Central Vermont 2-8-0 no. 472 is back in service after seven years sitting in a box! |
This is an extensively detailed Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. It's actually a very, very early example of the model since it was the Model Railroader review sample. After Andy Sperandeo finished reviewing it he gave it to me
This is how the locomotive looked immediately after being pulled out of storage. |
I think the project was a little more involved than Iain bargained for - the photos here of the unpainted model show just how many details he added, moved, and removed, but it is remarkable how close it looks like a CV 2-8-0.
Views of the front and rear half of the locomotive show just how much rework and redetailing Iain Rice did to get this engine to capture the look of the CV prototypes. |
During the several months Iain was working on the engine another exciting new product arrived - a Soundtraxx DCC steam sound decoder. After the locomotive arrived back in the U. S., I installed the Soundtraxx decoder before painting, decaling and weathering the locomotive.
The original Soundtraxx decoder |
Number 472 was in regular service on both the first and second versions of my Southern New England. In 2015 I was getting ready for an op session when I noticed 472 was just not sounding or working right. I even mentioned it in this blog post.
She was "stored, awaiting disposition" for the next few years while other projects took priority.
A few weeks ago I dug the engine out the box and put it on the track. Not surprising the poor performance hadn't gone away with age. But I decided to swap out the old decoder and speaker. The nine-pin connectors made the actual decoder swap a simple matter. Swapping out the speaker was a little trickier, mostly because of the custom made baffle that I ended up having to remove to fit the new speaker in place.
I also took the time to dust the locomotive and tender off, and to clean the wheels and the copper pickup tabs on the engine and tender.
I'm pleased to report that 472 is back in service, looking and sounding better than ever!
Most steam engines (real and model) require a bit of work and a lot of time "in the enginehouse" took keep them running. I am glad it all worked out. It is a great looking model.
ReplyDeleteIs the caboose in the first photo a wood USRA design?
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the F&C resin kit for the center cab van.
ReplyDelete