I'm currently working on a model of an EMD export locomotive, a GT26CW-2. In my search for a suitable drivetrain/trucks, I came across Frateschi, a Brazillian model company. I've read various reports that some of their locomotives are not true HO, but the 2-axle and A1A trucks on their G12s are HO despite the rest of the locomotive being closer to OO.
Might be a long shot, but does anyone know if the 3-axle trucks on their G22CU are true HO?
Are there any suppliers of Frateschi products in the US? All I can find are eBay listings that ship from Australia.
Finally, are there any other sources for an export EMD 3-axle truck? I've kept an eye on the Lines West SDL39 progress, and I've found some Australian models that are out of production, but Frateschi seems to be the most readily avaliable.
Thanks in advance.
-Peter. Mantua collector, 3D printing enthusiast, Korail modeler.
I have no clue what to answer, but I will be following this thread since Frateshi makes some G22u models in the Ferrocarriles Argentinos paint scheme nearly identical to the ones I saw myself when I lived in Argentina from 2013-15. So I have been super tempted to buy one for some time now, and I would love to hear people's thoughts too.
xboxtravis7992 I have no clue what to answer, but I will be following this thread since Frateshi makes some G22u models in the Ferrocarriles Argentinos paint scheme nearly identical to the ones I saw myself when I lived in Argentina from 2013-15. So I have been super tempted to buy one for some time now, and I would love to hear people's thoughts too.
Hobbytec Modelismo makes resin shells of the G22 that are true HO scale. You do need to source a mechanism for them, Frateschi is an option, but they would probably look better for what you are looking for.
Peter,
Do you happen to know the wheelbase)s) on those C-C trucks you're looking for? That may help tracking them down.
It would not surprise me if you end up finding an Australian-based solution here, either. They ran a variety of diesels on different gauges, so there been a cottage industry in conversion mechanisms for various models. That where my HOn3 DL-531 came from, a Powerline shell atop a K&M Engineering HOn3 chassis. The chassis is all brass except for the plastic truck sideframe, which simply plug into each side of the truck. This sounds like it could offer a solution for you. However, K&M when out of business some years ago, but would almost bet similar offerings may be available in that market today.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Bunch of years ago, there was a table at the Timonium MD train show with a guy selling Fretaschi locos, I don't remember if he was acting as a dealer or just buying them and reselling. Some he had repainted because aprt from some details, they are the same model of locomotive used in the US, or at least a close facsimile, and offerings which were only otherwise available in brass. So expensive brass, or a reasonably close stand in.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
mlehman Peter, Do you happen to know the wheelbase)s) on those C-C trucks you're looking for? That may help tracking them down. It would not surprise me if you end up finding an Australian-based solution here, either. They ran a variety of diesels on different gauges, so there been a cottage industry in conversion mechanisms for various models. That where my HOn3 DL-531 came from, a Powerline shell atop a K&M Engineering HOn3 chassis. The chassis is all brass except for the plastic truck sideframe, which simply plug into each side of the truck. This sounds like it could offer a solution for you. However, K&M when out of business some years ago, but would almost bet similar offerings may be available in that market today.
Mike, according to The Diesel Shop, the overall truck wheelbase is 11’11”. I’m not sure what the center axle spacing is, all I know for certain is that it’s off-center. https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20EMD%20GT26CW.HTML
Randy, this is the Frateschi locomotive in question:
This is the locomotive I’m building:
There exists a brass model of this locomotive, but it is very pricy, thus my effort to build it myself. This is the truck from that model:
Hope that helps clarify a bit!
The trucks on my K&M Engineering chassis have intermediate wheelbases of 6'10" and 5'6" with an overall wheelbase of 12'4".