AlfaZagato

I suppose numbering series would depend on how you pose such a loco came about. You say you used the 28XX boiler? There was a Collet update of the 28XX, classed as 2884. The last 2884 was numbered 3866. If you call this a development of that series, maybe 3867 series?

I sometimes forget what the car market is like in the UK. Half the cars I've owned have more than 4 cylinders. None have had less. Two V8's & three I6's. Anyways, the 3D printer seems to function as a drug for any of my friends who pick one up. Most print .stl that they find online.

We're only a few hundred pages in. I'm not surprised it's come up before. I've probably brought it up before.

A thought I just had. I'm surprised the Mikado (2-8-2) arrangement never gained traction in the UK. On a shallow level of understanding, the UK's operating situation is remarkably similar to Japan's. Japan ended up almost exclusively using Mikados after the first were delivered from the US. I know Gresley had his P1 & P2, & there was the GWR tank. Still, the 2-8-2 saw some good service elsewhere as a passenger loco. I couldn't see the GWR ever committing to any number of Mikados - too entrenched in their ways. Would Stanier or Riddles have attempted the type? Or maybe Bulleid?

Wait until you experience the state of unbound bags on a container. I did not enjoy unloading such orders...

Drop-out axles with a keeper plate seems to work just fine for RTR. No reason why it can't be engineered at home. Shouldn't you engineer the jackshaft to drop out as well, though? Otherwise you'll only pivot the wheelset away if you need to fuss with it.

I remember reading your build on the Garratt. Excellent build. I wish we would see either a replacement or renewal of the kit.

4700's predated the Castle by four years. Wikipedia has it that operations asked for (basically) the Grange class. Churchward gave them the Night Owls instead. Maybe he was chasing tractive effort over speed, which the 4700s better the Granges in. Kings were a pure publicity stunt, chasing title 'Most Powerful in England' back from the Lord Nelson.

Is lead non-conductive? I'm ignorant to such things. Is there a chance of shorting, resting on a stack of lead like that? More importantly, I see a d10. RPGs? Wargaming? Curiosity?

Nice. No thoughts of motoring it?

Somehow, the size of this wasn't evident to me away from other stock. I'm not used to that sort-of notch in front of the cab on a loco so close to max height.

Glad to see a layout thread, with as many pictures of not the layout you take.

Charming little thing.

I'll have to watch the Shay and Bellerophon. Maybe not for the same layout.

I'm curious as to what happened to the rest of the cab? Every picture here, other than the modern-day pictures, shows Bellerophon with a full cab.

For narrow gauge, those sure are great, monolithic things. I can't wait for the Model Rail exclusive.

Did you count the rivets? Looking good.

I like it.

Another benefit of Unitrak is the ability to build T-Trak modules. Simple table-top N gauge modules.

Has anyone received their orders on these yet? Is it to the usual Kato quality?

Three banks of three cylinders.

If this is the kit I'm thinking it is, I built one years ago, as well. I...lost the headlights, though.

For a single-prime locomotive, you could mount tanks under the generator. Given the narrowness of the F-M motor, batteries could be mounted either side of the motor.

I don't know that you approached my second point. Could a drop-center frame have allowed for the height? Is a drop-center frame practical for a diesel locomotive? Is the height issue considered only from application via 'normal' prime mover installation, i.e. support underneath the motor, vs. an automotive-style installation suspended above the oil pan?

I'm still stuck on F-M power in the UK loading gauge. Did anyone experiment with drop-center main frames?