FEATURES 21 A PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD B6SB SWITCHER Large scale scratchbuilding GARY MITTNER 26 KITBASH A WATER CAR Inexpensive and realistic CHRIS ROGERSON 28 GAS MECHANICAL LOCOMOTIVES A plethora of portraits RUSS REINBERG 30 CRITTERS LARGE AND SMALL ALLEN K. LITTLEFIELD 32 MODIFY THE DAVENPORT ALLEN K. LITTLEFIELD 36 INDUSTRIAL SIZE CABOOSES A four wheel mining caboose RICHARD SCHMITT 37 LOGGING CABOOSE 02 JERRY SHEEHAN 39 MODIFY A BACHMANN CABOOSE JIM ELLIS 42 THE FR FUEL FACILITY CHALLENGE A Photos Special RUSS REINBERG 50 UNION PACIFIC IN LITTLE ROCK 4-6-6-4 Challenger Nunber 3985 BRUCE STOCKBRIDGE PLANS AND DRAWINGS 52 A FREELANCE SHORT CABOOSE DEPARTMENTS 4 LETTERS 10 PRODUCT REVIEWS 20 FROM THE EDITOR 23 PHOTOS 53 CLASSIFIED ADS 53 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ON THE COVER ON30 HAS BECOME very popular and, with it, locomotive kitbashing and detailing has become more lively. Bachmann’s new Davenport gas mechanical switcher is as likely a candidate for modification as we have seen. So, beginning on page 28, we feature not only the stock model in a layout setting but also several variations along with articles about building other “critters”. Russ Reinberg photographed the 1:48 scale Bachmann Davenport on our cover. ****************** (Text for feature page. Place each paragraph by appropriate photo.) THE FINESCALE RAILROADER FUEL FACILITY CHALLENGE Jim Blakeman, from Aberdeenshire, Scotland scratchbuilt a beautiful 1:20.3 scale model of the Rio Grande coaling tower at Chama, New Mexico. All major dimensions are to scale except those necessary to make the tower suitable for standard gauge. The hopper’s height is two scale feet taller than the prototype; Jim also beefed up the supports in the operator’s cabin. He constructed the model from scale mahogany and fabricated most details, such as the gondola drop grills, from plastic. The bucket tracks are brass, the metal castings from Ozark Miniatures. Jim stained the entire model with diluted black ink. It stands over three actual feet tall above the ground; nearly four feet from the bucket pits to the hoist house roof. Chuck Yungkurth provided copies of the original Chama engineering plans. Richard Smith, from Port Orford, Oregon, scratchbuilt a gorgeous 1:20.3 scale replica of the wooden Virginia & Truckee oil tank at Carson City, Nevada as it appeared between 1903- 1950. Richard constructed the tank and base from cedar. With the exception of molded plastic corner windows, some miniature chain, and such commercial castings as figures and barrels, the model is entirely handmade. Chuck Doan, from West Covina, California, began construction of his 1:48 scale narrow gauge fuel oil facility a few years ago. It remained unfinished until our Challenge inspired him to complete it, a water tank, and some “real estate” for them to sit on. Chuck left room for a sandhouse should inspiration remain. The model is of freelance design, reminiscent of the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge facility at Laws, California. Chuck drew the bents on AutoCAD®, made a jig, built four identical bents from commercial stripwood, and installed the tank from a Grandt Line .Gramps. car kit. The shed includes individual boards over a cardboard core (it has no interior detail) and corrugated metal roofing from Russ Simpson. The 55 gallon drums are from Grandt Line, the pipes are brass tubing, and the cast fittings are from CHB Models. The pulley also is from CHB, the chain is a commercial product, and the spout rigging is code 70 rail. The oily ground cover is glue with a sprinkling of fine dirt and washes of Engine Black and Roof Brown.