might as well lengthen the driver spacing to make it correct!
that would require new siderods..I may have an answer..Bowser HO scale siderods:

(will also likely require new main rods, if I used the longer Bowser siderods)

Well..it works on paper!
real-life is another matter entirely..

I would retain the Bachmann running gear, even if its not a perfect match for #23..

New trailing truck will have to be scratchbuilt..
I have heard rumours of On2 parts "out there"..such as brass trailing trucks,
but I havent seen an actual trailing truck for #23 yet..

Bachmann tender body can probably be cut and modified..
new tender trucks will be needed.

well..I guess the next step is to buy a On30 consolidation and take it apart!
scary! 

I have already done a similar bash, in 29n2 scale:

https://scotlawrence.github.io/29n2/index.html

but that was large scale...O scale is much smaller..
im not used to working with such small models!

I think I will get an engine, take it apart, and look at the frame first..see what needs to be done there.
If this concept *wont* work, I can put the engine back together and still have a non-destroyed model..
maybe! 
its always risky cutting up a perfectly good and expensive model, not even knowing if what you want to build is possible...

(and as for the cost..if this does work, I can have a model of #23 for only $150!
On2 models of #23 *are* already available..but only in brass..and not for $150!  )

the question is..can I pull it off?
we shall see..
someday I would like to get into lathe and milling work, but I dont have that option yet.
so if I do have to make a new frame, I will have to build it by hand out of brass..
tricky and scary..but I have guidance from my Large scale world..check out this cool article.

This will be my most ambitious 'bash yet..
but im willing to give it a go..
stay tuned..
 
 

Go to page 2
 

Quick jump to individual pages:

Page 2 - Deconstruction begins.
Page 3 - Starting the cab, and a new direction?
 
 

Scot Lawrence.
Rochester, NY
Page started September 10, 2006.

sscotsman@yahoo.com

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