Minitrix PRR I1 question

[mmagliaro]

I don't know if you want to do that. The Minitrix I1 shell is the same as the K4 shell, which is inaccurate for a K4 and closer to a K2. I1s had much larger boilers and different dome placements. That is why Max used the oversized GHQ L1 boiler for his I1 conversion. It seems that these shells have been detailed, but the glaring dimension errors are still present. The tender shell may still have hope, but a better picture is needed to tell.

EDIT: Sorry for jacking the thread. Now return to your normal neolub programming.

Correct on all counts.   A much better bet would be to cast a Key Imports I1 shell, if you are going to do a casting.
(because I'm not about to let mine out of the house to be cast... sorry     )

[mmagliaro]

I just bought several I1Minitrix decapods.  My question is how to blacken the wheels and siderods.  I thought of handbrushing some sort of paint.  Maybe an enamel based paint?  I even thought of using gun bluing.  I like how Kato's running gear looks on their mikado engine and want to emulate that.  I have never attempted this before and want to get rid of the ugly nickel plated look.  All comments are greatly appreciated.


thanks,

Scott

NeoLube will work great on the rods.  However for the drivers, I think you'll find that while it looks great, it will soon wear off.
I would suggest metal blackeners made by Jax Industries.  You can find them on the web.  You have to buy a whole
pint, and it's not cheap when you add in the shipping for a hazardous chemical.   Some types of gun blueing
might work, because they are chemical metal blackeners.  Just be sure that when you are done, with ANY CHEMICAL BLACKENER,
that you thoroughly wash off the parts in alcohol and a soft brush.  If you leave any traces of the blackener in
there, it will steadily corrode the metal.

If you can find it, Carr's Metal Black does an excellent job.  But it is made in the UK, and I have not been able to find
a source for it for years.  I used to use it on my drivers all the time before I ran out.

[rickb773]

Konrad Richter was the owner of Camden & Amboy Models.
He's still around and is basically a mentor to me.

He evidently did quite a few models in the late 1980s (when little else was available). Here's the price list from the back of the package. (Note the address is no longer good).


There are eight photos of his layout (November MR Month Open House) on my November 3rd (2013) post on my blog: http://rickb773-prsl.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-11-09T13:49:00-08:00&max-results=10

[Alwyn Cutmore]

Rick,
I have seen that list before and it is very interesting. I currently own 3 X K-205 H30 Covered Hopper Kits, 1 X K-211 B&O Wagon Top Box Car M53, 1 K-212 Modified I-1 Eng Shell (Trix) with Long Distance Tender and a modified K-212-A Long Distance Tender (Only) but this one has been modified with the dog box added. They will all eventually finish up building my steam fleet. The H-30 hoppers are modified Atlas or whatever bodies with new roofs and the truss bracing on the sides. Considering how long ago these models were made and the improvements in casting techniques and materials they were pretty darn good. I do also have quite a few of the older early JnJ castings of rollingstock and a couple of the JnJ Sharknose shells.

Regards

Al

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've got one of the communications shacks. My dad had some of the car kits.

https://picasaweb.google.com/m/viewer#album/103328750375507168249/5246424977717612737

[VonRyan]

He evidently did quite a few models in the late 1980s (when little else was available). Here's the price list from the back of the package. (Note the address is no longer good).


There are eight photos of his layout (November MR Month Open House) on my November 3rd (2013) post on my blog: http://rickb773-prsl.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-11-09T13:49:00-08:00&max-results=10

I live a stone's throw from his old Harding Ave home.
Konrad Corperation still exists. That never stopped.

I have a long mill gon that he also produced sitting on my workbench because why not.

Konrad still has a complete list of everything he ever carried.
My friend Christian (who mostly just lurks here...) has two large binders full of what was Konrad's B&O reference material.



-Cody F.

[Pennsy]

Arrrgh. I remember these. unfortunately I was modeling UP in Texas at the time. Didn't switch to PRR until 2005 so I missed out on all this.

I've got some of the Traincat stuff and newer products, but I would love the tenders and well a lot of his other stuff too.

Jim

[ChristianJDavis1]

My friend Christian (who mostly just lurks here...) has two large binders full of what was Konrad's B&O reference material.

-Cody F.

Hello...

[VonRyan]

Arrrgh. I remember these. unfortunately I was modeling UP in Texas at the time. Didn't switch to PRR until 2005 so I missed out on all this.

I've got some of the Traincat stuff and newer products, but I would love the tenders and well a lot of his other stuff too.

Jim

All in due time. Hopefully...

[Alwyn Cutmore]

There were a few 65' mil gons getting around about the same time. They were castings by Raintree and were pretty good for their day but they were cut up ConCor 40 Gons or 50' Gons extended. I have a number which will make up a pipe train.
Regards

Al