Best Of Spokane, Portland and Seattle (SP&S) 0-6-0 Project

[djconway]

Max, this is a work of art.
Beautiful job.

[Rob B]

I've been following this build since day one and couldn't wait to see your next post. After all this time the only thing I can say is my mind is totally blown. I'd challenge Da vinci to do that. 

[strummer]

I've been following this build since day one and couldn't wait to see your next post. After all this time the only thing I can say is my mind is totally blown. I'd challenge Da vinci to do that.

...except I think I read somewhere that Da Vinci was into HO; probably Marklin 3-rail...

Mark in Oregon

[central.vermont]

Max, the engine looks absolutely stunning!!! You did a superbly wonderful job and it's been a pleasure to be able to watch this whole process you went through to achieve such a level of detail. Simply amazing!!!!!!!!!
Now for the only thing that I think would really help with the look is you need to use some of that Neolube on the slides and rods and possibly the tender wheels too.
But that's just my observation.

I'm sure if you don't have any there is possibly several of us  on this site that could help ya out! 


Well done!!!
Jon

[mmagliaro]

First, THANK YOU for everyone's flattering remarks  (but I have to admit... it is darn pretty, I aint' gonna lie!  )

Jon,
I've got plenty of Neolube, and you'll notice in my notes that I used it in some areas on this engine.

I am on the fence about the rods and valve slider.   I have used Neolube on those parts before and it does a great job.
But in this case, I don't want to make those parts quite so dark.   If there was such a thing as "half Neolube", that would be just what I'm looking for.  I suppose I could try cutting it with some alchohol to make a weak solution and see how it looks.

I want to retain some silver look to the rods, perhaps just toned down some.   I don't want to make them weathered gray the way the prototype photo looks.  Although I did weather this engine, you'll notice that it's actually pretty clean, like the prototype photo.  There is dust and grime on it, but overall, it's a not all that filthy.

I shall ponder what I want to do with the rods.

[MK]

How's that book documenting this coming along? 

[Cajonpassfan]

I'm afraid I ran out of accolades some twenty pages ago....
Truly a remarkable achievement, beyond words. Congrats, Max, it's heartwarming to see something like this in done N scale! Thank you for sharing the creative build process with all of us, before you knew for sure you could actually bring it off.
Truly remarkable. My hat is off to you, sir!
Otto K.

[nscaleSPF2]

Having followed this thread from the very beginning, Max, I can honestly say that my head hurts.  Seriously, Max, congratulations.  Your perseverence is amazing.

[strummer]

I'm afraid I ran out of accolades some twenty pages ago....
Truly a remarkable achievement, beyond words. Congrats, Max, it's heartwarming to see something like this in done N scale! Thank you for sharing the creative build process with all of us, before you knew for sure you could actually bring it off.
Truly remarkable. My hat is off to you, sir!
Otto K.

Indeed, this could very well prove to be a "watershed" moment in the history of the scale. The bar has been set to a level few of us could ever have imagined. I feel fortunate in having been a witness to it...

Mark in Oregon

[nkalanaga]

Maybe they're going to do a set of SP&S steam decals, using Max's research, and add them to the line?

[mmagliaro]

Maybe they're going to do a set of SP&S steam decals, using Max's research, and add them to the line?

I don't know about that.  I had the set printed by Micro Scale when I did the 4-6-2 back in 2014, and I've offered them for sale ever since then (I had to buy 250 sheets, which is Micro Scale's minimum run).  Luckily, I sold enough sheets to make back my investment in getting them printed.  So Micro Scale has the artwork, but they have never expressed any interested in making it into one of their commercial products.  I will say that they are an excellent company to work with.  They are very responsive and they don't shy away from making corrections and edits until they get the work done right. 

[svedblen]

Congrats! A truely outstanding achievement 

[badlandnp]

Wow! Speechless! Wow!
 

[mmagliaro]

Considering the shiney rods, I decided to try using Neolube cut 50/50 with alcohol.  This does give it a less dark coverage, and I'm glad I heeded your comments.   I do think it looks better this way.  I used it on the rods, crosshead guides, and the tender wheel faces.  You can compare these photos to the earlier ones to see the difference in the rods.  I also got around to taking a nice "glam" shot on the black plexiglas.

[johnb]

Considering the shiney rods, I decided to try using Neolube cut 50/50 with alcohol.  This does give it a less dark coverage, and I'm glad I heeded your comments.   I do think it looks better this way.  I used it on the rods, crosshead guides, and the tender wheel faces.  You can compare these photos to the earlier ones to see the difference in the rods.  I also got around to taking a nice "glam" shot on the black plexiglas.

If I only had a ton of money and could convince you to, I would be begging you to make a model of Pacific Electric 1506 with a whale back tender.....you have achieved N Scale perfection.