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Mystery locomotive

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  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Burlington Vt
  • 76 posts
Mystery locomotive
Posted by Bering on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 7:38 PM

Hi guys,

i am looking for a locomotive that i saw online some time ago, i am not even sure if this is a custom built machine, or a kit bash.

It looked like a  SW1500 or MP15, based locomotive,  it then had the top radiator / grill replaced with a flattened / shortened version of the grill from a SD70ace

If i remember correctly, it was painted in a Union Pacific style scheme.

If you could please help me find the locomotive, model, of parts to kit bash such a locomotive.

Lost in the snow

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 384 posts
Posted by Redore on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 10:11 PM

This sounds like one of the "Hammerhead" SW-10 switcher modifications UP did.  They replaced the front section of the hood with a full height GP7 or 9 radiator section.  Two are currently on the Minnesota, Dakota, and Western.  I understand they had cooling problems, not really a problem where they live now, International Falls, MN.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=327868&nseq=4

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 2:54 AM

REDORE,

That actually,is a pretty good looking engine.. Thanks for sharing...

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,251 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 4:39 AM

Gidday, an interesting looking switcher

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1985068

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=UP&mid=200

and there's this article here that may help regarding kitbashing one

http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/9264/union-pacific-sw10

and Microscale has HO UP decals , 87-0373.

Hope this helps,

Cheers, the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Burlington Vt
  • 76 posts
Posted by Bering on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 1:53 PM

Bering

It looked like a  SW1500 or MP15, based locomotive,  it then had the top radiator / grill replaced with a flattened / shortened version of the grill from a SD70ace

i am sorry, this was a bad description.   rather than the increased height of the loco you found, the hood was still the same height, but the grill / radiator that is the same shape as the rest of the body.  In the loco i remember, the radiator was about the size and shape as the part of the cab above the windows.  if you look at the picture below, in your head copy the cab roof line (from above the windows) Cut the top grill out of the locomotive, and place the copied piece there, then cover the top perforated sheet metal.  To recap the walkways should still be clear but the top grill extends out as wide as the locomotive.


Lost in the snow

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: California & Maine
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Posted by andrechapelon on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 6:45 PM
It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Burlington Vt
  • 76 posts
Posted by Bering on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 9:42 PM

sorry, that's not it.  I guess my description was more confusing than helpful.  Let me try to describe it one last time.

It is a modern EMD switcher (sw1500, mp15AC/DC)  where the top grill is flared out to the with of the walkway.  It kind of looks like there are canopies over the walkways, but only next to the radiator. 

Lost in the snow

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Massachusetts
  • 202 posts
Posted by Bundy74 on Thursday, August 15, 2013 12:13 PM

I think you may be describing a Genset-type loco, perhaps of NRE or Brookville heritage.  I've seen pictures of Gensets with similar features to what you describe.  Let me look and see.

**EDIT**

So it looks like the radiator section of this, but on an MP15 or SW1500 type platform?

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2779661

FYI this is a progress rail loco, maybe what you're thinking of is in their catalog?

Tags: Genset

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

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Posted by DavidH66 on Friday, August 16, 2013 8:50 AM
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
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Posted by dehusman on Friday, August 16, 2013 1:19 PM

I think he was looking at an MP15AC and thinks the flat panels above the radiator extend out over the walkway (which they don't).

If the radiator flared the full width of the frame on an SW/MP style hood it would block the walkway and be a safety hazard, plus block access the hood doors.

 

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: Cresco, IA
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Posted by ChadLRyan on Saturday, August 17, 2013 1:49 AM

From the description I want to build one.
Take the SW1000HH & put a Dash 9 Rad Panel on the nose, Cool....

Chad L Ryan
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Brooklyn, NY
  • 426 posts
Posted by Mike Kieran on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 8:16 AM

Is that a Lionel version of an MP15?

__________________________________________________________________

Mike Kieran

Port Able Railway

I just do what the majority of the voices in my head vote on.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 283 posts
Posted by Lee 1234 on Thursday, August 29, 2013 1:53 PM

Lee

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