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PROJECT FRAKENSTEIN

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PROJECT FRAKENSTEIN
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:26 AM
After visiting this site: http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/bw-apoc4.html , I have decided to start my own project.

I will take two Athearn HO RTR F7A units, and make ONE UNIT! I plan to make a double header locomotive. I will replace the B trucks, with C trucks. I also wi***o custom paint the new Frakenstein locomotive, and add extra detail.

I like to be unprototypical. So, this is a good kitbashing project for someone like me.

Feedback anyone?

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:29 AM
Interesting Project.

Let us see the end (pun) results. lol
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Posted by orsonroy on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:33 AM
Splicing two F units together and mounting them to an SD frame sounds like it'll look like a mini-Little Joe, or something from Europe.

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:33 AM
I want to take pictures along the way, so I will post them when ever I get the project going. It will happen, and start before the Summer's end!

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 12:35 PM
Hello TrainFreak409, [:)]

Something interesting here: There are prototypes that look similar to what you want to do.

In Australia, there have been EMD E units (called "A units" in Australia) that were double ended. I got to see one on a PBS special a few years ago pulling a passenger train at speed. Neat looking units though I thought the horns mounted on top of the nose looked rather strange! The ends themselves looked just like your typical E and F unit bulldog cabs. Locomotive Engineers (called "Drivers" down under) operate from the left side instead of the right side like in the U.S.A.

Check out www.railpictures.net

Go down to the blank "Key Word" box and type in Australia. There should be some photos of these units on there. May help you with some ideas as you're doing a very similar version of these locomotives. [8D][;)]

It would help to use a computer connected to a "high speed" service as there are A LOT of pages and photos of these locomotives are scattered throughout. The high speed will help you go through them.

Let us know what you think of the photos. Keep us posted on your progress, should be a sharp looking unit! [:D][:p][8D]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by lupo on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 1:20 PM
Great idea, Trainfreak!
I see you like UP turbines, so what you want to build gonna resemble UP turbine #50?
that had twin cabs !
Overland does one in brass:
L [censored] O
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Posted by brothaslide on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 3:39 PM
I still like the idea of 12,600 HP DD90MAC AC
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Posted by cwclark on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 3:47 PM
can't be any worse than those DD 45's they used to run out west in the coal country

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 3:53 PM
sounds like quite a project. And that's a very good site, it tempted me to build a 4-2-2 Antartic... or perhaps a 4-14-4 in case I feel a bit communist.
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Posted by Noah Hofrichter on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 3:54 PM
Should be cool. I can't wait to see your end result.

Noah
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 1, 2004 12:45 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Noah Hofrichter

Should be cool. I can't wait to see your end result.

Noah



Hey, that's what I said. [:D] [:)] [:D]
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Thursday, July 1, 2004 8:16 PM
Hey everyone!
It seems that more people are interested than I thought!

AntonioFP45- Thanks for the information, I never would have guessed! But hey, anything is possible, so I should have expected that a similar unit existed. And, fast speed internet connection is hard to achieve around here. Mom thinks a cable connection is too expensive. I run on a 56k modem running at 28k tops, due to 30 year old phone lines.

lupo- I SURE DO LIKE TURBINES! And you are right, I had Number 50 in mind while creating this project! I have seen that picture before somewhere.

flyingscot- If you make a 4-2-2, or a 4-14-4, let us know! The P&R, Philly and Reading railroad, had 4-2-2's, in normal, and camelback styles.

Thank you all for your feedback. And, if you want to help this project along, I AM ACCEPTING DONATIONS! If there is anybody willing to contribute, I can provide you with my address.

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 1, 2004 8:21 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainFreak409

H flyingscot- If you make a 4-2-2, or a 4-14-4, let us know! The P&R, Philly and Reading railroad, had 4-2-2's, in normal, and camelback styles.


real 4-2-2s? how nooovel!

One more thing: would anyone here DARE to build this gargantuan?
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Friday, July 2, 2004 10:28 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by flyingscot

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainFreak409

H flyingscot- If you make a 4-2-2, or a 4-14-4, let us know! The P&R, Philly and Reading railroad, had 4-2-2's, in normal, and camelback styles.


real 4-2-2s? how nooovel!

One more thing: would anyone here DARE to build this gargantuan?



If you think the Quadraplex is something, what about the Quintaplex?! Actually drawn, and planned, it was a 2-8-8-8-8-8-2, and a 2-10-10-10-10-10-2! Five sets of drivers! Does anybody want to build it?

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Friday, July 2, 2004 10:37 AM
I SPELLED FRANKENSTEIN WRONG IT THE TOPIC! MAN, I NEED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL! But, I don't want to.

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, July 2, 2004 12:50 PM
On the simpler (but no less arcane) side, I once created a "wide cab" GP-40 using the cab of an F7. Strange looking beast, to be sure. Potentially prototypical, but I've never seen it in the real world....

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 4, 2004 12:00 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

Splicing two F units together and mounting them to an SD frame sounds like it'll look like a mini-Little Joe, or something from Europe.



I have been thinking about a name for the "new" creation. [;)]

Little Joe is already taken. Plus add the fact that the F units were diesel powered and not "juice" powered, Joe = juice. Since he is using " F " units AND since he is calling it the Frankenstein project, I think "Lil Frank" would be a good name for the new baby.

What do you all think? [;)]
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Posted by M636C on Sunday, July 4, 2004 6:50 AM
You can buy ready to run models of the Victorian Railways ML-2 (AA-16C) known as the "B class" by the railway. These were made by Lima in Italy. The wheel spacing will allow the substitution of a preferred SD9 chassis.

Peter
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 4, 2004 7:36 AM
I've made some pretty weird Drawing with the computer. I guess i'll show em to ya
Heres the JCLRY SW1M
Heres MMRR #2
Heres MMRR Meep
Heres My favorite MMRR #1 or as the crews named it "Brutus"
Heres the RS11MAC
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Sunday, July 4, 2004 1:04 PM
Hey CNWfan5525, when can we see production models?

PROJECT FRANKENSTEIN UPDATE!
I have three F7A shells at the moment. I plan to use the one to practice using the Zona saw, and the second ones to build the shell.
I now need a camera, and to determine the length I want it. My goal is to complete the "Lil Frank" shell, and chassis by the end of the summer! Painting will take some time though.

This is my first kitbashing project, so it might take awhile, and be finished later than my goal.

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by DSchmitt on Sunday, July 4, 2004 1:26 PM
I have an N scale electruc loco made from two 1970's era Atlas F7 shells and an Arnold Rapido GG1. It resembles an actual type the Great Northern had[:)]


If you like strange locos, this sight may be of interest.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/locoloco.htm

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Sunday, July 4, 2004 1:31 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt

I have an N scale electruc loco made from two 1970's era Atlas F7 shells and an Arnold Rapido GG1. It resembles an actual type the Great Northern had[:)]


Cool, do you have a picture you could share with us?

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by fec153 on Monday, July 5, 2004 7:30 AM
my bro-in-law has already done that. has 3 different double engined locos made into 1
joined them back to back to make one laaarrrge engine.
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Posted by fec153 on Monday, July 5, 2004 9:13 AM
just remembered. he also took 2 cabooses and made 1 long one to go along with
his a-b-a dually locos.
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 1:50 PM
I am not surprised that others have done it. But that caboose creation sounds pretty cool.

I have cut up a junk engine, and am pretty sure I know what I am going to do. I have also disassembled an Athearn F7A, reassembled it, and IT RAN! PROJECT FRANKENSTEIN is on the right track.

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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