Saturday, June 2, 2012

Heavy Metal

     All during tonight's call-in Model Rail Radio show, when I wasn't typing, talking, or going out for a burger, I was happily filing away at the steam chest on my new engine kit. What was a lump of dull gray metal with flashing and mold marks all around is becoming smooth, bright, and shiny. In fact, it's hard for me to believe that Zamak (the zinc alloy used by Mantua) polishes up this brightly with just a file and a brass brush, but here's testimony. It's good, solid, metal that takes filing very well. And I'm even happier to find out that this alloy is immune to "zinc pest," which plagues and destroys early zinc castings. So three cheers for the New Jersey Zinc Company for their contribution to quality die cast trains! And if you should be thinking about bidding on older Mantua kits on eBay, I recommend them highly, based on this experience.

     Here you see a close-up from the original picture I took of the pieces. The sole plate is next on my list, especially the flat surface where it mates with the chassis. Brass bearings drop in, and everything gets bolted together . . . but I'm getting ahead of myself. Then again, I'm already thinking about how I want to paint it! Engine black? Faded, weathered, gray? Or do I want to go the rust route?

     I saw a picture in one of my magazines (and I'll find it again someday) of an engine entirely done in bright orange rust, as if had been polished bare, then left out in the rain for a week. The effect was amazing, and I'm tempted to try it. The metal on the sides of the boiler and tanks shows some surface imperfections that I cannot file down without razing rivets, and they look a little like corrosion marks that rusting might make. Besides, it would be fun to have a "forgotten" old soldier from a competitor railroad alongside the regular company engine.

     Bottom line: if everybody does it a certain way, then I'm strenuously tempted to do the other thing. Since I was a kid, that's how I roll. And anyway, for me it's all about having fun. But can I bring myself to do it? Build a bright polished engine, then rust it all up?  We shall see.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

New Engine!

     I just opened my latest eBay treasure: an old Mantua "Little Six" 0-6-0T kit, still in its box! All the little bits are still in their baggies, and the metal die cast is solid and clean. As if that's not good enough, I got it for almost the opening bid. Yay!

     For those unfamiliar (as I was until today) this little guy weighs a ton. The boiler is hollowed out to clear the worm gear, but the side tanks are solid metal. There's flash all over everything, which makes me drool with anticipation at the thought of all the filing I have to look forward to.

     There is one thing conspicuously absent: the instructions. I'm not too worried, as I'm a pretty smart cookie when it comes to things mechanical. I can pick out what most of the bits are without opening the bags. The valve gear looks a little imposing, so I may consult the council of Jedi masters for advice when that time comes. For now, I have plenty of prep work to do until then.

Click to enlarge!
     Although I've been absorbed in non-train related activities lately, my hands have not been entirely idle. I turned a little barrel and a couple more jugs for the spirit wagon. I even managed to carve a little bung for the brown jug on the far right. Turning the barrel was easy, but the test will come in the detailing. How much detail can I reasonably paint on? Hoops and staves? Recessed ends? We will see. I'm thinking it will be best used as a chair or in a pile, and get some nice castings to use center-stage. It just doesn't hold up next to the jugs.

     But getting back to new engines, I have more wonderful news on that front. Since it's a good story, I'm planning to tell it live on on our Saturday night call-in session. Looking forward to chatting with the gang, so I hope you all can make it =)