Cursed HO Steam Locomotive from eBay - What is This Thing??

A few months ago I was browsing eBay when I stumbled across this highly unusual custom made HO scale steam locomotive. The seller wanted over two hundred dollars for it so no one ended up buying it.
Towards the end of the listing I decided to lowball the seller and they took the offer. After receiving the locomotive it was clear it needed a lot more than just cosmetic work as it had derailing and electrical problems.
I did my best to turn it into something half decent without changing its unusual aesthetics too much. Its still pretty strange but at least works now.

[@darklordojeda]

I can't believe the guy was trying to sell that junk for $250. After your work on it I don't even think it would be worth $250 but certainly a lot closer to it. You do amazing work.

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah, someone coughing up $250 for it is insane. I'm not surprised it was there for so long.

[@Lord_Billy]

@@SMTMainline 250 for a non new in the box train is a scam but maybe you made it worth that

[@1964catt]

Don't be mean it's not that bad for being a custom made train, it's kinda good for what it is.

[@SMTMainline]

@@1964catt The boiler is decent but $250 is still an insane price for such a thing.

[@1964catt]

Yeah but if it was painted black and replace the face plate it would look good

[@larrysmith9359]

I liked the way it looked before you painted it! 😊

[@UPLINKUSA]

Me too.

[@j.mcq.8418]

Me Three. It was folk art.@@UPLINKUSA

[@SamHarrisonMusic]

Agreed. Looked really cool before the paint!

[@thegreenlaser215]

Agreed, the raw brass look was really cool looking.

[@CannonCountry]

Me too

[@dougrembowski5003]

I had that locomotive on my watch list for several months. I never pulled the trigger because I thought it was too crude for the asking price. Your video convinced me I was right! I might have been a player at 35 bucks, but it was just too much of a project for my liking. Keep up the great content!

[@David-yo5re]

Wow! Talk about Trainkenstein's Monster. I can't believe he wanted $250 for that monstrosity. I'm glad you were able to fix it up and make it halfway decent looking. You do good work.

[@gbwdude]

I think that should be it's official name... Trainkenstein

[@Lord_Billy]

You are so good at fixing trains you turned a semi working lump of brass into a working locomotive. Well done again.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@Lord_Billy]

y@@SMTMainline your welcome

[@Skyfire_The_Goth]

It is *very* steampunk. As a goth/steampunk person I can see what they were trying to accomplish, looks like they didn't get to finish it for whatever reason.

[@SMTMainline]

It looks like care and thought was put into making the boiler. Not so much with the tender, cab and front. Someone probably got tired of trying to make it run properly.

[@awr1050]

It’s beyond me how you were willing to pay that much for this thing, but it is partially brass, so I guess there’s that. I love these videos where you take in doomed projects and make them your own. I’m looking forward to more in the future! Thanks for the great content!

[@SMTMainline]

It's definitely worth more like $10 but since it was included in a video it should pay its self off fairly quick so I was willing to take the plunge for "research".

[@awr1050]

@@SMTMainline that definitely makes it worth it. I as well as many others like these types of videos so I’d say it was a success!

[@trainfan998]

The worst part is that the locomotive actually runs. I remember the lifelike subway units you got a while back. Those had sized engines but this monstrosity runs.

[@SMTMainline]

Yeah, it doesn't make much sense does it. I credit the quality of Rivarossi parts (with the exception of that wheel) for keeping this thing going.

[@pl42actherailfan]

It's always a good day when SMT posts

[@Dr_D0nut]

You bet

[@theshoeman7044]

Investigative skills: 100%. Troubleshooting skills: 100%. Problem-solving skills: 100%. Repair skills: 100%. Innovative solutions to unusual problems: 100%. Narrative skills: 100%. Harrison's skills are beyond reproach. And he hasn't met a locomotive that could not be rescued and perhaps even improved. Outstanding job on a very unusual project.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you so kindly! This is not the finest work I've done but it seems to run half decent so I'm happy.

