CB&Q M-4a Project Part 1: Planning

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I’ve had an LMB CB&Q 2-10-4 in my project backlog for several years.  It’s a brass model from the 1960s and is pretty crude even by 1960s standards.  But it and a nearly identical version imported by Nickel Plate Products are the only options to affordably model one of these signature Burlington engines.  I planned to use it as a base to make a much better looking and running model.  

The most serious deficiency of the LMB 2-10-4 is the running gear.  It looks nothing like the prototype.  The M-4a’s had a very distinctive look with a disc center on the main driver and a very heavy counterweight on the 4th axle.  LMB’s model appears to use generic drivers, capturing none of this.  LMB also used Walschaerts valve gear instead of the correct Baker type.  To remedy this, I decided to repower the model using a modern chassis from a Walthers Proto USRA Heavy 2-10-2. 

The driver diameter, driver spacing, and cylinder size of the USRA Heavy 2-10-2 are within an inch or two of the M4a. Comparing the models side by side confirmed their similarities.  The Illinois Central version that I purchased is also equipped with Baker valve gear instead of the Southern valve gear found on most of the other versions.

I began by disassembling both engines, separating the running gears from their respective boilers.  I placed the LMB boiler on the Walthers running gear and confirmed that it looked about right.  The Walthers motor and weight assembly sit farther to the front of the boiler compared to the original LMB mechanism.  I would have to enlarge the opening in the LMB shell to make it fit over the motor and add a 4 wheel trailing truck.  With the plan in place, I stripped the shell in preparation for further work.





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