1.5" Scale, 4-3/4" Gauge 4-6-0 Castings For Sale

[Ben_Smith]

I've got an extra set of castings for a Warren Weston - Gail Gish narrow gauge D&RGW T-12 4-6-0. These are 1.5" scale 4-3/4" gauge. I have an identical chassis ready for air and don't need this additional set. I've also got a complete set of prints. I believe this is quite likely to be the last set of these castings out there. When built the engine is about the size of a 1" LE Pacific. The set includes two sets of cylinders, machined frame, machined drivers & journals, machined eccentrics and a handful of machined bits for the spring rigging plus a lead truck just about done. Also included are castings for the brakes, spring rigging, smoke box, crossheads, cylinder heads and valve boxes and a whole host of other stuff. I think the only castings needed to have a full set are the tender wheels and journals but those can be had from Jeff Smith. $700 is a fair price. Feel free to call 402-304-3685 or email ben@firesmithtools.com

[SteveM]

Interesting looking frame - lot of space between the rear drivers and the other two.

Do you have a picture of what the locomotive looks like?

Steve

[Ben_Smith]

This would be built into a very accurate model of a D&RGW T-12. Gail and Warren serialized this locomotive in Moteltec in the mid 1980's using measurements from the prototype at the Colorado RR Museum. The prints cover a tremendous amount of the detail parts as well. Here's a couple pics of the prototype and the model produced by PBL. Dave Gumz built an engine from these castings and prints. I borrowed the pic from another thread on the Chaski board.

[SteveM]

Interesting. Thanks!

Steve

[ironhorseriley]

Perhaps the info about the research for developing this model from measurements at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO are lost in the "haze of history." The only surviving T-12 locomotives are displayed by the Cities of Alamosa, CO & Colorado Springs, CO. The only narrow gauge ten wheeler at the Colorado Railroad Museum is RGS #20 (ex F&CC) now undergoing a restoration for them in Strasburg, PA. It is a Schenectady product while I believe the T-12's were Baldwin's. Never the less, I agree the T-12's were very handsome locomotives and one of my favorites. I had a model in HOn3 at one time & have kicked myself for selling it.

If I had a shop & machinery, I would love to build this.

[Ben_Smith]

Yup, you are absolutely correct. I just looked through the article and the two engine are in Alamosa and Colorado Springs. Chalk it up to a brain fart, I guess.

Looks like I have a buyer. Unless something changes, this setup is now sold.

[mcdeo]

There are potential talks with Alamosa City and C&TS to restore the T-12 down there. With the 491 (K-37) now running at the CO Museum, the #20 is slow to be restored.

[marshall5]

The guys in Alamosa are still working away,albeit slowly, on T-12 No169. It is 168 at Colorado Springs which may go to the C&TS - in fact, just this week, the Friends announced that the Parks and Rec had unanimously approved the deal and now it goes to the City Council. A great looking little locomotive in 1.5 and 12" scales.
Ray.

[ironhorseriley]

That is great news for 168. I have been hearing that she has been languishing away even after the cosmetic restoration she received several years ago. I fell in love with this class after reading the escapades about Luis Lathrop in "Little Engines & Big Men" many years ago. These were iconic machines visualized by the Chili Line D&RGW branch photos. I am glad the 169 is still getting some attention as well.

[paralleler]

I am the new caretaker of the Dave Gumz 4-6-0 4-3/4" narrow gauge. I ran it for the first time last Saturday (4/15/2017) and it was a pure joy to operate. The locomotive has past through two hands since Dave past away. The most recent owner, who also enjoyed giving the locomotive a very nice tune-up, felt I had prospects. I will try to be worthy. I am a member of the Golden Gate Live Steamers and hopefully it will be running up there moderately often, I understand Dave used to operate it there regularly.

I also own a 7-1/2" Little Engines 0-4-0T started by Burton Miller of Pacifica. Burton had gotten it close to running on compressed air and I was told it needed piping. Turned out that even the piping was beyond me so I took it to a guy who was recommended to me. I've spent the past year working out bugs on the locomotive (replacing burner, jammed Johnson Bar, adding a drain to saddle tank, etc.). It's getting really close now.

While retired, I am also completing my first semester in Machine Shop at a local Junior College.

[Mike Walsh]

Very nice. Was your locomotive completed using the castings in the original post above?

[steveleatherman]

Are these castings still available for sale?