EMD Export G12

[Anonymous]

Hi all,
I was just wondering, but is there a HO scale model of a EMD or Clyde Engineering (of Australia) G12 or G16 locomotive? These are export locomotives from General Motors and Clyde Engineering bought the design and built them in Australia for export to many countries. I am trying to find one so I can model the G12 or G16 locomotives of the Kowloon Canton Railway of Hong Kong in the mid 70's. Thx

Examples can be found on this site:
http://www.hkrs.org.hk/members/garyto/index.htm
The G12 locomotives are numbered from 51-55
The G16 locomotives are numbered from 56-59

[Anonymous]

Lima, a model train manufacturer from Italy, used to produce the only model of a GM export diesel in HO that I know of. It was a model of a South African 6-axle diesel, I'm almost sure it's the one on this photo:
http://emdexport.railfan.net/africa/safrica10.html
It could be used as a starting point for kitbashing one of your low-nose diesels, nos. 60-62. The truck sideframes would have to be replaced, the turbocharger cooling fan/intakes/grills removed, fuel tank modified.... I'll try to get the catalog number of the model & overall length. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued. Maybe try ebay?
The mechanism of this model was somewhat unusual - it had a centrally placed can motor with a single shaft, driving only the rear truck. But, if you're considering the kitbash, you could use the IHC SD40 made by Mehano, Slovenia - it has the correct trucks (not the latest in detail, but better than Lima originals) and they are both powered. The same model of the SD40 but with the older motor and only 4 axles powered was sold under the AHM and Model Power brands, some with flywheels and body mounted couplers and trucks different from those on your prototypes, some with talgo trucks which were correct for you. The chassis is plastic, so it's easy to shorten it and fit the Lima body to it.
But somehow I get the feeling you're not really interested in what I propose since you weren't mentioning locos nos. 60-61.
Have fun,
Oliver