Category Description: Information about steam locomotives, both prototype and model.
"Babies and Contractor's" The 7 and 10-ton Shays
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-09 pg. 50 Scale: Author: Mark Fry
This article describes the small and somewhat rare 7- and 10-ton Shays, where they were used, and their history. This installment contains scale drawings, prototype photos, and references.
36-ton Shay
N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 25 Scale: N Author: Ron Bearden
Converting the Atlas Shay into a light-weight wood-burning unit. Includes many close-up photos of the cosmetic changes made.
A Baldwin-built 0-6-0
Model Railroader 1978-03 pg. 74 Scale: Author: Gordon Odegard
This brief article shows scale drawings for an 0-6-0 switcher.
A Central Vermont 2-8-0 in HO Scale
Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 78 Scale: HO Author: Iain Rice
The author took a Bachmann Baldwin 2-8-0 and created an accurate model of the CV's N-5a class Consolidation. Includes prototype photos, construction model photos, parts diagrams, and a materials list. A sound decoder was installed in the tender.
A Cylindrical-type Tender for Your Bull Moose
Model Railroader 1983-01 pg. 124 Scale: HO Author: Jim Spencer
Using Strathmore paper and styrene to construct this tender for the author's 2-8-8-0. Includes scale and construction drawings.
A Review: Backhead Kit for the American Models Northern
NASG Dispatch 2010-04 pg. 12 Scale: S Author: Jerry Poniatowski
Painting and installing the backhead kit.
A Standard Gauge Baldwin Locomotive Works Geared Locomotive
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-11/12 pg. 26 Scale: Author: Terence F. Harper
This page shows scale drawings of the engine. Only one engine was ever built.
A Standard Gauge Forney
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-05 pg. 59 Scale: Author: Jim Auman
An old AHM Bowker model was used as a starting point, but it required a new motor, Kadee couplers, and much scratchbuilding to complete the model.
A Steam Dummy for My On30 Owen Thurteah & Weystead
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 68 Scale: On30 Author: Al Askerberg
This model was constructed from a Hawk Model Company cable car kit fitted with HO 0-4-0 mechanism. Includes model photos.
A Steam Tram for the Ogden Botanical Railway
Garden Railways 2005-12 pg. 74 Scale: G Author: Marc Horovitz
The author describes a very simply live-steam engine he built.
A Styrene Tender
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-04 pg. 68 Scale: HO Author: Bob Walker
Bob describes how he built a tender for a steam locomotive that he couldn't buy ready-to-run. Includes many detailed construction photos.
A USRA Mikado in Brass 6
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 76 Scale: HO Author: Gordon Odegard
In this installment, the author focuses on boiler details such as steam pipes, running boards, steam turret, air reservoirs, air pump, power reverse, various fittings, boiler bands, handrails, steps, smokebox front, ashpan, deck braces, and piping. Includes details pointed out on model photos and exploded diagrams.
A USRA Mikado in Brass Part 3
Model Railroader 1983-01 pg. 72 Scale: HO Author: Gordon Odegard
This installment the author describes how he made the bearings, gearbox, drive train, and cylinders for the locomotive. The article includes many detailed drawings and a sidebar on lathe operations.
Adding Elesco Feedwater Heaters
Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 30 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Hediger
An N Scale Mikado and Consolidation
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 86 Scale: N Author: Roger Baker
The author took a Bachmann 2-8-2 and a 2-8-0 and converted them into good models for his Rocky Coast Line layout.
An On30 Docksider
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 55 Scale: On30 Author: Allen K. Littlefield
This article describes how the author used a Bachmann 2-4-4T Forney to create a 0-4-0 Docksider. Includes construction photos, how to convert the engine to DCC, and how to detail it.
Ann Arbor 2480: Customizing a Generic Model for a Specific Prototype Part 1
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-08 pg. 84 Scale: HO Author: Tom Bailey
The author will describe in this multi-part article how he converted a Mantua (Tyco) Mikado into this model. Includes prototype and model photos, and historical scale drawings. This installment covers the mechanism, boiler, cab, tender, and boiler jacket.
