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Tyco's original Super 630!

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • 1,138 posts
Posted by MidlandPacific on Sunday, March 24, 2024 9:13 AM

Thanks for sharing.  Way back in 1976, one of these in a bicentennial paint scheme powered my first model train set.  Most of it is gone, but I still have the shell with a single truck under it.  Somewhat the worse for wear, but a reminder of how it all began.

http://mprailway.blogspot.com

"The first transition era - wood to steel!"

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Saturday, March 16, 2024 6:39 PM

Gave it an upgrade today!

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 263 posts
Posted by tankertoad70 on Thursday, September 14, 2023 5:06 PM

Very good review.  It gives me some ideas for fixing up a recent acquisition of Rivarossi's U25C. Cowboy

Don in 'Orygun' City
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, September 8, 2023 11:09 PM

I finally made the time to watch this video.

As with all your videos, it was fascinating and enjoyable for me.

I never knew Tyco made a locomotive with Athearn style metal handrails. 

Please keep them coming!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Thursday, August 31, 2023 10:08 PM

BEAUSABRE

Hobbytown of Boston has their RSD4/5 chassis that might be adaptable

 

37612 AlCo RSD-4 Power Conversion Kit 6 Wheel Trucks w/Flywheel Drive $60.00

hobbytown of Boston – Everything is very proudly made, packaged and shipped in the U. S. A.

I actually ordered one of their universal chassis kits special with the ALCO trucks a while back and used that for my Santa Fe 630.Big Smile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMODco0BdY0&t=148s

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  • Member since
    August 2020
  • 581 posts
Posted by Southgate 2 on Thursday, August 31, 2023 12:49 PM

Cool and interesting project, Darth. I never knew Tyco made any diesels with that drive system, and would have never guessed it would be Rivarossi powered.  Dan

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 1,314 posts
Posted by BEAUSABRE on Thursday, August 31, 2023 1:39 AM

AntonioFP45
For today, if I had one of these growlers, my preference would be to adapt the shell to a modern HO Alco 6-axle drive. 

Hobbytown of Boston has their RSD4/5 chassis that might be adaptable

37612 AlCo RSD-4 Power Conversion Kit 6 Wheel Trucks w/Flywheel Drive $60.00

hobbytown of Boston – Everything is very proudly made, packaged and shipped in the U. S. A.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 4:51 PM

AntonioFP45
IIRC, Illinois Central didn't own any of these giants

They went straight to bigger ones: C636s.  Made even more brutish with Hi-Ad trucks.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 8:36 AM

Like the GP20, this was one of the HO units that Tyco actually did a decent job on the shell, considering the tool & die technology utilized by scale modeling manufacturers back then.

For today, if I had one of these growlers, my preferemce would be to adapt the shell to a modern HO Alco 6-axle drive. 

IIRC, Illinois Central didn't own any of these giants but some prototypes are still running around (low nose versions, I think).

 

 

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

 


  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Tyco's original Super 630!
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 7:25 PM

This model really makes me wonder how the hobby would look today if Tyco decided to take the more high-end route!

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