I
was in HO from about 1977 to 1987. Bachmann came out with a plastic Reading
I10sa. I was by far not a Reading modeler at that time but it was a nice
detailed loco so I got 1. It ran pretty well but was noisy. Since then it has
remained a favorite loco of mine. Many years later when I was in S Scale I
found out a I10sa was available. Getting my first
I10sa started my Reading modeling in S.
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These
are the I10sa assembly instructions. It
was a significant effort to assemble and complete.
Reading
I10sa 2005
I bought this Reading I10sa as shown on eBay in December 2009.
The cab, firebox and tender shell are true American Flyer parts. The rest
pretty much is brass made from S Scale Loco & Supply parts. It was possibly
a rare kit offered back in the day and I imagine even rarer when assembled
especially to this level. Locos bought right from master S Scale Reading
modeler Frank Titman where date stamped on the driver axle cover plate. 2005 is
stamped 8-23-83. I did not know for years but I now think this confirms 2005
was built by Frank. I have found that Frank built locos just to sell. Whether
2005 was Frank’s personal loco for a while or built to sell I cannot say.
I was not as much into project documentation as I am now. There
are only 2 photos of the can motor conversion from 2009. I made a rather
elaborate motor mount. The can motor was sold by my friend Fred Rouse. It has
low RPM running making it perfect for this use. I used it to convert other
Frank built locos to can motors as well. Obviously there is no gearbox. Getting
the worm gear on the motor aligned and properly meshing with the axle gear can
be very time consuming. Note the angle adjustment I built into the motor mount.
These
photos were taken on 9-21-20
Another
Reading I10sa
Added
2-12-21
In January 2021 I bought another I10sa at the same time as my
Reading G1sb
and Blue Comet train.
This loco was built by my friend Mike Ferraro. It needs lots of work with
changing most of the wheels from code 125 to code 110. I have to do the can
motor conversion and add DCC. That is what I did to the G1sb and Blue Comet. It
is likely going to get a complete new paint job as well. It was stored badly
and was quite dirty. As shown below it is in “barn find” condition. I literally
ran it under a trickle of water in my utility sink to clean it. I do not know
what number I am making it yet.
Added 2-20-21
I10sa
2018
Reading
I10sa Shamokin PA 1953
Robert
Wanner Photo
I decided to make the new loco 2018 because that is on John
Hall’s decal sheet. One of the first changes needed was adding the can motor.
On my Reading G1sb
I briefly tried to keep the Pittman open frame motor. There was an issue with
the decoder of uncontrolled running I never did figure out I just changed
motors instead. I just copied the motor mount I made for I10sa 2005. I turned a
brass bushing from 1/8 brass round stock. The worm gear was recycled and
soldered in place. I got lucky the gear engagement was pretty good the first
time. This motor makes a lot more free space in the cab and firebox than the
giant Pittman motor.
Updated
9-17-23
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