Keystone detail's streamlined K4

[Dreyfusshudson]

I know it was discontinued even before I entered to n scale.
Is it possible to purchase complete model or alternative plan(not bachman's streamlined k4)?

[pjm20]

@Lemosteam

[randgust]

I got a built-up one to fix as it really wouldn't work.   It took some significant mods to get it to work; mostly the clearances on the rods and valve gear into the printed shell.

The headlight was outrageously difficult, but worked.   I can see why John discontinued it, it's a really tough conversion kit.   I had to convert it back to DC to work on it and after I got all the mechanism bugs out, put the decoder back in.  THEN it was just a remarkable model.

There were significant specialized etchings, and like on my CF7, that's an investment, and when it's reorder time, you take a hard look at the situation.

[Lemosteam]

@Dreyfusshudson ,

@randgust summed it up perfectly.

I know of four that have been built as designed successfully.

Two by me.
A customer that I cannot recall
And Ernie, a well known custom modeler

As Randy mentioned, he had his share of difficulty with a customer, who surprisingly never contacted me directly, but I digress.

Regardless, I will never offer the kit again. I had to make too many compromises in the proportions of the model because Bachmann widened the cylinders so far past prototype, I could no longer maintain front view proportions and it looked like a squashed bug.

Beg Bachmann. They have already done the Skyline derivative.

[Dreyfusshudson]

Well, in fact I'm trying to make it with old minitrix/kato's pacifics.
I know it is hard to fit with it, but its better to trying

[mmyers]

I have a complete unbuilt kit. At the rate I'm getting special projects done it will most likely remain unbuilt. A reasonable offer would get it.

Martin Myers

[randgust]

PM me if you want any tips, as I've done the adaptation on the Bachmann successfully, and I've managed to make a reasonable silk purse out of a sows ear of a Trix decapod so I know their limitations.   John's printed shell was actually pretty good, but those Bachmann cylinders were way out there to allow clearance on the lead truck, and that ran into all kinds of compromises.

My biggest advice on using a Trix 4-6-2 would be to ENTIRELY ditch the tender, mostly the tender trucks, as that is the fatal design flaw.  I think Johns kit dealt with that?   Every steam locomotive I've got and rebuilt has needed a complete redo of any tender pickups to end-axles and full all-wheel pickup, the result is a miracle in performance that even exceeds the motor issues.

I think I'd recommend you beg, borrow or steal the kit instructions FIRST before you launch.... I may even have the .PDF.

[Dreyfusshudson]

I have a complete unbuilt kit. At the rate I'm getting special projects done it will most likely remain unbuilt. A reasonable offer would get it.

Martin Myers

Hoping your project getting well
Is it other streamlined steam?

[Dreyfusshudson]

Trying to find more review about this kit.
Or maybe someone to sell?

[Lemosteam]

Trying to find more review about this kit.
Or maybe someone to sell?

@Dreyfusshudson read four hosts back from this one.

This is a difficult, but not impossible kit to build, all of the instructions are online, and if you need the written portion send me a PM. There is also a lot of information here if you search for it.

[Dreyfusshudson]

I have a complete unbuilt kit. At the rate I'm getting special projects done it will most likely remain unbuilt. A reasonable offer would get it.

Martin Myers

Can I purchase it?