[@MattKonsol]

That’s a pretty unusual steam engine you did as a project right there turned into a full runner. Serenity and really nice Harrison!

[@nighthawk_s5504]

Not gonna lie, that thing actually looks pretty cool now. I just recently found your channel and am getting back into the hobby after probably about 10 years away from it. I'm building a layout and have been debating on going DCC or just sticking to DC like all of my stuff is, and I think I'm just going to stick to DC and save myself the hassle of having to swap over all of my locomotives. At this point I just want to get them running again lol. Thanks for the inspiration to get back into the hobby

[@SMTMainline]

Not that there's anything wrong with DCC but I have both and find myself using the DC far more often. It's not too hard to switch over if you change your mind ether.

[@Fxe4014]

It is impressive how you managed to transform this morbidity into a more decent locomotive, my congratulations, excellent work!

[@davidjohnson497]

Way cool. This is my favorite vid of yours so far. I am a steam loco fan, and now I am calling this the GOLD loco. So fun to see you get it running and looking good. THANKS!

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@az80311]

Lovely job in bringing this locomotive back to life. You do such fine work and I am impressed. Love your videos.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you very much!

[@MozanaRN]

Your work on this rarity was quite entertaining. I like to tell myself upon completion of any project with extensive modifications such as you did in the video that this locomotive is now truly unique. Your locomotive is the only one like it on the planet. The fact that it runs so well and is able to pull cars with efficiency is quite an accomplishment in itself. I believe when any project is completed the end results is what matters the most. You did a fantastic job here. Congratulations and keep up the good work.

[@SMTMainline]

That was the idea with this one. I would have done more professional work if it was a more realistic model but with this one I decided to have some fun with it. It's not perfect but the results are what I wanted.

[@cjdavis2684]

I would have to say it is a interesting design even if it doesn't actually exist. Your addictions did make it look allot better. In honesty since it is such a one of a kind engine. I would had painted it up in a unique more realistic paint scheme and possibly had it be a special build of the SMT railroad. Design a color scheme you like for the SMT railroad and place it on that one of a kind engine. You may even have fun coming up with a story behind it. Just a suggestion.

[@SMTMainline]

I’m thinking of painting it black.

[@Brysike_dbs]

Yesss black

[@NotDaender]

eBay is hit or miss. I have scored some custom-made gems before, namely two Conrail streamlined diesels (E8A and F7A) that were obvious passion projects seen to completion, including custom paint, decals, brass details, and even a custom partial interior on the F7A. However, most of the time you see cursed stuff like this, lol. I appreciate you giving love and life to this...unique locomotive.

[@kurthenke2248]

I think this is one of my favorite videos. Kitbashing is a great tradition in model building and I think it fits well with non-prototype model railroading. Your improvements and getting it to run smoothly says a lot about your growth in the hobby.

[@aj50person82]

I see Halloween themed opportunities for this locomotive.

[@FrankTedesco]

nice work indeed! Maybe call it The Copper Queen. And make up a back story about it. Here in Arizona, copper is king. So maybe it did copper ore hauling from Globe, AZ to somewhere East to be refined.

[@tylerbell5113]

That is certainly a very unusual steam locomotive. I recently got one that was custom made as well. Someone created their own boiler and used a drive system from an old Tyco Mantua steamer. There was also a block of wood inside the boiler but I have no idea what the original owner would have used it for. I’m slowly working on restoring it so it will hopefully be a great runner someday. Great job getting this engine going again I have to say that it turned out to be a nice runner!!!👍

[@tjsimongoldenfigureoftheki3477]

Wow, amazing once again, another successful restore of Frankenstein 4-6-0 riverossi looking locomotive... fantastic work, Doctor SMT...

