This is something I've wanted to build since before the Bachmann 'Indy' 2-6-0 came out... build a stock Porter type C,
using that 2-6-0 chassis. The type C was a lil 0-6-0 tender loco, that seems to have it's origins in the Porter Bell era way
back in the early 1870s, with the later ones built even in the 1890s. They had 33" drivers, varied in overal size, weight
and boiler size.
The one I'm building is based on the type built for 'Martha's Vinyard RR', Mass, in late 1874. This lil loco replaced an
ornate but unsuccessful steam coach!
Drawings for this loco appeared in the NG&SLG, May/June 1986. Barry Olsen was also able to provide me with a copy of the
original engineering drawings for the loco's tender, which comply with the NG&SLG drawing as well.
Other famous locos of the general type, were the 'Santa Cruz' and 'Felton', built for the early SPC days in California, built
with two sand domes. Felton would later work for the Nevada County NG. These were locos from the early 1870s, shorter wheel
base and larger boiler, but similar overal design.
This model really isn't a lot of work or time, and while I'll keep it as close to the drawings as I can, I'll use stock parts
when I can.
Here's the Martha's Vinyard loco:
The Bachmann Indy is a perfect loco for the conversion. The wheel diameter is a spot on 33" and the wheel base total length is a
match at 1:20.3. Also while I never warmed to the Indy itself, and have found the 1:20.3izing of these models to be full of
proportional problems, a new superstructure, built to proper 1:20.3 proportions, of a real loco is a real possibility.
So here is my build log, a rebuild of the Indy into the Porter Class C, 1874; a real prototype at 1:20.3.
I started with the cylinders, made with the usual Porter cant. The cylinders/heads were from Hartland, while the steam chests were
scratch made using 1mm styrene.
The chassis stripped down, new pilot, beam and cylinder added, as well as cab floor area. The beam is hardwood. Pilot bashed
from an old AMT 'General' pilot. The Indy chassis is extremely well made, with the frame all cast metal, low drag wipers etc.
Its really robust.
The chassis is a separate element and need no real clean up work, other than cutting the pilot off and dumping those
stupid cylinders. Bachmann trains have their cylinders too widely spaced. Usually you can get away with it, but on tiny locos
like this, you just gotta get those cylinders inboard. Takes a bit of shaving of the rods packers etc to close up the whole
thing. The Hartland crossheads are perfect fot this lil loco.
The firebox, fabricated from 2mm styrene, with a 0.5mm rivet embossed outer layer.
The loco's running boards and cab floor, all cut from a single sheet of 2mm styrene.
The floor in place on the chassis
The boiler is made from 3 sizes of PVC pipe. The main pipe is 38mm in diameter, with a 34mm diameter smokebox inserted into the
front end of the boiler, wrapped in 0.5mm embossed styrene. The rear end of the boiler is a wider pipe, clamped around the 38mm
inner pipe, with a the wagon top flare cut from 0.5mm styrene sheet, bent to shape, and installed between the two boiler
diameters. The inside of the flare is then filled with epoxy.
The boiler added. The stack is from Hartland, headlight bracket is an old Delton brass part. Bell is from the Indy 2-6-0
superstructure.
The domes made up using my standard method of pipes within pipes, buttons and styrene layers. The steam dome top and waist are
made from parts of a Bachmann 4-6-0 sand dome. The steam dome will have a brass wrapper in the centre section after it's painted
first.
The boiler front made from layers of styrene and rivet rod. The number disk is from Hartland.
The boiler and boiler front on the chassis.
The cab is made using my normal method, this is the 2nd cab I've done with the oval sides. Template created on CAD first,
allowing for stepping of layers in the corners. Rear layer cut from 2mm styrene, outer layer from 1mm styene, and then detail
strips added.
The base 2mm cab wall is made as flat styrene. The outer 1mm layer has the oval cut out..this becomes the first 'step' inside
the oval relief. I then apply the outer tim of .7mm styrene rod..but the curved ends are actually a 12mm diameter evergreen pipe,
cut into a ring slither only .7mm tall. I cut it half and use the arcs ar both ends. There is no bending involved. The oval is
made from 4 parts in total.
The basic Porter with all the parts dropped into place, prior to painting. Headlight will also be from Hartland.
I went for ther shorter style tender with rear tool box, over the Martha longer tender, with no rear box.
The tender is made from 2mm styrene, with 0.5mm styrene wrapper, punched with rivets.
The base to both types is the same. Construction per MC2001, using pipes in the corners to create the rounded corners. I have
made the tender box a full open space for future accessories, over creating a coal bunker area. Coal will be applied over the
top of the tender.
Being mid 1870s, I'll go for a single base colour loco (no red wheels this time), dark brown (lake) all over, Russia Iron, and
hopefully decorted with painted ovals, like Santa Cruz and Felton were painted. Stan will be working on the technique for that,
just as soon as I scan the Tiepolo paintings I want to put on the loco!
The builder's plate has been a real question for me, I've put more thought into that question that the loco!! I want to use the
sheild, I've wanted an excuse to use that plate for a long time, and the Martha loco has a rectangular plate. But I'll go with
the Sheild, probably the Porter Bell sheild.
Here's a picture of the backhead which is about to be mounted into the loco now, before bolting the cab down for the last time.
Note this lil Porter has only one injector on the fireman's side. Because the cab is so high relative to the boiler, the injector
controls are right at the cab floor! There is a regular steam gauge (need to add dots!) tri-cocks, throttle, steam valve for
blower (the upper one) and steam valve for the injector next to it.
I have not used any castings on this backhead at all. Everything is just made from scraps. The old style steam valves are a nail,
with a 4mm dia bead slid onto the nail, and a hex nut below that. I drill a hole into the backhead and insert the nail. On the top
of the nail, glue on an 'L' shaped bit of wire, with epoxy dobs applied to the ends and where the nail and 'L' inserct, forming the
1870s style valve handles.
This is as far as I'll take the lil Porter until the decals are done. The Porter linework is relatively simple, so there was not
a lot to add. Just the murals to come. Coal load added, last rods/levers etc added, drain cocks and steps.
Here is the Porter next to Shou-wa-no of 1871. This lil Porter is not so small for a model. It does really show just how
rediculous the Indy was as a suggested 1:20.3 scale! Sorry I dont have another Indy to compare, but it's all cut up!
and some comparison shots...the Porter, Shou-wa-no and Eureka:
Here are 5 more Pics, this basically completes the line work with added builder's plates.
