The Mantua/Tyco 4-4-0 models originally have a metal weight that fills the cab interior to aid with the locomotive's traction. However when the weight is removed it leaves a lovely open space inside and I decided to take sacrifice a little traction for a detailed cab interior.

The backhead was a plastic part I found on Ebay some time ago and was hoping to use it on my Wagon Top boilered 2-8-0 locomotive, but it was FAR too small for that so into the parts bin it went. Now that I picked up my modeling again and wanted to add interior detail I decided to to use the backhead part for my HO model of the "Texas".

I fashioned a small portion of the "boiler" out of a receipt paper tube and glued it to the plastic backhead. I then drilled a small hole and press fitted a brass throttle available from PSC. (Precision Scale Co.) With how the cab is mounted to the boiler/body shell I had to cut a small notch for the backhead to fit inside the cab. Once the cab and other details are in place and painted the whole piece will be glued into the cab as one assembly.

Future details will include, but are not limited to:
Brake/Brake Stand
Gauges
Johnson Bar/reverser
Tri Cocks & Drip Tray
Lubricator
Valves
And Piping.

Not to mention the locomotive crew.

Comment if you fave please!

NOTE: this photo was taken before I removed the running boards and replaced the sand dome.