[@thecrazyrailroader]

Honestly it surprised me that you purchased this abomination of a HO Steamer, everyone's been joking about this online saying it's cursed and I can agree, but when your here you made everything so much better, to me it kind of looks like a PRR Pacific Type with the incorrect tender and I'm pretty happy that it actually looks better than what it was. Nice job again SMT, looking forward to using your videos on building that mini layout for a relative of yours and the Chinese QJ Transformation into RJ Corman 2008.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. Its still pretty cursed but at least it doesn't short or derail all the time anymore.

[@markxxx21]

You need to invest in a "sandblaster" to remove old paint

[@mercuryoak2]

When I heard you say that this was listed as $250 I was in shock.. there is a custom painted " professionally" Atlantic 4-4-2 by mantua and the seller on ebay wants $500. No joke in the description the guy says that this is worth every penny and is a gem and a collectors item. What's funny I got the same type of locomotive but it's painted by the factory Southern railroad included its original box from 1988-1989 approximately and I paid with two kit cars one pre built and a mantua box car for $40 so I basically paid $10 each at a local flea market. It's unbelievable what people do on ebay. I can hear it now the guy would say I know what i got and thats the price . Lmao you have more patience than I do man . Glad you MacGyvered way to make it work. Good job.

[@Tractors101]

Wanted to thank you again for the introduction to the old Varney trains, especially that old yellowstone you made a project out of. Just recently I was finally able to get my hands on my own Varney Yellowstone, with most of it's driveline intact so I can run it as it is. I am super excited to get it fixed up and make it a working locomotive.

[@SMTMainline]

Varney products are great. I'm glad to hear you found a Yellowstone from them, they seem to be pretty rare. Best of luck with getting it running 👍

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

I think I bought a train from the same guy who was selling a bunch of "fake" brass trains. Ordinary plastic stuff soray painted (badly) to look brass. I'm still trying to scrub paint off of the Shinkansen 0 cab car. It was only $25, but still... Your end result came out beautifully! Kind of looks like a B&O engine, love the front end you came up with!

[@SMTMainline]

I once bought a "brass" locomotive at a train show. It turned out it was die-cast with brass parts but the whole thing was painted to appear like brass...

[@astein7035]

Great repair job! As Clint Eastwood said in Heartbreak Ridge: “Adapt, improvise and overcome”! I have a similar talent for repairs. I’ve resurrected many old HO slot cars from the dead. Gotta love it when a plan comes together! 👍

[@andrewwillard5625]

Zombie Frankentrain cursed thing I can’t even describe it either Harrison, and not the bike tire light 😂😂😂

[@railfan475productions3]

I've seen that thing before, it looks like something out of a cartoon. Also I'd recommend masking the wheels before painting, saves you the trouble of having to clean them after. you're really brave taking on all these project locomotives, I'd loose my marbles trying to sort out someone else's botched work.

[@Amtrak_P32_712]

That’s an unusual locomotive! I can’t say I hate it tho.. It actually looks really cool when you finished with it.

[@JohnSchuster-yc6dp]

Fr

[@SMTMainline]

There's nothing else like it, for better or worse.

[@Amtrak_P32_712]

@@SMTMainline very true, it definitely is something that’s for sure!

[@bertcresta6685]

Congrats! Hell of a job getting this “thing” to run…quite well, actually. You took a hell of a chance buying it in the first place. 👏👍

[@SMTMainline]

When that wheel broke I thought I was gonna be at a total loss on it. I’m glad it worked out.

[@bertcresta6685]

@@SMTMainline …well, you had lots of spare parts, plus knowing who made the chassis (in this case AHM, I believe), is a good thing. But when I saw the wheel messed up, I thought it was a gonner too. Again, good work!!

[@NewTestamentDoc]

Perfect for a Halloween special live ride!

[@railstofails1396]

after the repairs and a few parts, it looks like a custom built PRR K4, and it actually looks rather half decent now. and that bronze color makes me think its an unpainted prototype for some reason.

[@ronprzygodzki5838]

Great job - you saved an oddball by re-Frankensteining the loco. Looks great and on-tune. Keep them coming!

