Thinking about designing some locomotive models, but want to concentrate on the shell rather than frame, motors and electronics. Is there a company that sells stripped model locomotive "innards" upon which to base a design? Considering diesel locos only at this point, but could see doing a steam engine some time in the future. Currently considering scales HO, N & Z. Thanks in advance.
InterMountain used to sell chassis but I don't see them listed on their website. Maybe give them a call. Their stuff is good quality.
https://www.intermountain-railway.com/
Bowser might be willing to sell chassis too:
https://www.bowser-trains.com/history/locoindex.html
You could also search eBay for locomotives and just scrap (or kitbash) the shells.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Multiscale.DigitalIs there a company that sells stripped model locomotive "innards" upon which to base a design?
Hi and
As Dave mentions Intermountain and Bowser have sold "guts" and I've bought some Athearn Genesis chassis, too.
But, what you'll generally find is that you are getting a big, die-cast brick. There won't be much freedom to do any "designing" unless you want to chop away at the inside weight block.
Overland has a simple frame with motor that would allow you much more freedom for design work:
http://www.overlandhobbies.com/EMD_SD40_2_Brass_Chassis_p/omi2262.htm
This is just a suggestion, mind you. There are some early Athearn HO diesel frames that don't have too much inside in the way of weights and such and the parts are readily available and they are fairly reasonable. These generally go by the "Blue-Box" moniker as many of the earlier Athearn cars and locomotives were sold in a ubiquitous blue box.
Sometimes the Athearn blue-box locomotives can be found at such a reasonable price it really doesn't matter if there is a shell or not. Simply set the shell aside for future projects.
Good Luck, Ed
gmpullmanThere are some early Athearn HO diesel frames that don't have too much inside in the way of weights and such and the parts are readily available and they are fairly reasonable. These generally go by the "Blue-Box" moniker as many of the earlier Athearn cars and locomotives were sold in a ubiquitous blue box.
.
to the Model Railroader forums. The first few posts you make will be delayed by the moderators. This ends pretty quickly. Please stay around through the moderation phase and join into the conversations.
I would love to see your locomotive projects.
Like Ed, I often use Athearn Blue Box locomotive "guts" for my projects. There was a company called Proto-Power-West that sold remotored and tuned Athearn frames with Mashima motors. These are great if you can find them.
Also, Overland brass models has imported power frames that run OK, but have very little of the mechanism above the frame level. I have used these for a couple of special projects.
All of the above options will need to be converted to DCC if that is the control system you use.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Welcome to the MRR forums.
I'll add to the great replies you've gotten so far, I get a lot of powered chassis, and all kinds of parts off Ebay. There are some sellers that specialize in locomotive chassie and drive train parts.
Also check the various manufactuers, such as Athearn, Atlas, Kato, Bachmann, BLI, Bowser, and more, as many of them offer motors, drive train parts, including powered trucks, etc., and other parts.
Those are my first "go-to" options.
As I think of more , I'll come back and add. There are so many suppliers of motors, and chassie parts, it's hard to remember all that I have come across.
Much of what I needed and where to find it, I found through the members of these forums, asking who, what and where, for something specific.
Mike.
My You Tube
Cost wise you may find it cheapest just to buy entire locomotives and ditch the shell. This is espeically true of locos with damaged bodies or missing parts.
Blue Box powered Chassis are a classic standby for DIY. Reliable, easy to work with and plenty of space.
For specific recomendations, it's probably best to decide an aproximate length, wheelbase, type of trucks and number of wheels and then folks will be able to suggest particular models that would work.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
I had this recollection that somebody has revived the old Hobbytown of Boston line of aftermarket frames and drivetrains. Back in the pre-DCC era Hobbytown was the go-to place for that. Overland (the brass importers) used to bring in stuff as well but I do not see them advertise much.
I agree with the other posters that at swap meets you might well end up paying the same or even more for a power chassis alone versus a complete loco with shell!
Dave Nelson
Here's a link to the "new" hobbytown of Boston.
https://hobbytownofboston.com/
It apparently hasn't been updated in quite some time so its not clear to me whether it is still a viable supplier.
Another long-time supplier of diesel frames, motors & flywheels, trucks, etc. is A-Line/Proto Power. West.
https://ppw-aline.com/
drciesel Here's a link to the "new" hobbytown of Boston. https://hobbytownofboston.com/ It apparently hasn't been updated in quite some time so its not clear to me whether it is still a viable supplier.
Hobbytown of Boston is very much in business, if you need anything just e-mail him. He often posts on the Repowering and Regearing IO. Group site, and is adding new drivelines with metric connections to fit the newer motors.
By the way due to some unethical body suppliers of copywrited models, many of the manufacturers will no longer supply parts for those using these shells.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!