PRR 5365 Bachmann K4 with BLI long distance tender build

[Lemosteam]

Some time ago @draskouasshat traded a leftover M1 long distance six axle tender assembly with electronics to me in exchange for some CAD work (the ATSF #29 Dyno car was the result).  At first I was going to use this for a @mmagliaro inspired I1sa, but learned that the tender behind that was a welded, eight axle design, and the M1 used a riveted, six axle design.

Then the thought occurred to me that the K4 had used a riveted six axle tender class 210F75 for a short perioid in the late '30s.

This:


Since I now had a leftover K4 tender assembly I removed the electonics and reinstalled them into the M1 tender frame after making a styrene insulator.  I also replaced the BLI speaker with a 13 x 18 Soberton speaker and styrene enclosure:



Next, I created a 0.060" thick styrene drawbar that mounts to the BLI pin, and snaps over the Bachmann split post:

Bottom view:


Side view:


I tried my best to match the BLI paint on the tender when I repainted the Bachmann boiler with a Testor's DGLE concoction I found online, after taping off selected areas and finally installing a Keystone Details sand dome.  Not shown is the airframe green that the PRR used inside the K4 cab.



Some beauty shots:









The obligatory builders photo:



And on the latex landform layout with some of my recently built passenger fleet:



Sound video (wrong whistle I know, this was just a test after i assembled the tender to the chassis):

[Dave V]

Love it! 

Let us make the Sign of the Keystone in remembrance of Pennsy.

"In the name of the Curve, the Slope, and the Four Track Main.  Amen."

[chicken45]

Sexxxxy.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ugh. I hate those long distance tenders... but this is one sexy build nonetheless.

Great stuff John!

[davefoxx]

Looks great, @Lemosteam, but I have one question.  Is the trainphone antenna on the tender supposed to look like that or is the forward stanchion slightly bent?

DFF

[Lemosteam]

Thanks @davefoxx.

I still have to determine if any of these even had train phones OR doghouses, so I am still not completely done.  Still want to add a crew and add weathering.

[mmagliaro]

Looks really nice, man.  I like steam that's a little out of the ordinary, and contrary to Ed, I always thought the long-distance tenders were really cool.

[ChristianJDavis1]

Thanks @davefoxx.

I still have to determine if any of these even had train phones OR doghouses, so I am still not completely done.  Still want to add a crew and add weathering.

From the photo you posted, it looks like at least that number did have a trainphone. I do not see a doghouse, though. I believe I have seen a picture of one with neither as well, so I would go with a photograph of that engine and go from there.

[muktown128]

John,

Digging that long haul tender! 

Scott

[Lemosteam]

Well, here is a photo of 5365.  Definitely no doghouse, hard to tell on the train phone...

Gary Mittner photo:

[chicken45]

I love those big tenders, too. I like the really big engines, and I like the really small ones. The middle stuff is kinda meh to me. 

[Cajonpassfan]

Nice engine, John, that long distance tender really makes a statement. I like it!
As to the doghouse, and I'm no Pennsy expert, I always thought they were for the head-end brakeman, i.e. freight use. In passenger service, who'd ride in it? I could be wrong...
Otto

[Ed Kapuscinski]

In passenger service, who'd ride in it?

A flagman who's diet consists mainly of beans and cabbage?

[Lemosteam]

From the photo you posted, it looks like at least that number did have a trainphone. I do not see a doghouse, though. I believe I have seen a picture of one with neither as well, so I would go with a photograph of that engine and go from there.

So in fact it turns out that 5365 has an image, albeit blurry.  it clearly shows no doghouse, nor a trainphone.  Some of the road numbers with LD tenders had a raised handrail at the back for climbing onto the tender deck off the ladder, this image is unclear on that handrail. I think other images here show that, and not a trainphone.  Can you see a handrail below?:

Gary Mittenr photo:

[towl1996]

Pennsy hotness at it's finest! Love it!

That LD tender would make a nice kit, just sayin'