On30 Steam Kitbashes

A couple of recent On30 projects. The first started as an Athearn HO 2-6-0, a very nice mechanism. I modified it by adding parts to make it a 4-6-0, and then mounted a Bachmann On30 plastic boiler on it.
The other is a bit more exotic. The mechanism is a Mantua 4-4-2, the one with a can motor, and parts from the same Bachmann Mogul. Both locos currently run on DC only, and I need to wire up the 4-4-2 headlight.

[@jorgesabater8640]

I'm convinced this the best option for bedroom-sized layouts. Never ending fun and charm.

[@charlesdavis7087]

Excellent work. Lots of Love went into the whole place and I'm pretty sure that was my grandmother's house across the tracks from the General Store. Thanks all concerned.

[@grits3d]

Thanks Charles. I've been wondering who lives in that house!

[@DavidBarnkow]

The Atlantic is marvelous! The proportions relative to the boiler and firebox seem so logical and utilitarian. Great work!

[@grits3d]

Thanks!

[@chuchuchip]

I keep coming back to this video, the music is so fitting, the pace of the trains is relaxing, and photography is very well done. It doesn't get old, for me.

[@jamescarryl9690]

I was raised on the Cumberlain Plateau in Tennessee. The trains are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I would love to see more of your layout. I will subscribe.

[@garygresham1115]

Thanks James. I'm in Kentucky, near where the Cumberland River meets the Ohio River. Seemed like an appropriate name, with connections to the old country.

[@tracksidescenery]

Great looking machine

[@gillfowdy]

Awsome modeling and Funky Music!

[@grits3d]

Thanks!

[@Kegg_Works]

I have to say, I'm really liking the 4-6-0 and the 4-4-2! Probably the Atlantic more so! I might even consider doing an On30 Atlantic myself just for fun. I really do like that 4-6-0 also, and that's a GREAT idea using the Athern/Roundhouse 2-6-0 for the chassis! With the offset drivers it certainly gives the locomotive a more period look with that extra space between the middle and rear driver. I can also relate with doing sporadic projects. I juggle quite a few also in a variety of scales and gauges. A friend of mine calls is "Model Railroading A.D.D.", which I find the term humorous. Really nice work and keep posting! I personally can't wait to see what's next.

[@garygresham1115]

Thanks A.J. There was one narrow gauge 4-4-2, pretty close to this one, although the boiler was smaller. But that's part of the creative license that On30 allows.

[@Kegg_Works]

Gary Gresham Yep! I know exactly the one, Washington and Plymouth RR #10. narrowmind.railfan.net/442ng-wp.jpg A tiny little thing for a 3ft gauge 4-4-2. It often makes me wonder why such an engine was even built? Considering what Atlantic types have a reputation for. Though I really do like yours, the overall proportions I like and gives your 4-4-2 a "beefier" look. And I can take your slime gauge Atlantic a bit more seriously. Though I have to admit I'm a fan of slide valves on narrow gauge steamers opposed to piston valves, but I also have my acceptations. And that "Creative Liberty" is also one of the reasons I model On30 myself. I know that there was a York kit for an On30 4-2-0, to convert an HO Bachmann Norris type in HO. The kit was a limited production and has long been unavailable. Though I wouldn't mind trying to model an On30 4-2-0 on my own! Just as an example to the above statement. Again, really nice work! Can't wait to see more!

[@garygresham1115]

***** I was on the Bachmann site the other day, looking at that 4-2-0 chassis and wondering how hard it would be to recreate the elements of the York kit! And this is exactly the 4-4-2 photo I was referencing. Yeah, tt is hard to figure out what the loco would be used for. Beautiful piece of machinery, though.

