Z1B

[NW Modeling List]

Hi Nigel,

Thanks for the detailed recommendations. I appreciate your help and think the best route is to start with the Spectrum 2-6-6-2 as you suggest.

Greg Davis
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From: NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org> on behalf of NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2020 5:31 PM
To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: Re: Z1B

Hi Greg;

HO scale kitbashing of a N&W Z1b 2-6-6-2.

There are several possible starting points.


  *   Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2.  Please note that the Spectrum has offered USRA (C&O H5) and C&O H4 versions.  The former have Baker valve gear like our N&W locomotives, the latter (H4) have Walschaerts valve gear.  Advantages it is a 2-6-6-2, right size drivers, about the right size.  I think that the most visible detail to add is the Worthington BL4 feedwater heater on the fireman's (left) side, with the dual air pumps on the engineer's (right) side.  Photos required for just about all the other details, and Z1b were rebuilt from Z/Z1 locomotives, and all are slightly different, and vary over time.
  *   P2K 2-8-8-2 Y3a (N&W version); need to figure out how to convert the mechanism to 2-6-6-2.  Already has the BL4 and pumps, correct sized drivers and Baker valve gear.
  *   Oriental Limited Powerhouse,  need to figure out how to convert the mechanism to 2-6-6-2.  Already has the BL4 and pumps, correct sized drivers and Baker valve gear. The Powerhouse model has a solid die-cast boiler, extensive cutting and re-joining required, probably easier to fab and new one.
  *   Oriental Limited Powerhouse or P2K 2-8-8-2 USRA version, lacks the BL4.
  *   I am not aware of any other "low" cost options with close to the correct driver diameter.  The Mantua 2-6-6-2 is a much smaller locomotive with 50" drivers.

You also have to decide which tender you want to use - pictures are required for accuracy.

A bit of history: the N&W Z/Z1 was a copy of the C&O 2-6-6-2, the N&W Y2 2-8-8-2 was an enlarged version of the Z/Z1.  The USRA 2-8-8-2 was based on the N&W Y2 with some improvements, and was classed Y3 on the N&W.  The USRA 2-6-6-2 was a shrunken version of the USRA 2-8-8-2.  The C&O classed the USRA 2-6-6-2 as H5; the C&O preferred their own H4 with Walschaerts valve gear to the H5.

My plan is to use the Spectrum USRA 2-6-6-2 as the basis of my project; I have been gathering pictures and other resources for awhile, but that is as far as I have gotten.  So much to do, so little time to do it.

Nigel Misso

On 07/11/2020 6:39 AM NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


All,

I've been trying to find a PSC Z1b for years and it seems they are made of unobtainium.
One did show up on a sale site this AM but was gone in 3 minutes!

I've almost resolved myself to bashing one but I'm no steam expert. My strong point is bashing diesels into prototype models but I have never attempted to kit bash a steam locomotive, mainly because I don't know the commercial availability of all of the detail parts and I don't have the understanding of what all of the components do and an eye for "right" versus N&W diesels.

Has anyone on the list attempted to kit bash a Z1b? Any recommendations for a novice with a very different modeling skill set?

Thanks,

Greg Davis
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