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Building a CSTPM&O No 601 Pacific from an American Flyer 282 Pacific We have chosen the 282 due to the lack of the rubber tires typically used on Post-War engines. As stock, the typical American Flyer engine used the tender wheels only as pick-up for the 1-16 volt AC power provided through the track. There were a couple of issues with this configuration. The track and wheel sets must be kept very clean, and never park near or on a switch or crossover due the lack of one of the wheels picking up current correctly. As kids were the primary users of these toys, movement was not the issue. The trains usually ran at or near a speed just short of coming off of the track, and sometimes needed a push if stopped for a period of time. This would be unacceptable for us, therefore pickup also needs to be provided through the engine wheels, where the weight is. Flyer made this easier when they insulated the outer wheel rim from the hub with rubber. |
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Let's start with the prototype. An E-3 heavy Pacific with road number of 602. First we must gather some information on this unit. We know it was considered to be a heavy pacific and there were three units of this E-3 variety sold to CNW for the Omaha line in 1930
The dimensions are somewhat important to give us the parameters for modifications, so they also need to be reviewed.
The Heavy Pacific 602 as it looked about 70 years ago
American Flyer Post-War Pacific's somewhat resembled it. Shown below is a 287. There were a number of AF road numbers for the pacifics, but the tender and boiler shells were all the same.
Using the magic of the computer graphics editors, a conversion plan can be constructed. Basic differences are modified to allow the viewer a idea of how the original looked. The closer to scale intent, the more time it takes.
Items that needed to be altered to represent the model above are listed below starting from the rear:
A) Molded tender ladder removed from the right side rear and metal ladder added to the left side, rather than the right. Marker lights are possible from LEDs found in an after Christmas miniature village closeout sale at the local department store. The LEDs can be mounted in square stock of either brass or plastic, and shaped to size.
B) Existing coal load cut out of tender, and insert is built to hold real scale coal. I may wish to add functional coaling tower to the layout, and now is the time to change it.
C) Hand rails added to front of tender and bar between tender and engine cab shortened to represent closer gap between the two.
D) Six wheel tender trucks could be changed using aftermarket trucks from a Hudson tender.
E) Decals removed and new applied after paint
F) Old Running Board removed from left side and replaced with a straight one from cab to forward steps.
G) Air tank removed and new double unit built for over cow catcher.
H) Rear truck added from aftermarket inventory. Hudson or 21085 pacific
I) Cowling added in front of cab
J) Molded air lines and hand rails removed. New wire installed with handrail posts.
K) Headlight and bell cut off, boiler front repaired, and new LED headlight, bell, marker lights added to boiler and tender.
L) Front truck covers added. May be able to modify old AF prewar truck frame from inventory to show external bearing covers.
M) New drive linkage would have to be designed and added to represent function. Valve gear should be added due to aesthetics and satisfaction.
N) Final alteration would be adding a coupler in the front. Flyer only used front couplers on switchers, but many engines on the Omaha roster were used as helpers pulling a freight in tandem. Couplers should be either Kaydee or functional with Kaydee couplers.
Of all of the items listed above, handrails, steam pipes, sand pipes, marker lights, and drive gear make the largest visual impact in the conversion. These items make the "toy" look real, and unless the viewer is looking at a picture of the prototype, or very familiar with the prototype, he or she will never know.
I would like to convert the engine to a flywheel DC using DCC and use pickups on the engine wheels for better reliability and performance. The front truck also needs to be reviewed due to tendencies of derailing. DC motor that is appropriate size has been located, now gear sets and mounts and to be purchased and made.
