Temiscouata #1 - A Project?

It will be no surprise for people following this blog that TMC #1 is going to be my first 1:64 locomotive. Many factors lie behind this decision, but mainly, it's the easiest one to build with my actual skills and available components.

To be honest, knowing where to start with such a crazy layout project isn't a piece of cake... A module? A piece of track? A freight car? A structure? or a locomotive? Well... I don't know but I'm looking at several possible project to officially start working on something.

At least, I was recently able to get old CDS Lettering dry transfer sets and that's a big problem behind me! In that regard, I'm now hunting old Ridgehill Models Fowler boxcars suitable for Intercolonial and Grand Trunk. I guess they had the original wood roofs and 5' doors back then.

C-5-b diagram, almost virtually similar to a C-3-c (credit: trainweb.org)

But a far bigger problem is finding suitable motive power. Old time 4-4-0s are on my list, but it probably won't happen until much later... and certainly, a 4-6-0 would be sweet in the long run. However, I've got to start somewhere, taking into account my skills, resources and what's available.

I've been studying the sole Mogul ever owned by Temiscouata and it seems the little locomotive could be kitbashed in S scale. After looking at CNR locomotive diagrams (C-3-c and C-5-b) and a few pictures including #1 builder picture (which can be seen in Donald R. McQueen's Canadian National Steam! Volume 3, p. C-7). It must be noted I found some discrepancies between McQueen's and others histories about #1. McQueen states it was purchased in 1916 from a NTR contractor (Cavicchi & Pagano Contractors #5) and sold circa 1920 (other sources say 1918) while others indicate it was purchased new from MLW in 1910 and sold in 1911 when found unsastisfactory.

From what I've seen, and this is only my opinion, I find it weird TMC sold the original #1 in 1910, left the number not used for almost 6 years while acquiring many other locomotives and reassigning available numbers. It makes more sense to have scrapped the old #1, replaced it with a local mogul used by a contractor in the area and swapped quickly with Canadian Government Railway #4537 (ten-wheeler) when deemed unfit for its purpose. However, other sources indicate the original #1 left Temiscouata in 1916 for Davie Shipbuilding in Lévis, QC.

But that said, we know NTR opened the line between Moncton & Estcourt in 1913. It was operated on a limited scale by ICR then. Could McQueen be right? Maybe. He got the builder pictures and MLW order story to back up his claim. Given the road was still under construction up to 1913, it's unlikely the contractor sold the engine before that date. He also indicates a lot of misunderstanding did exist about this particular MLW order. One thing is sure, I'm seriously starting to believe the roster published along with Mr. Lemon's article on Old Time Trains musn't be taken at face value. Thus, the second #1, replacing the old Dübs 4-4-0 in 1916 is starting to make a lot of sense...

Well, we could speculate a lot and be completely wrong. At this point, I won't make a ruckus about that, it seems quite trivial to the grand scheme.



But leaving aside the historical inaccuracies, I have enough technical data to start to figure out how to build this particular locomotive. I’ve discussed the project with David Clubine and Simon Dunkley, which have parts that could help to build up a decent drive. We discovered the old Rex 2-6-0 frame has the correct driver wheelbase (approx.. 12’-6”) and that River Raisin Models 0-6-0 51” drivers are compatible. Add to this a NWSL gearbox and good motor and we can say we have a solid base to start.

On the other hand, almost everything else on the Rex model is inadequate and can’t be directly reused. At least, some detail parts and bits can be of use. However, it is a fact virtually everything else will have to be scratchbuilt including the boiler, cab and tender. It shouldn't be that much of a problem at this point using brass, styrene and other materials. Anyway, my HO Grand Trunk 2-8-0 kitbash thought me sometimes it’s better that start from scratch than pour countless hours modifying a part.

The next step will be to measure and draw the drive to scale in CAD then start designing the superstructure to fit it according to dimensional data from old steam locomotive diragrams. Then, I'll bash the model in SketchUp to see how everything fits together before building. I wouldn't be surprised if some parts are 3D printed and maybe some involve lasercut down the road. That aside, it will probably built the good old way.

Meanwhile, the drive will have to be assembled, drivers quartered and motorization fine-tuned. At this point, I’m glad I’m modelling an early 1910s locomotive that didn’t saw too much modifications since its original construction.

TMC #8 - Cyber Kitbash

As I said, finding decent locomotives is a challenge. Jamie Bothwell suggested me to take a look at Bachmann's On30 4-6-0, saying some driver conversion kits do exists. It certainly would be an interesting way to get a unique small steamer at a decent price.

According to specs I could find, the Bachmann locomotive would have, in S scale, 60" drivers while the prototype had 51". Pilot wheels are also a little bit on the large size. Otherwise, the rest of the locomotive seems to be a fairly good starting point. Most parts could be kept, dome would have to be replaced, the smoke box shorten and cab highly bashed if not scratchbuilt. The tender wouldn't be a particular challenge to convert and its trucks would be swapped.

