Got yet another one for my forum friends: Does anyone have any idea what components to use to put an improved drive under a 70s-era Rivarossi U25 shell? I need two of this type of engine for my layout and my budget cannot justify the new Rivarossi offerings. (It may end up more money, but it can be broken up into segments. I have done this piecemeal idea with my Tythearn GP20 fleet.) As usual, any help my friends can provide would be most welcomed.
I'm not sure if this would work with the Rivarossi shell (or your budget), but it's a possible solution.If you're interested, contact Bowser directly, either via e-mail or a 'phone call. They can tell you if it will fit, or at least give you actual dimensions. I've always found the folks there to be very helpful. There may also be other options - for instance, I used a chassis from a Stewart (Bowser) AS-16 to power an old Rivarossi C-Liner, and it was pretty-well a drop-in fit. The FM sideframes are from Detail Associates:
Wayne
No problemo, as we Americans say:
Get yourself a Hobbytown RSD drive from Ebay. Either modify or home-build the frame. You'll also have to solve the sideframe mounting and the fuel tank. Neither should be a problem, really.
If you're doing DCC, I recommend a keep-alive, as the pickup is old-style (six wheel, as opposed to 12).
My first real diesel model was one of the Hobbytown RSD's. Such a neat thing.
Ed
I was hoping that there was an Athearn frame that would fit with slight modification. (I was also hoping to find an all-wheel pickup drive like an Athearn BB drive.)
I did find mention in an old forum post about one of a U25C Riv shell being powered with what sounded like an SD45 drive, but there was no mention of details.
Edit:
doctorwayne I'm not sure if this would work with the Rivarossi shell (or your budget), but it's a possible solution.
I'm not sure if this would work with the Rivarossi shell (or your budget), but it's a possible solution.
I checked it after I first posted this and yes, that is very much out of my budget.
However, where I am looking to purchase the shells does have listings for the U25Cs with frames. That would at least give me a starting point for dimensions.