Slate Creek #6 nearing completion

Several years ago, I purchased one of the very first available Bachmann 2-6-6-2's.  At the time there was a great deal of discussion about the locomotive, it's prototype (or absence thereof) and a number of technical details that meant, all politics aside, that I'd need to make some changes if the locomotive was going to be what I wanted it to.

Because most of those changes were a bit over my head, with respect to actually accomplishing them, I found some experts who were willing to help.

The result is ... well, stunning ... and it's not even finished yet:

Slate Creek #6 now has a new cab and tender (from a B-mann 2-8-0) and a lowered cab deck, modified trailing truck, and has been altered to lock the rear engine assembly in place. The front engine has had the motor moved back to the rear of the block, and pivots on the front engine (effectively converting the locomotive from a "Meyer" style to a true "Mallet" style locomotive.) The eccentrics have been reset, and the eccentric rods replaces with custom fabricated stainless steel ones that alter how the valve gear action works, and looks.  The locomotive is now equipped with battery power, radio control, and sound (with magnetic triggers,) and is currently being tested to optimize the new systems.  Left to do:  Lettering, and details, which will happen once the locomotive arrives on Slate Creek rails ... an event that will quite possibly be the longest trip EVER for a model from point of sale to user!

I've got a thread over on Large Scale Central on some of the nuts and bolts of the conversion ... you can see "how it happened" at http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=17331

That's enough for one day.  More soon, including a preview of coming attractions in the Diesel department, lots and lots of plaster and dust, and some heavy metal ... well, bridges, that is.