N scale 3800 Early Challenger Build

[superturbine]

N Scale Early Challenger Build
Ok, I will admit it.  I have too many builds going on at the same time.  But I really like this engine and can’t resist. 
The 3800 early Challenger has only been built in Brass in HO scale and never in N scale.  It started as encouragement by Adam Draskovich who urged me to try installing a Bachman EM-1 on an Athearn Challenger.  While it does require milling the Athearn frame the boiler fits well and matches the profile of the early Challenger really well.  The cab is close and comes from a Southern Pacific MT4 casting.  The domes are shrink cast from an HO brass 3800 Challenger. More to come...




Jason Smith
Tomball Locomotive Work

[Loren Perry]

Nice work, Jason! These early Challengers are also favorites of mine and it's nice to see them about to be available in N-scale for builders to assemble.

Not being a UP modeler (other than streamliners that served L.A.), I can't find a logical place for these big coal burners on my oil-fed roster, but it's a real joy to see what you're doing.

[carlso]

As we say in Texas, Howdy Jason,

Very way cool! Bachmann didn't know what they had created with that mechanism, did they?

BTW, I am very proud to say that I built a "Superturbine" locomotive. THANKS!

Carl

[Cajonpassfan]

Jason, as we talked, way too cool, love it, another fabulous project. I actually need these more than the modern versions....how are you dealing with the tender?
Loren, the oil burners were all over Southern California and ran into LA and over Cajon before UP dieselized the district.
Looks like a good excuse to own one or more to me...
Regards, Otto

[Loren Perry]

Jason, as we talked, way too cool, love it, another fabulous project. I actually need these more than the modern versions....how are you dealing with the tender?
Loren, the oil burners were all over Southern California and ran into LA and over Cajon before UP dieselized the district.
Looks like a good excuse to own one or more to me...
Regards, Otto

Izzat so? Challengers in SoCal and LA, eh? I better do a little more research before I make statements like that! Thanks for enlightening me! Now I'm interested!

[superturbine]

Hey thanks Guys,

I am using a cut down version FEF-1 tender to make the 3800 oil tender.  Here is the tender in the very early stages.  It comes pretty close. I will eliminate one of the water hatched, moved the oil bunker lid and removed body side from the side of the oil bunker.  Of course the trucks are not correct, not sure what I am going to do there.
Here it is so far-

[mmagliaro]

Jason,

This one looks particularly good to me, even compared to your other work.   That boiler is so straight and crisp. 
 Really really nice!

[draskouasshat]

Wow thanks

[superturbine]

Jason,

This one looks particularly good to me, even compared to your other work.   That boiler is so straight and crisp. 
 Really really nice!

Ha!! 

That's because it's not my boiler, it's a Bachmann boiler!!

 

[mmagliaro]

Ha!! 

That's because it's not my boiler, it's a Bachmann boiler!!

 

Errrg!  I am embarassed.  Well, um, sorry, ... um... you do very nice work Jason, regardless of my comments! 

[superturbine]

I've obviously skipped past a few steps. Here is a pic of the 3800 which still needs a few more details.  But I think the build is a success.



Jason Smith
Tomball Locomotive Works

[bbussey]

Nice.

[Chris333]

I like that it is an odd Challenger that I have not seen or known about before.

[mmagliaro]

I like that it is an odd Challenger that I have not seen or known about before.

I like that there are more steam engines in the background than most hobby stores stock!   

All kidding aside, it looks real nice, Jason, as always.

[superturbine]

Thanks Guys , I really appreciate it!!