Ann Arbor 2480: Customizing a Generic Model for a Specific Prototype Pt II
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-09 pg. 90 Scale: HO Author: Tom Bailey
The author takes you through steps of building a specific steam locomotive. Includes a sidebar on the Ann Arbor steam power.
Another Approach to an H5
Railroad Model Craftsman 1980-07 pg. 76 Scale: HO Author: Thomas E. Bailey
The author describes how he took an old English Mikado and converted it into a NYC Mikado.
Apex of the Atlantics
Model Railroader 1990-12 pg. 116 Scale: HO Author: Tom Busack
This article discusses the history and how to model the Pennsylvania Railroad E6 4-4-2. Article includes prototype photos, model photos, construction detail photos, and parts list. The author started with the Bowser E6 kit. He built both a 1914 and a 1920's version.
Baldwin 2-6-2 Logging Locomotive
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 114 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
Prototype photos and scale drawings describe the early 20th century Prairie-type for the Industrial Lumber Co. Includes some modeling notes for HO and O-scale models.
Basics of Steam Part 2
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-02 pg. 43 Scale: (none) Author: Rudy Kouhoupt
This installment of the series describes the purpose and inner workings of the steam locomotive's cylinders. Includes photos and drawings of the different cylinder types.
Basics of Steam Part 3
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-09 pg. 40 Scale: (none) Author: Rudy Kouhoupt
This installment covers valve gears, accompanied by close-up prototype photos of the Stephenson, Walschaerts, and Baker valve gears.
Basics of Steam: External Details Part 5
Railroad Model Craftsman 1973-09 pg. 53 Scale: (none) Author: Rudy Kouhoupt
Covers the lifting injection system, the air compressor system, and the Elesco feedwater heater system. Includes lots of close-up photos of prototype engines.
Better-running N Scale Switchers
Model Railroader 1988-02 pg. 96 Scale: N Author: Philip H. Mott
N-scale 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 steam switchers can be very troublesome to run, especially over insulated frog turnouts. The author describes how he adds wipers to the middle set of drivers on these engines (Model Power, Life-Like, and Atlas). His experience show a dramatic improvement in the running characteristics of these engines.
Boston & Maine Atlantic in HO Scale
Model Railroader 1987-12 pg. 107 Scale: HO Author: Ken Robbins
Accompanied by the finished model photos, the article describes how the author built this model almost completely from scratch.
Bridgton & Saco River RR's Engine no. 7
Model Railroader 1978-01 pg. 66 Scale: Author: Allen J. Brewster
The 2-foot-gauge railroad received a 2-4-4-T (a modified Forney). This article describes the engine, includes many prototype photos, and several scale drawings.
Building a PRR B8a 0-6-0 Part 1
O Scale Trains Magazine 01 March 2002 pg. 36 Scale: Author: John Sauers
These engines were built between 1903 and 1917 and were re-classified to B8a to be used as yard switchers. The article describes how the author built this engine. Includes scale drawings
Building a PRR B8a 0-6-0 Part 2
O Scale Trains Magazine 02 May 2002 pg. 40 Scale: O Author: John Sauers
This installment covers the construction of the cab, the rear deck, bunker, steps, boiler, cylinders, front pilots, and interior details.
Constant Directional Lighting for N Scale Steam Engines
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-05 pg. 69 Scale: N Author: Philip H. Mott
The author describes how he installed directional lighting in a Model Power 0-6-0. Includes construction photos and drawings.
Converting a Sunset 1947 H8SC to a 1930 H8SB
The Keystone Modeler 73 Spring 2010 pg. 8 Scale: HO Author: Frank Duff
The title says it all. Includes close-up model photos of detail parts, construction highlights, and DCC wiring.
Custom Coal Loads
Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 23 Scale: G Author: Kevin Strong
The author describes how he built a real-coal load form-fitted to the electronics that goes into the tender.
D&RGW Standard-gauge Mikados
Model Railroader 1978-03 pg. 80 Scale: Author: Tom Dressler
Variations on individual engines maintain a family appearance. Many prototype photos of Mikados.
