US $5.95 • Can $7.95 - O scale trains

Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 #757 by Harry Hieke, Eagle’s Nest MiniaturesHarry says his goal here was to produce the most detailed O Scale engine ever. He waslimited only by economic considerations. He used previously imported models in HO, Oand G scales, plus photos and scale drawings as references. There is also an NKP 2-8-4 atStrasburg, Pa., at the Pennsylvania (State) Railroad Museum. Harry took over 150 photos ofthe prototype there. Phil Sciarra and Dave Vaughn lent their engines for reference.This engine features a built up firebox, smokebox, and backhead plate which used justunder one thousand nut-bolt-washer castings. Each smokebox dog is made of five separateparts and is operable. Harry opened the frame like the prototype and it is equalized like theprototype. The brake rigging is all there and it works, too, although Harry says not that wellsince a prototype brake shoes shoe moves maybe one-half inch. All the journal lids open.Harry says he is most proud of the powered auger in the tender. It took a couple tries butit now rotates when you press down on the tender cistern lid. Harry says he can modify thismechanism to power a water scoop, a power reverse, etc.There are 22 bulbs in the engine and tender, and there are a total of 25 hinged surfaces.The loco was painted and weathered using a stencil weathering technique Harry developed.According to Harry, this is the best he’s done to date.Sept/Oct ’04 - O Scale Trains • 61