Modifying Roundhouse Sammie

[Shawn]

Last spring I picked up a Roundhouse Sammie with the intention of modifying it into a logging engine. I was not sure exactly what I was looking for. I recently joined the 16mm association and while browsing through the Aug 2013 issue I came across a really neat modified Sammie. It was done by John Fox in the UK. As soon as I saw it I knew that's what I wanted. The picture did not show the back of the engine so it was hard to tell if trucks were added to the rear. At the time I happened to be exchanging e-mails with Chris Bird. I was telling him about the Sammie I saw in 16mm today. Lucky for me Chris had some connections and was able to get me connected with John Fox. I was able to get more photos and a description of what was done. The below photo is what I plan to convert mine into. I have to give John all the credit for how I am going to do this. Thanks to Eric Shade for the rear trucks.

Sammie out of box

Parts that I have gathered so far.

The first step will be to take out the foot plate and add a longer one to the back. The best part is the metal cab is soldered to the saddle tank. Johns way around that was to fit a wooden cab over the metal one. Then the saddle tank does not have to be disconnected from the cab. By leaving the metal cab adds support to the wooden one.

 

[Chris Bird]

It's going to be great Shawn - I can't wait to see your progress!!
Cheers
Chris

 

[John Morgan]

Hi Shawn,
Step by step photos would be nice, looking foward to your progress.

John.

 

[StephH]

Looking forward to following this Shawn, I've often looked at Sammy and wondered what it would be like made more USA logging like! It should fit right in on your excellent line when its done.

ATB

Steph'

 

[JRinTawa]

Owww this looks promising Shawn

 

[Shawn]

Thanks everyone. John M my plan is to do step by step photos. I got tied up this week so was unable to get anything done (kids and wife with stomach bu ugh) As long as I stay healthy I plan on starting it by monday.

 

[mike]

looking forward too seeing it progress

 

[Shawn]

I managed to disassemble the Sammie. Next part t clean all the pieces that need to be painted and cut the new footplate. Hopefully will resume Thursday (have 4 16 hour days coming up ugh........)

 

[Shawn]

Didn't get as much done as planned. Got busy running trains in the snow with my 4 year old and sleigh riding. In between I did get the new foot plate cut and holes drilled. I put the Sammie back together to see how everything fit. So far so good. Next I plan on making the cab.

 

[John Morgan]

Shawn,
Coming along nicely.
John.

 

[Shawn]

Made some more progress. Got the first stage of the wooden cab done. It will fit over the original metal cab and be bolted to the metal cab for added support.
Next I have to add trim etc...... to the cab to spruce it up. I also added the rear bumper by screwing some brass brackets to the footplate and then securing the wood bumper to the brackets. I started to play with the rear trucks. I'm using a bolt with a spring attached. This will give it some give when going up and down. Might have to add stiffer spring but wont know till I test it. I secured some brass strip to the trucks. I still have to bend the brass strip and secure it to the bottom of the footplate. Still working the details out but looks like I will have to cut some grooves into the frame brace that way the rear truck can swing freely. Not a big deal. Once the trucks are secured all the brass parts will be painted. Then its off to the details.


New cab fitted over metal cab.

Rear bumper secured

Trucks with bolt and spring attached as well as the brass stip.

 

[Shawn]

Made some more progress on the Sammie conversion. I got the rear trucks installed. Had to cut away at the back end of the frame so the wheels could clear the frame as it pivots. I also attached a brace to secure the truck arm to and added a screw with a spring to add flexibility to the truck as it goes up and down. I rolled it around the micro layout and will easily negotiate the 30 inch dia curve. The Sight glass and water top off system was installed. I started making foot boards along the saddle tank. I still need to add trim and details to the new cab. My handrails and summerland chuffer came in so that ill be getting installed next. Still have to secure everything put so far this is what it looks like. Still working on a diamond stack. Im looking at trackside details diamond stack but also been searching ebay for vintage camera lens hoods. I need smaller hood to fit the stack. The stack measure 14mm. then a slightly larger one to slip over the smaller hood.


Trucks installed

 

[John Morgan]

Shawn,
Good progress so far. It's suprising what can be done with effort and imagination from a basic loco.
John.

 

[Shawn]

Thanks John.

I completed the siding on cab. Next I have to add the rails and screw the wood cab to the metal cab. Then its off to the paint shop. Im thinking of staining it with the side boards walnut. I like the my Forney looks with the stained cab. I still have to add the rails to the Saddle tank, install the Slide bar, crosshead, combination lever and union link. Then it comes apart one last time for the paint shop Getting there.

 

[funandtrains]

It is starting to look like the Accucraft plantation loco but with the Forney chassis.

There is a similar nice conversion of a Merlin-Beck loco on ebay, a pity that the seller is asking 3 times what it is worth!:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281232239305?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[Shawn]

It is starting to look like the Accucraft plantation loco but with the Forney chassis.

There is a similar nice conversion of a Merlin-Beck loco on ebay, a pity that the seller is asking 3 times what it is worth!:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281232239305?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Thanks I saw that one last week. No doubt a little pricey.

 

[funandtrains]

Thanks I saw that one last week. No doubt a little pricey.

They are probably only pricey at the moment as there are only a few left with the more expensive US dealers before the next batch arrives the price will probably drop again.

 

[StephH]

Looking very good Shawn! Changes the look brilliantly, always thought Sammy was a bit plain, this looks lovely!
atb

 

[Shawn]

Getting close to being done. I got everything painted and put back together and details added. Before putting everything back together I did a test run and too my surprise it worked.............................

Jay Kovac found a diamond stack for me at Diamond head steam up and im still waiting on my head lamp to arrive from track side. I bought some of that neolube from micromark that I plan on using for the wheels and drive rods. I also have to make the roof. Then everything will get weathered.


The pictures were not coming out good today. It looks a lot better in person

 

[Shawn]

Getting closer now. I added the roof, painted the side rods using neolube (great stuff). A few more details were added pilot steps in front and back. I ordered a headlight so I'm just waiting for it to come in and Jason is going to make a diamond stack using two of the Trackside Detail diamond stacks for me. I made a wood load for the back just waiting for it to dry and then it will get weathered lightly.