[@Kegg_Works]

Gary Gresham Indeed it is. And it seems we're like minded with he 4-2-0 as well! I had sent an email some time ago to Bachmann about just getting the 4-2-0 by itself, but they said the only way to do that was by order the parts for it. What I find frustrating is how everything is there to build a working 4-2-0, except for the most crucial of parts... the wheels. Both the lead truck and the main drive wheels are always sold out. It's annoying frankly, to be so close to ordering a working Norris, but yet to be so far from it. I've also been blessed with artistic talent and I've created a concept for my own On30 Norris project. fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/124/a/8/BTMt__RR_No__1_Atticus_by_gunslinger87.jpg It's actually a little more "stretched out" looking than I'd like (presently redrawing a more proportional version) but is shows the basics of the concept. My thoughts are that for most of the details, such as the saddle tank, cab details, and some of the other locomotive details can be supplied by Grandt Line Porter details from their 8 ton model. A more realistic version of B'mann's Porter. The cab I'm thinking can either be scratch built or a acquire a cab kit either from Banta Models: www.bantamodelworks.com/images/t2083.jpg Or if you'd prefer a more open cab style, salvage one from the B'mann 0-4-2 Porter. (Or they may have one available on the parts site) I'm thinking about scratch building the tender myself using pedestals and chassis from Boulder Valley Models. They have a nice simple flat car kit that I think would do well. The tender tank can be bashed from some HO old timer tender shells or even an S scale narrow gauge shell. If one can be found. Yeah... I think it's obvious I've put a lot of thought into this already...

[@chuchuchip]

Love the Narrow Gauge "Atlantic". I also liked the music used, especially the guitar. Home made? I also play guitar, & model On30 trains. I never thought of combining the two.

[@michaelramsey82]

Never seen a narrow gauge Atlantic before. It looks fantastic! Is there a something similar on a real narrow-gauge line, or is it a completely freelanced model? Either way, excellent work!

[@chuchuchip]

Atlantics were used by the Santa Fe & the PRR. The PRR used them for the over night runs to NYC pulling a coach (to get around railroading traffic laws) & about 8 baggage cars that were used as darkrooms making newsreels for that days movie house viewing. They had large drivers for high speed, on a sort of small engine. I love the Atlantics, I have them in HO & G scales (freelanced). The wheel arrangement was never used in narrow gauge railroading.

[@grits3d]

I have a photo of a narrow gauge 4-4-2. It's a lot prettier than this one. It's somewhere in my files, and I'll try to show it in a future video.

[@SLOROB55]

I love your work. Are your passenger cars made from scratch? Also the awesome little flat car and passenger car around 1:50 to 1:57 I love to see them in detail. I want to do the Oregon Pony in O or On30. The guy at NWSL thinks I'm nuts. Thanks for sharing. Rob

[@garygresham1115]

Thanks Rob. The long passenger cars are stock Bachmann, with paint. I also opened some of the windows, replaced the glass, and added window shades. The short cars are all Thomas the Tank Engine freight cars from Bachmann, with couplers replaced. The caboose is a gondola with a kitbashed roof.

[@SLOROB55]

Gary Gresham Gary thanks for the quick reply. You have established high standards and are willing to share your experience. Much appreciated. Rob.

[@TFN5459]

Did you use an ON30 Bachmann 2-6-0 Boiler and Cab for the 4-6-0 kitbash? It looks really neat

[@grits3d]

Yes, the boiler, cab, along with the pilot and front frame and steam cylinders. The lead truck and spoked wheels came from an On30 Outside Frame 4-4-0, I think. It took 3 years of very sporadic work for both projects, so I might have forgotten some of the details.

[@TFN5459]

That's neat, its a very interesting kitbash

[@nolanroundtree3505]

is this the person. who makes these videos on this channel

[@garygresham1115]

Yup, same person. I have 3 different accounts, so it can be confusing.

[@nolanroundtree3505]

hey why don't you post anymore

[@garygresham1115]

Hey, I was thinking the other day that I need to post some videos. These kitbashes took so much time, that I figured there had to be a better way, and I've been experimenting with 3D printing to make On30 kitbashes. So as soon as we are ready to take orders, I'll start doing some videos of the new On30 locomotive kits.