[@suppylarue220]

hello Harrison. what you have is a tongue in cheek contraption created by someone with too much time on their hands. so in the junk bin they took a little of this and a little of that and cobbled together a Picasso HO, passed it around and the last owner added an Athearn cab, and at least doubled his money when you bought it.

[@SMTMainline]

"Lets throw the contents of the junk bin together and see if someone is willing to pay money for it" and then they found me. At least the boiler looks to have had some effort put into it.

[@wowdad3055]

Not worth 250$ dollars.the copper and brass was pretty nice, because it has a different look but bring in out more of train details would stand out more. I always like what you do and i know you don't have time.

[@super6954]

Thats a real interesting engine, I customize 1/32 and 1/35 scale tractors and construction models, if I'm not working on real machines. I use brass and stuff for those models that boiler probably wasn't cheap or a quick project that I do know. I like the updated front, but not the color, I think it would of looked better black with some weathering and some SMT Mainline decals on the tender so it would of been your own rail line engine ,but at the end of the day It's your engine and choice. Thanks for all the great content I'm not a model railway guy but being a mechanic by trade. I always find something interesting and different to my work to watch, when you fix up projects and do unboxings/ testing eBay goodies . Take care

[@SMTMainline]

It would have looked better in black but I didn't want to disrupt it's unusual look too much.

[@woozleboy]

While not a loco I'd want on a layout, in a display case it now has a story to it and that has value.

[@TSA-0245]

Awesome work SMT, pretty good runner. cant wait for the next one.

[@johncole9641]

It looks like someone made the boiler shell out of a piece of copper or brass plumbing tube. It’s a shame that even with evidently dozens of hours of work by the original artist, the value of the effort was not realized. Anyway nice repair work!

[@SMTMainline]

The boiler was well done in my opinion. The cab, tender and front not so much. I think someone got impatient building it.

[@colestrains1]

It’s always a good day when smt uploads a project locomotive

[@jasper_saberwolf]

Woah, awesome work pulling this thing out from the abyss! I kind of liked the “steampunk” vibe of the original boiler, but all the work you put in made it look and run way better. Glad you got it for way less than the original asking price 🙃 haha

[@racingraptor4758]

I like how you turned this overpriced frankenstein monster into a decent locomotive! Althought i think that a bit of rust and scratches (made by using brown and silver paint and thin brush) plus a sticker with your logo on a tender could do wonders to this! It could even become some kind off chanell mascot ;)

[@jeffbaker2897]

Well done son👍,you seen beyond the junky look, a little paint & your ingenuity made nice runner, glad I found your vid. 👋😎🛤🚂

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Harrison excellent repair, a very cool looking locomotive, adds character to your layout

[@jcure]

A new level of insanity in model train repair. Harrison has now reached the level of re-animating Frankenstein's monster. Oh my Gawd! And it's even now copper colored. Can a copper mine not be far behind? Whoooot Whoooot

[@quadsquad2.0bigtimeriding22]

You can make a garbage locomotive into a locomotive that will work forever

[@briandonovan9560]

I like your sense of humor. I guess that weird locomotive could be made into some kind of Halloween Special, get a few old Rivarossi Pullman cars and paint it up as the Frankenstein Express

[@SMTMainline]

I wish I had thought of including it in a Halloween special. It would have been perfect for it.

[@johnsterling7420]

Once again Harrison, the Wizard does it again! 👍👌😇Great job.

[@peterkordziel7047]

Well...to be honest that locomotive is a work of artistic expression, whatever it's original purpose. For some reason it evokes my sympathy, and I'm glad you saved it. With the amount of exposure it now has, it probably IS worth around the original asking price.😅 One thing I think you ought to do, though, is rub a little turpentine on the boiler to let some of the copper and brass show through. Who knows-maybe you can have a charity auction offering it as steampunk art or something. N.B. I think your channel is excellent. Thanks for putting it together!

