Transforming A Generic Kato Mikado Into A Southern Ms-4 Mikado

Transforming A Generic Kato Mikado Into A Southern Ms-4 Mikado

                                                                                            

This tutorial shows how to take a generic Kato Mikado and transform it into a Southern Ms-4 Mikado using a GHQ detail kit. This tutorial was published in N Scale Magazine in 2007.

I'm going to transform this generic Kato Mikado into a Southern Ms-4 Mikado using a GHQ detail kit.

Generic Kato Mikado

All the pewter detail parts and piping has been added to the Fireman's side of the Mikado.

Fireman's Side Of The Mikado

All the pewter detail parts and piping has been added to the Engineers side of the Mikado.

Engineers Side Of The Mikado

A closeup view of the Feed Water Heater and its piping on the boiler of the Mikado.

Closeup View Of Feed Water Heater

An overhead view of the Mikado after adding all the detail parts and piping.

Overhead View Of Boiler Of Mikado                                                                                                                                                     

A closeup overhead view of the cab and tender of the Mikado with all the detail parts and piping added.

                                                           Closeup Of Engine Cab And Tender                      

Southern Ms-4 Mikado On The Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E Southern Ms-4 Mikado is approaching the town of San Marino on the upper level of the JJJ&E. The Monterrey Mountains can be seen in the background.

A Closer View Of The Southern Ms-4 Mikado On The Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E. The highly detailed Injector Valve is partially hidden by the dump truck. I used blue Windshield wiper solution to make all weathering solutions. The ratio is 80% Blue Windshield wiper solution and 20% acrylic paint for each weathering solution.

A full view of the injector valve below the cab on the engineers side of the Ms-4 Mikado. I used Neolube #2 to blacken the drivers, side rods and valve gears of the locomotive.

A full view of the engineers side of the Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4910 with the town of San Marino in the background on the upper level of the "Original" JJJ&E.

A closeup view of the tender of the Ms-4 Mikado. The tender has a doghouse behind the coal load and a tool box under the frame between the two trucks. The Injector Valve of the Mikado can clearly be seen under the locomotive cab.

A full view of the smoke box of the Ms-4 Mikado #4910. The Feedwater Heater and its piping can be seen in this photo. The Southern Ms-4 Mikado is making its way out of the town of San Marino on the upper level of the JJJ&E.

A closer view of the Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4910 on the fireman's side of the locomotive. This photo provides a good view of the Feedwater Heater and its associated piping.

A full view of the fireman's side of the Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4910 and tender on the upper level of the "Original" JJJ&E

A very close view of the Fireman's side of the Southern Ms-4 Mikado. This photo provides an excellent view of all the detail parts on the Fireman's side of the Ms-4 Mikado.

This photo shows an overhead view of the Southern Ms-4 Mikado showing all the weathered detail and piping on the Fireman's side of the locomotive.

A full view of the Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4910 with the San Marino sidings in the background.

A view of the Southern M s-4 Mikado #4910 on the upper level of the "Original" JJJ&E with the town of San Marino in the background.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

A closeup of a Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839 on the engineers side of the locomotive. The Feed Water Heater and its associated piping is very detailed.

An overhead view of the boiler of Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839. This is a good view of the Feed Water Heater and its detailed piping.

A closer look at the tender of Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839. A seven gram weight was cemented to the under frame of the tender to improve tracking of the tender. This weight simulates a toolbox. I try to add seven gram weights to all the tenders on the steam fleet of the JJJ&E.

A track side view of Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839 entering San Marino.

Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839 on the mainline east of San Marino with the Monterrey Mountains in the background.

An old color old time photo of two Southern Ms-4 Mikado's, #4910 & #4839 on main line tracks in San Marino. Both locomotives were kit bashed from generic Kato Mikado's using GHQ pewter detail kits.

An old "Platinum" B&W old time photo of two Southern Ms-4 Mikado's, #4910 & #4839 on main line tracks in San Marino. Both locomotives were kit bashed from generic Kato Mikado's using GHQ pewter detail kits.

An old  B&W  photo of two Southern Ms-4 Mikado's, #4910 & #4839 on main line tracks in San Marino. Both locomotives were kit bashed from generic Kato Mikado's using GHQ pewter detail kits.

A panoramic view of a Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839 on the inner mainline with the town of San Marino in the background.

A closeup view of the detailed and weathered Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4839 in San Marino.

Two old  color photo's of a completely weathered Southern Ms-4 Mikado #4910 on the mainline with the town of San Marino in the background.