TP&W 801 Modifications: Part I

As noted in my previous post about TP&W 801, I decided to modify the fuel tank on the Atlas model to better match the prototype. The TP&W tended to purchase its locomotives with the smallest available fuel tank, and the 801 was no exception. The smallest available fuel tank on the ALCo
C-424 had flat sides. Larger-capacity C-424 fuel tanks had bulging sides of multiple lengths. The fuel tank on the stock Atlas C-424 model has long bulging sides, as shown below.

The bulging sides on the Atlas fuel tank are separate parts that snap into the main fuel tank casting. It is simple to remove them from the main fuel tank piece, but this also removes the air reservoirs, which are cast together with the bulges. Prior to removing the entire fuel tank from the frame (this is easiest to do with the shell removed so you can access the fuel tank tabs from the top), I used thin strips of masking tape to mark the locations of the ends of the air reservoirs.

Removing the bulges leaves two rectangular holes in each side of the fuel tank.

I filled these holes with bits of 0.030" styrene cut to fit and cemented in place.

Once the glue had dried, I filled gaps with putty, sanded them smooth, and painted the fuel tank flat black.

I used a razor saw and miter box to separate the air reservoirs from the bulges. With the casting upside down in the miter box, I made the saw cut just on the bulge side of the joint between the air reservoir and bulge.

A sliver of the bulge remained on each air reservoir after the saw cut. I carved and scraped this away with a hobby knife.

I put the fuel tank back on the frame first, then glued the air reservoirs directly to the metal frame using the masking tape as a guide. Once the air reservoirs were glued in place, I removed the tape.

Modifications complete to the fuel tank and air reservoirs.

The 801 is back in service.