3D printed Coffin feedwater heater for N Bachmann Berkshire T-1 (B&M, ATSF, SP)

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

ATSF N Scale Models has designed/made a 3D printed COFFIN feedwater heater for the N scale Bachmann Berkshire. This print - plus a modified Keystone Details Lima Berk trailing truck, ATSF N Scale Models tender trucks and some additional brass/styrene/steel rod/wire - converts the Bachmann model into a T-1 of the Boston & Maine, which had 25 engines in total. In the summer of 1945 10 engines were sold to the Southern Pacific and 7 to the AT&SF.
The 3D print is made by Shapeways, in Fine Detail Plastic, SMOOTHEST. Unfortunately not available from my Shapeways shop because Shapeways will only print in the PRINT IT ANYWAY mode, available only to the designer. It prints fine this way but at my risk. Some parts of the design are just below recommended printing specs and adjusting the print would make these parts oversized.

All info (building instructions and pictures) regarding the conversiom can be found on WWW.ATSFNSCALEMODELS.COM. Go to ENGINES/CARS and click the last item. See also PICTURES.

Happy N scale modeling, Dirk Blikkendaal
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[Sharky_McSharknose]

HAWT! I have a Life-Like Berk I was going to turn into a B&M T-1 but I may just have to sell it and get a B-mann version instead.

[Lemosteam]

@Dirk Jan Blikkendaal ,

What mods did you need to make on the trailing truck? If it’s simple enough, I can make a unique model for the Bachmann.

Did you use the aux engine?

[peteski]

I wonder if this would fit the Life-Like Berkshire?  I don't care for the Bachmann's rather crude and toysh running gear.  Life-Like one is much better looking (and I can deal with poor pulling ability).

[Cajonpassfan]

Damn, Dirk, these are awesome! Great work!
Years ago (decades actually) I kitbashed the one B&M loco the Santa Fe rebuilt (4197?) with an Elesco FWH using an MRC(!) berk shell on an Atlas Mike chassis...long ago since sold. Your work continues to amaze and inspire me...
Otto

[kiwi_al]

Awesome! I'll have to order some. Since you are reading my mind can you make all the other ATSF things I've been thinking of? 

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Let me guess whats on your wish list / mind ......

Blue Goose 3460 skirted and deskirted  .....
M-160 doodle bug (orginal, re-engined and present)  ....
Amos and Andy / rebuilt bulldog nose 1 A + B / 2611 ......

 

John,

Thanks for the offer on the truck design. Unfortunately I had to strip your nice LL Berk truck quite a bit...... the forward pivot point/hole does not match the Bachmann and the back/end part gets in the ways of the Bachmann drawbar pin. What remains are the truck sides and the cross bearer (flat on top and bottom). Viewed from the side thats fine for me.  You can read/see all adjustments on my website but I will send you a PM with some detailed info (later). [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Peteski,

Unfortunately I cannot check the LL Berk (do not have one)..... OD of the Coffin feedwater heater / boiler front is 14,2 mm ...... but not sure whether the attached pipes will clear the LL front steps or attach to the cylinders and running board...... for me operational usefulness is quite important...... so I prefer the metal engine shell of the Bachmann (much better pulling power)..... a little tweaking of the sound decoder running CV's produces a very good running model...... as per SPOOKSHOW reviews.


Otto,   

Those were the good old days....... those Rowa/MRC engines were quite nice (but needed a new Sagami motor)...... I also made a 4197 using the same Bachmann Berkshire a few years ago.... see picture.
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[Cajonpassfan]

Nice! I sold mine once I realized it had no place on my Cajon layout (and the old Atlas RR mech left a lot to be desired). Yours looks much better!
Otto

[superchief]

great job Dirk!!! Gordon

[thomasjmdavis]

Beautiful locomotive. 

Great to see some ATSF steam

Let me guess whats on your wish list / mind ......

Blue Goose 3460 skirted and deskirted  .....
M-160 doodle bug (orginal, re-engined and present)  ....
Amos and Andy / rebuilt bulldog nose 1 A + B / 2611 ......

Amos and Andy with rebuilt noses....- now there are a couple ugly locomotives.  Would be hard to pass those up if the conversion isn't too hard. (Would they fit an E8 chassis?  Maybe an E8B?)

[ncbqguy]

1A and 1B would be good along with EMC 511 and 512 (1C) (EMC Demo and CB&Q and AT&SF) units and the B&O/Alton/GM&O versions as long as the CAD changes would be slight in the scheme of things.  The trucks on the bulldog Amos n Andy would be a big problem because of the B+ lead unequal axle spacing unlike any mech in any scale.   The standard EMC would be easier....a long time ago I figured out the Kato EF65 without the center truck using Con-Cor U50 wireframes would work...probably something more current can be used.
Charlie Vlk   

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Charlie..... would you - or others - object if I adapt for example a Kato E-8 chassis with a new 3D printed (irregular spaced axles) side frame for the rebuilt 1 or 10 spot?  I do know the axle spacing on the E-8 is equal but the total axle spacing is just right. The middle axle of the drive train not being in the offset position would be hard to see in my opinion, certainly from some distance..... Advantage: rather cheap drive train with excellent pickup and pulling power......

[thomasjmdavis]

Just so the non-ATSF folks know what you are talking about, here is the rebuilt version of ATSF #1.....
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3339884

Some time after that photo was taken, the rear B truck was replaced with a truck matching the front one.

[kiwi_al]

Charlie..... would you - or others - object if I adapt for example a Kato E-8 chassis with a new 3D printed (irregular spaced axles) side frame for the rebuilt 1 or 10 spot?  I do know the axle spacing on the E-8 is equal but the total axle spacing is just right. The middle axle of the drive train not being in the offset position would be hard to see in my opinion, certainly from some distance..... Advantage: rather cheap drive train with excellent pickup and pulling power......

Well this sounds promising ....

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Thanks Tom for the picture/explanation.

Regarding the trucks: the rebuilt 1 / 10 spot 3 wheel trucks had a axle spacing of 7' 6" at the front and 6' 7" at the back = total 14' 1".
The E-8 trucks had equal axle spacing and also a total of 14' 1".
If the Kato mechanism is used in the conversion, it means the middle axle is 6 1/2 inch off the new 3D sideframe axle point (prototype) or 1.03 mm.
In my opinion, I can live with that, given the thickness of the sideframe and therefore the fact the middle wheelset not being too visible........... COMMENTS??????

The bigger challenge will be to shorten the frame by 3 prototype feet (=5.7 model mm).
It will probably mean removing one of the flywheels and cutting the 2 frame halves.... spicing them afterwards.....
I think this can be done with simple tools and some brass sheet + ACC glue.

Did the same thing on my RSD-15's and the Atlas Alco C628/630 frame and works quite easy.

Will keep you posted on progress..........