DL&W Q1 4-8-4
Railroad Model Craftsman 1974-02 pg. 42 Scale: (none) Author: Robert A. LeMassena
Two prototype photos, a brief description, and scale drawings make up this article about this engine.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway #777
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 40 Scale: (none) Author: Jeff Scherb
This is a 2-foot Gauge 0-4-0T engine that ran the very steep railway track. It is now retired in a museum. Many prototype photos. Also included are scale drawings and two photos of the small passenger cars.
Dunckley Northern Railway #4 and #5
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-09/10 pg. 38 Scale: Large Scale Author: John Morrison
Several before and after painted photos accompany this article on the author's scratchbuilt, 1:24, 45mm gauge "Colonial Engines". These are engines designed for the British Colonies. He built them over modified commercial mechanisms by LGB, Bachmann, and Hartland.
Earl Johnson's Siamese Twins
Model Railroader 1978-03 pg. 64 Scale: HO Author: various authors
A prototype photo of two 0-6-0 engines merged together at the cab proved the validity of Earl Johnson's Duplex Compound 0-6-6-0T engine.
Five Into Three
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 42 Scale: G Author: Roger Baker
The author describes how he took two Bachmann 2-4-2s and a 4-6-0, and built a single 2-4-4-2 out of them. Next, he took two 0-4-0Ts and made a 2-4-0 and a small 0-4-0 industrial switcher out of them.
Free-rolling Steam Locomotive Drive
Model Railroader 1985-11 pg. 90 Scale: O Author: Takashi Daito
The author converted an NYC Mohawk such that it can be pushed down the track by hand. The conversion included building a multiple-thread worm, thrust ball bearings, and a coreless motor. The idea is that if you can easily push the engine down the track, when it receives track power, it will run very smoothly. Detailed photos and diagrams are included.
From Main Line to Branch Line: Two Locomotives in One
Model Railroader 1990-01 pg. 128 Scale: N Author: Roger Baker, Jr.
The author converts a Bachmann 2-8-2 into a 2-6-2 Prairie.
Gary Mittner’s 1:29 Scale Class B6SB - 4001
The Keystone Modeler 04 November 2003 pg. 0 Scale: G Author: (none)
Final photos of the model, whose progress can be see at this web site:
Glacier Park Mike
Model Railroader 1984-12 pg. 162 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Pearsall
Painting a black Great Northern. Includes two GN prototype photos.
HO Pennsy I1 Decapod
Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 82 Scale: HO Author: Frank A. Costanzi
One prototype photo. Model photos with changes made to the Bowser model. Lighting circuit correction is in April 2000 issue page 14.
HO Steam Kit Dimensional Data
Model Railroader 1990-02 pg. 121 Scale: HO Author: Alan Mende
The author compares various manufacturer's HO-scale kits of various wheel arrangements to determine which would make good basis for kitbashing or scratchbuilding your own steam locomotive.
Heavy Pacific and Mikado
Model Railroader 1982-06 pg. 80 Scale: HO Author: Jim Morin
The article covers upgrading two Rivarossi HO-scale models. Includes model photos and detail drawings.
How I Scratchbuilt My First Steam Locomotive Part 3
Railroad Model Craftsman 1980-12 pg. 96 Scale: On3 Author: Bob Walker
In this installment of the construction of the Virginia Midland 4-6-0 covers the running gear, boiler, and cab. Includes diagrams and close-up photos.
Improving Coal Loads on Ready-to-run Steam Locomotive Tenders
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-11 pg. 49 Scale: Author: Robert E. Mohowski
The author describes how he removed the plastic coal load in his Broadway Limited PRR M1 tender with a very realistic-looking load. Includes step-by-step photos as well as one prototype photo of a PRR M1, taken from above.
L&N's H-29
N-Scale 2002-07/08 pg. 48 Scale: N Author: Paul J. Downs
The author describes how he converted two Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 locomotives to match the Louisville & Nashville H-29 Consolidation. Includes several prototype photos, many construction photos, and includes DCC conversion. An exploded parts diagram of the model is shown on page 54.
