Well' jumped off the fence the other day and decided to try for the conversion of this engine from C&O to a close facsimalie of a SP MM3 class 2-6-6-2 ,mind you it was with a great deal of trepidation that i picked up my razor saw after determing the Cary 108" boiler front should fit....Bachmann in their infinate wisdom had glued the smokebox front to the boiler, on a brand new sound equipped locomotive
Ever so carefully i proceeded to cut the smokebox cover on the fine joint between the cover and boiler without damaging to rivet detail whew!
Turned out the Cary boiler front part no.SB 105 which is a 108" diameter was a perfect fit though the bottom had to be ground down a bit to clear the steam delivery pipe that runs beneath it
After priming and painting it inculding the round number plate a few drops of medium Zap a Gap fixed it in place.
Also was able to reuse the nicely detailed cross compound air compressors triming and gluing them together and placing them in the appropiate place on the firemans side of the boiler.
All I have left to do is add the walkway section over the top of the pumps and number boards which i removed to be moved back along the stack rather than the C&O placement before the stack.also will replace the classification lilights with brass castings and clear jewel's
SO' While not a exact replica of the engine I'm very much satisfied with the results.
Below are before and after photos and the prototype.