I finished No 1 this week and took it to the Boothbay layout for a photo op. It needs a bit of gear lube and cleaned track to get it runnning in layout condition.
Now on to #2 to complete the project
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
It has been about 13 months since I have posted an update on this project. I got mentally stuck trying to figure out how to mount the Bachmann mechanism in the shell. Some time last summer, it occurred to me that there are a set of bumps on the mechansim frame that Bachmann uses to mount the 44 and 70 ton N scale shells. Why not use these?? (DUH) I was busy on other projects, and just got back to this one recently.
I decided to concentrate on No 1, and get it completed, then complete No 2 once I had a method. I built up a set of mounts on the inside of the shell using strip styrene. I initially made the mounts so the shell would sit a bit low, then shim up to get the proper height on the body mounted couplers. This photo shows the mounts in place; No 1 is the lower shell in the photo
With the height correct, I test fit the mechanism with the couplers in place, and discovered that the back of the coupler pocket interfered with the truck swing. I had to cut the hood again to lengthen it. Once that was done I painted it with engine black mix. I drilled and tapped holes in the shell and installed Micro Trains couplers
Next to add decals, figures and mount LED the lights.
George
Really neat switchers! They will be unique.
Your work is prodding me to build some more critters. A while ago I scored 4 Tenshodo HO spud drives and 2 older NWSL HO Stanton drives for cheap on eBay. I'll have to do some research to see what I can build them into, or maybe I'll just wing it for fun.
Eagerly awaiting your progress reports,
Dave
P.S. With reference to the BullAnt drive that you are using for your other HOn30 project, I am currently working with one to power a Grandt Line 25 tonner. Tonight I test fitted the drive into the shell and it fit but it was quite snug. BIG mistake! I nearly destroyed the BullAnt trying to pull it back out. Turns out they are very delicate, which actually would be no suprise to anybody with half a brain. Anyhow, I managed to repair it but I was feeling pretty stupid there for a while because I had applied too much force. After a little filing on the inside of the shell, which I should have done in the first place, it now slides in and out quite nicely. Just a word of caution.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
· #1 has a longer hood and 2 exhaust stacks, indicating that it has a larger prime mover than #2.
· #2 has a longer cab, and both side windows are full size
· Both have the original Hustler horns. #2 has them located in the original locations on the hood sides; #1 has them on top of the cab facing front and back.
· The headlight on #2 is on the face of the hood; on #1 it is raised up. The rear light is in the same location on both cabs.
· #1 has a visible bell on top of the hood; on #2 it is “hidden” underneath somewhere
· The hood grill on #2 has vertical bars (from scrap box pallet); on #1 it is a screen (cut from a Cannon & Co detail part)
· #2 has an oval fan screen on top of the hood, #1 has none.