Labor of Love
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-12 pg. 78 Scale: Large Scale Author: Bob Walker
The author describes what he went through to try to build a static one-inch scale model of a Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0.
Making Headlight Lenses the Easy Way
Model Railroader 1987-11 pg. 131 Scale: (none) Author: Garry F. Cerrone
Using 5-minute epoxy to create headlight lenses.
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Pacifics
Model Railroader 1985-11 pg. 92 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
The author describes the MKT H-3 Pacific engines and the article includes prototype photos, scale drawings, and notes on how it might be modeled in HO.
Modeling China's - and Now Iowa's - Mighty QJ 2-10-2's
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-02 pg. 62 Scale: HO Author: Robert D. Turner
These engines were brought to the U.S. for possible tourist service from China. The article includes prototype photos of the engines in their native China and now in Iowa. The second half of the article covers how to model this engine using the Bachmann HO-scale model.
Modeling Eastern Narrow Gauge Steam Using the Roundhouse 2-8-0
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-07 pg. 53 Scale: HOn3 Author: George Pierson
The author shows how he modified this locomotive to work reliably on narrow gauge track. He also briefly discusses the 4-6-0 he converted.
Modeling Northern Pacific Trains 57 and 58
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 72 Scale: HO Author: Jim Morin
Number 57 left Duluth with the North Coast Limited and returned as number 58. The author started with Model Power's USRA Light Pacific. Article includes model and prototype photos, scale drawings and detail close-ups.
Modeling Pacific Coast Railway's No. 107 in Nn3
N Scale Railroading 2005-03/04 pg. 44 Scale: Nn3 Author: Tom Knapp
A Marklin Mini-Club Z-scale N0. 8896 2-8-2 chassis was used to create a model of the Pacific Coast Railway's 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotive as built by Baldwin between 1904 and 1906. The superstructure was the Aspen Model's RGS #74 kit. The locomotive has a Lenz decoder installed in the tender. The article includes a drawing of the prototype engine.
Modeling Philadelphia & Reading "Russian Decapod" No. 1127
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-12 pg. 58 Scale: HO Author: Rob Davis
Article includes history of the 2-10-0 destined for Russia in the early 1900's. 200 of these didn't make it there, so the article covers where they ended up and more specifically covers the P&R 1127. Includes many prototype photos. Many close-up photos of the modifications made to the model are also included.
Modeling The Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part 1
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-08 pg. 70 Scale: HO Author: Robert F. Fischer
This article covers many steam locomotives of the CNJ. It contains many prototype photos, and a track diagram of the Wilkes-Barre Mountain area. A sidebar discusses the details of a CNJ Mikado.
Modeling The Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part II
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-10 pg. 66 Scale: HO Author: Robert J. Davis
This installment of the article concludes by discussing the tender, its sound system, added details, and painting and lettering.
Modeling an H6SB in N-Scale
The Keystone Modeler 75 Autumn 2010 pg. 37 Scale: N Author: Claus Schlund
This article is a step-by-step photo documentation of how to take an Atlas 2-8-2 chassis and a Minitrix B6sb shell to build this engine.
Modeling the Class T1 Duplex 4-4-4-4 5523 Part 1
The Keystone Modeler 05 December 2003 pg. 0 Scale: HO Author: Tom Hayden
This article starts off describing how the author built this engine from a Bowser boiler and a PennLine chassis and tender. Includes construction photos as well as detail drawings.
Modeling the Class T1 Duplex 4-4-4-4 5523 Part 2
The Keystone Modeler 06 January 2004 pg. 0 Scale: HO Author: Tom Hayden
This installment covers building the tender, painting, weathering, and applying decals (including drawings of prototype placement of the decals), and installing wiring, DCC, and lighting.
Modeling the Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part I
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-09 pg. 50 Scale: HO Author: Robert J. Davis
The author describes how he converted a Broadway Limited USRA Heavy Mikado into a model of this locomotive. The articles includes a parts list, modeling photos (including intermediate modifications).