I will have to gather more information about the On30 locomotive to see if the overall size is compatible with TMC #8. I've located the CNR locomotive data sheet and will be able to make some comparison. If it is within a decent margin of error, I guess it could be a possible way to get some motive power for the line.

Meanwhile, I decided to slap together a quick little cyber kitbash to see what could be done. So far, so good. For the paint scheme, I'm not sure #8 had white tire in service. It was a common photograph gimmick used to get better contrasting builder photos. On the other hand, it does look extremely nice and would fit the era.

Building a Locomotive Roster

The biggest challenge any modeller faces when choosing a particular prototype is finding suitable motive power. The reason is simple, building a locomotive from scratch is far more demanding that cars and structures. Also, locomotives are the "face" of the railroad. If they are too far from the prototype, you loose a lot of the appeal.

In the case of Temiscouata, options are not numerous for someone who wants to bash a plastic model. However, there is some hope.

Let's start with the basics. We know that between 1910 and 1914, Temiscouata only ran 1887/1888-built old 4-4-0 and brand new MLW 4-6-0. In 1911, they experimented with a 2-6-0 but found it unsuitable and traded it for a 4-6-0 few months later. It means only 3 types of locomotives can be modelled. Since the Connors Branch was devoid of any critical grade and traffic was light, most of the time they used the 4-4-0 on that line.

Temiscouata #4 built in 1888 by Manchester (credit: Musée du Bas-Saint-Laurent)

I'm not aware of any model that could be easily converted into a S scale 4-4-0 with 62" drivers. If you know of any, let me know, that could be a very nice project.

However, Jamie Bothwell point out that a 4-6-0 is available in On30. Made by Bachmann, this little locomotive can be converted to S scale using some conversion parts from NWSL. While not spot on, it can be modified to represent a decent model of a TMC 4-6-0.

Temiscouata #8 as built in 1909 by MLW (Al Paterson Collection, "Canadian National Steam! Volume 4)

Unfortunately, the real 4-6-0 had 51" drivers and 28" pilot wheels. According to what I've read, the Bachmann model, when scaled down to S, have 60" drivers and 32" pilot wheels. While, I can live with 32" pilot wheels or can easy change them for better, I'm not sure the same apply with the drivers. There's quite an important difference between a 60" and a 51" driver that can impact the overall look.

Would it be feasible to swap the drivers with new ones while keeping the original rods is debatable. Maybe some parts would require to be completely replaced with new ones. On the other hand, I could probably live with the discrepancies if the rest of the model is correct.

That raises a serious problem before moving forward. Actual dimension data about the Bachmann 4-6-0 is required to compare it with Canadian National locomotive diagram of ex-Temiscouata engines.

Once the driver swap is answered and dimensional data is known, it will be possible to decide how to make this possible or if other options must be evaluated. At this point, being totally newbie in that scale, I can hardly know about all locomotives available. Fortunately, I've got a lot of time ahead to find suitable power for the layout. Oh, and should I had it's a blessing not having to build up a large fleet! One loco and you're done!

Temiscouata Railway: Building the Fleet

With my Harlem Station project nearing completion, I'm actually in the process of reviving my project of building Connors (and maybe more). That's not in a near future and I don't plan working on it before a year when major home improvements will be done and more space available in my house.<br />
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However, I started to sift through my steam locomotives collection and old freight cars. I found out more than I need, including several Intermountain and Accurail cars.<br />
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With locomotives I have on hand, I model a few ones with average kitbashing implied.<br />
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I have a Bachmann Modern 4-4-0, an old IHC old time 4-4-0 and recently acquired a Bachmann 4-6-0. According to pictures, I'll have to replace most of the cabs with new ones similar to Bachmann 2-6-0 or IHC 2-6-0 ones. Unfortunately, Bachmann doesn't sell the cab individually. On the other hand, I got 3 Bachmann Modern 4-4-0 shells in a recent sale. They will provide parts to upgrade all the locomotives.<br />
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In a perfect world, I'll need 4 locomotives to run the layout, including two 4-6-0 for freight trains and two 4-4-0 for passenger/mixed trains. The old 4-4-0 survived up to 1929 and will probably be used on some extra or work trains if I feel like improving it à la Harold Minky.<br />
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I'll purchase the locomotives only when I'll find good deals. I'm not in a hurry. All locomotives will be sound equipped, probably Loksound decoders.<br />
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On the other hand, I'm also planning to revive the Quebec South Shore Railway switching layout. While not in good shape, the module is still&nbsp; there. However, I'll improve the trackage to make switching more interesting than my original version.<br />
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Don't expect frequent updates, but related projects including rolling stock and locomotive kitbashes will find their way here. I have plenty of time to build the fleet at a leasure pace while focussing my energy on Hedley Junction.