7 1/2 gage Crab Rebuild Project

[banjoart]

I just acquired an incomplete Crab loco in poor condition. Could the members please look at the pictures to see if they recognize it. I'd like to locate drawings or any info on its construction. I was told it was from the 60's. Perhaps it was built from a magazine article or kit. It appears to be all steel construction with zinc plate under the black paint. Also the aluminum drivers are recent.
Any help would be appreciated.

members.cox.net/artg26/crab/crab.htm

Thanks
--Art

[patyoung]

Hello Art,

There might be a remote chance that it started
out as a Little Engines 0-4-0 crab engine and was
modified with the addition of another axle. Look at
their web page at

www.littleengines.com/0-4-0%20Crab.htm

and see if the specifications match.

If not, I'll review my Live Steam magazine collection
for any matching ads, photos or plans. There are some
gaps in my collection I was hoping to fill, but I see that
you are doing some serious bidding to also add to your
collection. ;D

Happy times with your new project and I hope
you will keep us informed!

Regards,

Pat Y.

[banjoart]

Thanks Pat, I've checked the specs on LE and it doesn't match. LE is 0-4-0 with much smaller cylinders. I'm hoping to find something in some of the Live Steams I have coming in.
--Art

[banjoart]

After looking around some more, I came across a photo of a B&O 1844 Mud Digger in the Nov/Dec 2003 Live Steam mag. It has the exact 0-8-0 driver layout as this loco so I'm fairly sure that was the prototype for the engine. In the magazine photo you can see the gearing under the cab that drives the last axle to connect the cylinder with the drive wheel.

Unless something else comes up, I'll try and put it back together to look like the "Mud Digger". I still think this loco started life as some sort of kit way back when.

--Art