My Favorite Narrow-gauge Locomotive
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 46 Scale: Author: Peter Jones
A South African Cape 7th 4-8-0.
Nevada Copper Belt 2-8-0
Model Railroader 1984-04 pg. 64 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
This small Consolidation was built for the Nevada railroad in 1911. The article includes one prototype photo and scale drawings, with suggestions for how this model could be built in HO-scale.
New Machinery for a Damaged Brass Pacific
Model Railroader 1985-10 pg. 96 Scale: HO Author: Jim Hoffman
The author describes how he replaced the frame and mechanism of a badly-behaving brass locomotive with Bowser parts.
North Pacific Coast Railroad
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-11/12 pg. 56 Scale: Author: Gary Caviglia
This two-pager shows scale drawings of the Baldwin Locomotive Works engine. No other information is provided.
O&W's Light 400's
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-04 pg. 36 Scale: (none) Author: Raymond W. Brown & Jack W. Farrell
In 1922 the New York, Ontario & Western received four 400's 4-8-2 steam locomotives for passenger train service. This article includes many prototype photos, a center-spread painting, and scale drawings
Presenting the ACE 3000
Model Railroader 1982-06 pg. 77 Scale: (none) Author: Andy Sperandeo
A "new steam" locomotive in the 1980's. The article includes an artist's rendition of the locomotive, scale drawings, and modeling notes.
RMC/Dremel Kitbashing Award
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-06 pg. 36 Scale: HO Author: Bob Kjellander
Some quick notes about how the Pacific Fast Mail Santa Fe 2-8-0 was converted into a 0-8-0.
Reading RR Atlantics
Model Railroader 1988-02 pg. 89 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
The Reading RR had ten camelbacks for passenger service. They were built in 1905 and 1906. The article includes prototype photos, complete scale drawings, and notes on how one might model these in HO-scale.
Realistic Weathering for Steam Locomotives
Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 50 Scale: (none) Author: John Pryke
Here's how to weather your plastic steamers to look like the real thing. Includes information on how prototype engines weather.
Rebuilding a Docksider
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-09 pg. 80 Scale: HO Author: Steve Sint
Redetailing a Sakura Docksider.
Rebuilding the Dorothy
Scale Rails 2006-02 pg. 17 Scale: (none) Author: Wayne Wesolowski
"The Dorothy" was a 4-2-4 steam locomotive used to inspect and review the tracks by the Lehigh Valley.
Remotoring for Better Performance
Model Railroader 1985-12 pg. 94 Scale: HO Author: Jim Hoffman
The author describes how to remotor (mostly) steam models by AHM/Rivarossi, Athearn, Bowser, MDC, and Mantua (Tyco). An Athearn GP9 is also covered.
Repowering Mantua's Camelback Mikado
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 86 Scale: HO Author: Richard Knotts
The author describes how he upgraded the engine's motor with a Sagami can motor.
Rockton & Rion Porter 0-4-0T
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-12 pg. 75 Scale: Author: Thomas A. Yorke
This engine was built between 1893 and 1897 and was in operation until 1970. It didn't have a road number. Includes prototype photos and scale drawings.
Russians and Yellow Jackets
Model Railroader 1978-02 pg. 94 Scale: HO Author: Thomas D. Dressler
This article covers two locomotives of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Ry, and how the author built his models.
Rusty - A Four-wheel Climax
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-10 pg. 60 Scale: G Author: Thomas A. Yorke
The model is built to Gn15 scale. These cars were used to pull logs out of forests. They were ugly, but powerful. The mechanism for this odd car came from a Bachmann On30 streetcar. Scale drawings and close-up detail photos are included.
Shay
Railroad Model Craftsman 1977-08 pg. 34 Scale: HO Author: Joe Luber
A summary of imported brass Shays in HO narrow and standard gauge with photographic studies of typical representatives of the sidewinder breed of steam locomotives.
Shay Improvement
N-Scale 2006-07/08 pg. 28 Scale: N Author: Ron Bearden
This article covers modifying the couplers to look more prototypical, installing the DCC decoder (with lots of close-up photos on the modifications made), and making some minor cosmetic improvements to the engine.
