Early 2002, I took on a bash of the Bachmann 2-8-0 for a friend, with the intention of moving the cab back to the rear
end of the existing deck (cab moved about 1/2" to the rear) re-arranged domes and bell, shortenned pilot deck, new pilot
and steps and an extended smokebox.
The object to produce a larger feel to the 2-8-0, and a more american look. Most of the bash did get done before the
direction of the bash was changed and the model was never finished in this style. The photos do show how the 2-8-0's
proportions can be changed in a favorable way by shortenning the pilot deck and moving the cab back that 1/2". The
new pilot attached to the existing beam is a modified Bachmann 4-6-0 pilot, with PSC brass steps added to the side.
The pilot beam is moved back about 1/3", headlight raised up and initial work done to the smokebox front. The sand
dome was also replaced by a 4-6-0 sand dome, atop the existing 2-8-0 dome base. A neat 1:20.3 2-8-0 could have
transpired.
Instead a few days later the loco became a K-27 in 1:22.5 scale....Oh well!
The Quick & Dirty K-27 Bash, was strangely one of my more successful bashes, in that is brought in a
flood of e-mails from the world over; the realisation that a K-27 could be bashed from the squat lil Bachmann
2-8-0. It is possible, but the scale must change from 1:20.3 down to 1:22.5. The Quick & Dirty K-27 is just
that, a quick job. While the model is in no way prototypical, it has the overal proportion and style of the
K-27, without any serious re-working and uses the existing chassis and valve gear unaltered. The whole job can
be done inside 4 days. This model was bashed for a friend. The full bash of a K-27 is also possible and
results will be shown soon
