The DCC system will be installed on the Clarinda layout and one of the three long haul tenders will be used for an Erie K5A project. The other two will likely find themselves behind Atlas locomotives, most likely Pacifics as well. But first, more on the Erie K5A.
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| Photo from http://lists.railfan.net/erielackphoto.cgi?erielack-02-24-07/Erie_2943_Marion_9-26-49_Ron_Dukarm.jpg |
This is Erie K5A number 2943. Her last engineer was a fellow named Jones, who just happens to be my wife's maternal great-grandfather. She was replaced by an Alco PA1 and Mr. Jones was the first engineer on that locomotive. I gathered this information from a couple of pictures that my wife's grandmother had and thought it might be a nice build.
The next step in the K5A project will be the procurement of a suitable JNR C57 chassis for the boxpox driver sets. I have a spare Atlas Pacific shell and various bits and pieces off of both Atlas and Model Power Pacific locomotives for what I hope will be the proper cylinders and trailing truck. The rest will be Details Associates pieces and polystyrene.
The DCC system is a new venture for me. As far as I know only two of my locomotives have decoders, a matched Bachmann GP7 set, so I am going to be learning all about DCC with them. Time will tell if I decide to stick with DCC, but since the model railroad club I am joining next month is all DCC it is likely I will be converting at least one or two steamers, too...including the K5A most likely.
I hope Santa was good to you as well.