[@bryanwoodward7687]

You put a lot of love in this steam locomotive…It looks great…

[@Heroduothecomedian]

All I can hear from the locomotive is "kill me, plz kill me" xD

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

I don't really like it as much painted. I think it could have been an improvement to just paint the plastic parts, but at least to me, most of it's charm came from the bare metal steampunk look of that boiler.

[@bryanwhat2268]

I was kind of surprised it pulled that many cars.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I’m currently working on a custom locomotive of my own. It’s a model of a US Army Transportation Corps S160 class 2-8-0. I’m using an IHC 2-8-0 as the parts donor for the chassis and mechanism. The tender and boiler shells will be 3d printed, and the tender chassis will be taken from a Bachmann 2-8-0. It will be dcc fitted with a 21-pin dcc socket and an ESU LokSound decoder.

[@SMTMainline]

Right on

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

Mostly the model itself seems like who ever was building it gave up at a curtain point and just wanted to get it to run Edit: after watching the repairs I can definitely rest my case.. especially after seeing everything fall to pieces accept for the best parts that where hand crafted Edit 2: pretty sure the original owner was going for a fictional steam punk look but honestly what you did looks so much more like it’s a sort of special occasions locomotive now. Fantastic

[@SMTMainline]

I believe you're correct. It looks like something that started off well and then was given up on.

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

@@SMTMainlinehonestly kinda sad, although what you’ve done I think gives it a decent happy ending for now. Ya got any other plans for it? If not then fair

[@NJEsperantist]

I think that engine was definitely an attempt at Steampunk, just poorly executed. Good save, Harrison!

[@WorldOfNothin]

The way this looks, this was a project for some kind of futuristic locomotive or maybe steampunk. Probably never got done and they decided to get rid of it or maybe they passed away, so family was trying to sell it without any knowledge of what it was worth.

[@Asurflinerrailfan]

You’ve found something I could never find! Good job finding that online and fixing that up!

[@thecreekwalker0174]

Your restoration looks awesome better than what it was

[@lucase.garcia8026]

I guess this was the engine that pulled Lenin's armored train full of gold and weapons...

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I thought that it was pulled by U class engine U-127

[@lucase.garcia8026]

@@SouRwy4501Productions That's what the History Channel says 🤫

[@dnhman]

That was an oddball for sure, great job on the improvements.

[@The1gamer35]

Is that train golden because golden trains are rare

[@MMRails]

Great transformation! Frankenstein’s monster to the Copper Musky.

[@christopherkilgore5229]

Definitely unique, and a little dangerous on the inside. But at the end it didn’t look half bad. Definitely giving steampunk vibes.

[@safn1949]

That is a nice setup, I love trains and I moved to the Philippines in 2018 as they were starting to build the MRT line. It should be done this year and I can't wait to ride, it's all elevated and it's going to be fun. This old man will feel like a kid again.

[@SMTMainline]

That’s awesome. It’s great to see light rail opening up everywhere.

[@rayvaul3539]

When I saw this on the thumbnail I thought, what is that??? It looked like something straight from a steampunk universe. Ha-ha-ha. It was a really strange looking custom design and wonder just why the person put it up for $250. But in the end, what you did with it looks great!

[@SMTMainline]

I think they hoped they could sucker someone into thinking it was a valuable "brass" locomotive. No one fell for it but they still got good money for what it is.

[@Fabulousprofound168]

What kind of steampunk monstrosity is this… and the inside of the boiler looks like something straight out of Hellraiser😮

[@adriannash2705]

Man this was a cool project, great work!

[@isaacwatanabe9599]

Not gonna lie, its a pretty cool build. 250 may have been a bit much but id say it was worth it for the craftsmanship that went into it

[@chrisdaniell2990]

Amazing someone saw enough value to even post it on eBay. For shame!