She's a Lady
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-03 pg. 110 Scale: (none) Author: Keith Wills
Models of the 2-2-2, 4-4-0, and 4-4-2 toy trains.
South Pacific Coast Railroad #13
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 54 Scale: (none) Author: Gary Caviglia
Scale drawings of engines #13, 18, and 19
Steam Country
Railroad Model Craftsman 1977-08 pg. 42 Scale: O Author: Randy Harter
Photo essay of steam locomotives set in the 1940's of the Chicago & Illinois Midland. Many close-ups of scenic details as locomotive come through the layout.
Superdetailing a Pacific Coast Shay 1
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 50 Scale: O Author: Allen J. Brewster
The author starts his series on how he built and then superdetailed the O-scale Sunset Models Pacific Coast Shay, a standard gauge engine. The article contains prototype photos, completed model photos, parts photos and diagrams, and construction detail drawings.
The Art of Steam
N-Scale 2000-05/06 pg. 36 Scale: N Author: Gregory Scott
Improving an Atlas 2-8-8-2.
The Art of Steam
N-Scale 2000-07/08 pg. 42 Scale: N Author: Gregg Scott
Taking a Kato Pacific Japanese 4-6-2, converted with GHQ's W-3 conversion kit, to build a NP Pacific.
The Art of Steam Part 2
N-Scale 2002-03/04 pg. 32 Scale: N Author: Gregg Scott
Model the tender for the Pennsylvania Railroad I1 Class "Decapod". A styrene model was built and then cast into polyurethane. Details were added, including a water scoop, and the model was painted. Includes how the author created eight-wheel trucks.
The Essence of Daylight
Model Railroader 1988-02 pg. 114 Scale: N Author: Roger Baker, Jr.
The author converts a Bachmann Northern to model the Southern Pacific's GS Daylight. Model modification drawings and some construction photos are included.
The Numbers Game
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 18 Scale: Author: Kevin Strong
This article explains how steam locomotive wheel arrangements are classified, and what their corresponding nicknames were. It also covers Shays and other out-of-the-ordinary engines.
The Unforgettable Class T1
The Keystone Modeler 05 December 2003 pg. 0 Scale: (none) Author: Al Buchan
Upgrading the MDC Shay Part I
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-01 pg. 64 Scale: HO Author: Jeff Johnston
The author states that the model runs very well if as built, but adding an NWSL metal gearbox and a Sagami motor with flywheels really makes it purr. Also discussed are contact wipers, side rods, and universal shafts
Walthers’ HO Scale Broadway Limited
The Keystone Modeler 74 Summer 2010 pg. 7 Scale: HO Author: Jerry Britton
How the new Broadway Limited can be used to make prototypical trains. Various time periods are covered.
Western Pacific locomotive No. 14
NMRA Bulletin 2002-07 pg. 71 Scale: (none) Author: Harold Miller
Photo taken in 1939.
When Things Go Wrong
Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 104 Scale: G Author: Jeff Young
Various things that can go wrong with live steam engines and how one might fix them.
Where 4-8-4's were Poconos
Railroad Model Craftsman 1974-02 pg. 44 Scale: (none) Author: Robert A. LeMassena
On the Delaware & Lackawanna the 4-8-4's were called "Notherns", but rather "Poconos". The article provides complete history and many prototype photos.
Working Windows, Hatches Part 3
O Scale Trains Magazine 03 July 2002 pg. 10 Scale: Author: Harry Hieke
Building working roof hatches.
Working Windows, Hatches & Doors Part 1
O Scale Trains Magazine 01 March 2002 pg. 14 Scale: Author: Harry Hieke
This series of articles will cover how to making working windows, hatches, and doors for steam locomotives. This first part covers the typical tools you need.
Working Windows, Hatches & Doors Part 2
O Scale Trains Magazine 02 May 2002 pg. 47 Scale: Author: Harry Hieke
This installment covers building working cab windows for a steam engine. Includes construction drawings.