Nn3 Rio Grande Southern 2-6-0 build

[peteski]

Looking good Paul. Too bad that this loco has the old 3-pole motor.  The new 5-pole version is a bit better.  But I'm sure yours will be OK too.

[160pennsy]

Looking good Paul. Too bad that this loco has the old 3-pole motor.  The new 5-pole version is a bit better.  But I'm sure yours will be OK too.

Hello Peteski,

Regarding the 3-pole motor, I had it upgraded to a 5-pole version and it definitely runs better.

Did some more work on the kit by fabricating the pilot truck connecting bar from the supplied .010" brass sheet, drilling the appropriate holes and cutting it out with my small scissors. The front portion of the Marklin gear cover plate had to be ground down to provide clearance for the rear pilot truck wheels.





It was time to start work on the tender. First step was fitting 0-80 nuts into the bottom of the resin tender shell and then trimming some 3/8" 0-80 flat head screws to hold it to the cast metal tender floor. I want to have electrical pickup from the tender wheels so I used Micro Trains arch bar trucks, Fox Valley 36" metal wheels and SBS bronze axle wipers. Some spacers for the trucks had to be made out of .188" styrene to lift the tender floor high enough for coupler mounting. The rear of the tender shell also need a hole to allow clearance for the nylon screw hardware. Waiting to install the bronze axle wipers until I get some small diameter flexible wire. Trying to figure out how to keep the nylon screw & nut hardware tight but to still allow the trucks room to swivel and keep the bronze wipers in contact with the axles..any Railwire members have experience in this area?







Took some photos with the engine and tender together so I can start work on the tender drawbar and to see how things look. Next steps will be to wire the tender trucks, route the wires to the engine, install a coupler and test the pulling power.

[Chris333]

Very nice 

[peteski]

Looking good!

[mmagliaro]

Paul, I sure do love a good craftsman project!   Looks really nice.  The proportions all around just look
"right".   Keep up the good work.  I'm enjoying following along!

[Cajonpassfan]

I was enjoying it too; any progress?
At least you could use some of that Neolube
Regards, Otto K.

[160pennsy]

I was enjoying it too; any progress?
At least you could use some of that Neolube
Regards, Otto K.

Hello Otto,

Should have another update soon but I've also been distracted and purchased the next "New Shiny Thing"

https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/nn3_scale/5002.html

Look for a build article by Tom Knapp in the upcoming N Scale Magazine

[Cajonpassfan]

Oh, that new "shiny thing" is a stunner, I didn't realize Showcase made a Nn3 Shay kit
You have an excellent excuse, sir!
Otto K.

[delamaize]

Hello Otto,

Should have another update soon but I've also been distracted and purchased the next "New Shiny Thing"

http://www.showcaseminiatures.net/nn3.html

Look for a build article by Tom Knapp in the upcoming N Scale Magazine

I wonder if you could modify the Atlas shay parts to make the shafts and crank spin.

[Chris333]

I wonder if you could modify the Atlas shay parts to make the shafts and crank spin.

Sure if you want a $150 shaft.

[peteski]

Sure if you want a $150 shaft.