[@eddierools]

I think they were trying to go for a Steam Punk-styled locomotive build, which makes the fact you painted over all of the brass kind of a shame tbh. Either way, $250 is still outrageous to pay for something so cobbled together

[@antonbruce1241]

Great job turning an old hulk of a Rivarossi into something that not only works but works pretty well!

[@caldwellbutler236]

I have seen this thing on eBay for SO FRIGGEN LONG I can't believe you actually bought it!

[@SMTMainline]

It might have been there months before I noticed for all I know.

[@caldwellbutler236]

@@SMTMainline I'm fairly certain I have seen this same weird creepy loco for the better part of a year. Did you ever get your creepy Varney Berkshire painted up??

[@elleryparsons2433]

Frankenstein’s Locomotive Ahhhh!!!

[@casstelles]

The comment about the inside of the boiler looking like "a mouth of a muskie" gave me a chuckle. Overall, this project turned out way better than I expected. Also, the paint job reminds me of gold CB&Q steam engine that used to exist before its terrible demise later in its life.

[@TheUnknown-sh9vz]

Amazing how you can take something like that and make it run amazing look that good! I’m also liking the copper paint tone!

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks 👍

[@majmikecalnan]

You'll have to mark it up to your own railway, Harrison. SMT Lines (Slow, Miserable Transportation).😉😂 Cheers! Mike 🫡🍁

[@SMTMainline]

That’s the one!

[@rj29productions]

I've had rivarossi engines break the driving wheels in that same way

[@BritishPatriot662-4]

I think you did an awesome job getting that thing up and running, maybe black paint mor traditional

[@tredworthngaugemodel2753]

That coupler repair was really clever

[@Trainmanproductions]

this is one of those locos that you leave peaking out of a shed on the corner of a layout with no context

[@SMTMainline]

That would be super creepy.

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

He wanted too much for that thing, but i really think the dude made something that looked pretty cool.

[@MicroConstitution289]

One man's trash is another man's KZbin video :) Well done

[@SMTMainline]

Couldn't have said it better myself

[@Chaos42666]

My grandfather had a pair Rivarossi 4-4-0s that *melted* the plastic of the pickup drivers due to some weird electrical issues that, in part, lead to a scrapping and rebuild of the whole layout

[@SMTMainline]

I've never heard of that happening on a Rivarossi. Very strange

[@deeppurple3489]

It looks great! I'd add some number decals to it, si it doesn't look so plain looking!

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Hi. Nice video. Very definitely a strange locomotive

[@sp4439]

I like watching your bringing junk back to life videos, and this one is one if my favorites so far. One thing would have looked good was to keep the boiler bare and painted everything as you did. The contrast would have been neat.

[@SMTMainline]

That's a fair point although I might end up painting it black anyway.

[@F40NJ2CAT]

What a strange locomotive I’m surprised Border security did not throw out the engine, It also looks like a K4 at the end of the video minus the tender that is not a PRR one.

[@TrainGodismoreactivehere]

you know, the livery you chose for the locomotive reminds me of how CB&Q 5632 was painted into gold once.

[@aaronprewitt344]

Kind of looks like an PRR K4 after restoration, I’ve got to say I really like it!

[@bmwkid1993]

I actually didn't hate the copper and brass boiler, even the cap with the huge headlight.

[@P0nyB3h0ldr]

I swear I remember seeing that at least a year ago. It's been up for a good while longer than just a couple months.

[@SMTMainline]

Yikes, I wasn't aware of that.

[@randystrunk9774]

I think I liked the black parts. The 2 tone paint was a good look!

[@Nahuel_Luna]

Excellent video and great work! It's genuinely incredible the way you gave life to that attempted locomotive, you motivate me to return to an old abandoned project that is very similar, congratulations! By the way, in my personal opinion, you could paint it yellow and black with some red details, maybe it would look good on it, greetings! :D

[@legiontheatregroup]

Beautiful work. Very cool and unusual engine.

[@The_British_Director]

Nice vid keep up the good work

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Lucky that engine work good job