EMD Styling model

[trainmaster247]

So I’m just covering all my bases to find any info I can on what is called a styling model that I got from a family member who worked at EMD it is solid wood and made of individual pieces and is in B&O scheme but no letters or numbers images can be found here: https://imgur.com/a/RSnDr1c

 

the only other bit of history I know is that they got it when the EMD library was being torn down and it was going to be thrown away.

[BaltACD]

Looks to be a styling model for the E-6 from the details around the headlight and the horns.

B&O's EA's had the headlight recessed into the slant nose and a aerodynamic 'box' for the horns.

GM always had 'styling models' for the car they built, see no reason why they wouldn't have the same thing for locomotives.

[trainmaster247]

Thanks for that info even if it is just a hunch it’s About what I’ve been thinking even if it’s unlikely I’m just hoping I found someone who knows some real facts about it maybe I’ll send EMD the pictures see if anyone has been there that long 

[M636C]

I don't think anyone at EMD will be that old...

Assuming the model dates from 1938 to 1940, that's 80 years ago...

If the person was 15 years old in 1938, he or she is 95 now...

Peter

[trainmaster247]

Yeah thats true I was hoping maybe they'll have some old photos or something along those lines also emailed B&O historical society to see if they know anything

[Overmod]

If I remember correctly, several years ago this model or one very highly like it was discussed on the B&O Yahoo group and RyPN. 

[trainmaster247]

Overmod

If I remember correctly, several years ago this model or one very highly like it was discussed on the B&O Yahoo group and RyPN. 

 

 

well that’s some good news possibly do you know if these groups Are still active somewhere or do you have the thread saved somewhere I know it’s a stretch but that’s my only lead so far.

[M636C]

trainmaster247

 

Overmod

If I remember correctly, several years ago this model or one very highly like it was discussed on the B&O Yahoo group and RyPN. 

 

 

 

 

 

well that’s some good news possibly do you know if these groups Are still active somewhere or do you have the thread saved somewhere I know it’s a stretch but that’s my only lead so far.

 

When the FP 45 was being introduced, Trains ran a photo of the EMD styling model with a designer checking its dimensions. As far as can be told from the photos it was the same size as the E6 model, and I noted that the trucks appeared to have been made in the same way, with a jigsaw cutting out the truck outline. I guess that would have been in 1967 or so. Someone with the DVD might be able to refer you to the exact issue. The FP 45 model was fully painted and lettered but was otherwise just like the B&O E6.

 

So I think we can say that if EMD were still making styling models to about that scale  (I'd guess 1:24) in the 1960s, they would have done so in the late 1930s.

 

Peter

[trainmaster247]

Cool thats definitely some progress for me my only dillema is whether or not this is something I really should be keeping or if I should loan/give/sell to a museum I guess it really could be considered a cool piece of history though it really tops anything in my collection

[tree68]

Given the apparent B&O heritage, I'd suggest looking for a museum that's somehow associated with the B&O.  While having it on your shelf is a nice bragging piece, your audience will be limited to the folks  you have over to your house.

If you were to loan it to a museum, I"m sure you'd get credit for the loan on the display placard, and many more people would be able to enjoy it.

Even better, providing whatever history of the specific model you can provide, and of models of that type would provide an educational opportunity for those who view it.

Unless you get a offer you can't refuse, loaning it will help ensure it doesn't get stuck in a warehouse/storeroom after a few years.

[trainmaster247]

tree68

Given the apparent B&O heritage, I'd suggest looking for a museum that's somehow associated with the B&O.  While having it on your shelf is a nice bragging piece, your audience will be limited to the folks  you have over to your house.

If you were to loan it to a museum, I"m sure you'd get credit for the loan on the display placard, and many more people would be able to enjoy it.

Even better, providing whatever history of the specific model you can provide, and of models of that type would provide an educational opportunity for those who view it.

Unless you get a offer you can't refuse, loaning it will help ensure it doesn't get stuck in a warehouse/storeroom after a few years.

 

 

If I do do anything I am definitely leaning towards loaning it. I heard back from the B&O historical society and they have never seen anything like it being in highschool I am wary of loaning it out till I have more control over my life also being from the Chicago area the only local museum is the IRM which while doesn't focus on B&O would be more local and allow me to be more involved the idea of shipping it across the country worries me a bit especially since it irreplacable

 

Also if anyone finds the image from the older trains magazine and the editors here are ok with it I would love to see it.

[BaltACD]

IRM does have some B&O CPL's standing sentinal on the trackage they operate over.

[trainmaster247]

tree68

Given the apparent B&O heritage, I'd suggest looking for a museum that's somehow associated with the B&O.  While having it on your shelf is a nice bragging piece, your audience will be limited to the folks  you have over to your house.

If you were to loan it to a museum, I"m sure you'd get credit for the loan on the display placard, and many more people would be able to enjoy it.

Even better, providing whatever history of the specific model you can provide, and of models of that type would provide an educational opportunity for those who view it.

Unless you get a offer you can't refuse, loaning it will help ensure it doesn't get stuck in a warehouse/storeroom after a few years.

 

 

Well I did some more digging and found this link 10k is something that might peak my interest: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36440

[Leo_Ames]

Is this a former styling model?

https://youtu.be/egm3oAMlYZM?t=1m29s

[trainmaster247]

Leo_Ames

Is this a former styling model?

https://youtu.be/egm3oAMlYZM?t=1m29s

 

looks quite simillar if not one definitely inspired by one

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Leo_Ames

Is this a former styling model?

https://youtu.be/egm3oAMlYZM?t=1m29s 

Look closely as the camera pulls back a few seconds later and it sure looks like the Santa Fe's Super Chief paint scheme, with the name replaced by "C. & F. W. Railroad". 

That entire scene looks like an early version of "Precision Scheduled Railroading" . . . 

- PDN. 

[BaltACD]

Paul_D_North_Jr

 

Leo_Ames

Is this a former styling model?

https://youtu.be/egm3oAMlYZM?t=1m29s  

Look closely as the camera pulls back a few seconds later and it sure looks like the Santa Fe's Super Chief paint scheme, with the name replaced by "C. & F. W. Railroad".  

That entire scene looks like an early version of "Precision Scheduled Railroading" . . . 

- PDN. 

With the railroad 'boss' once he is on 'the property' breaking every possible safety rule as well as demonstrating his incompetence in performing the actions of his employees.  PSR at its finest!

[seppburgh2]

Back in the 70's I was a member of the Morris County Central museum in Whippany NJ. Remember there was fall to ceiling "stuff" in the store room. One of the items, or could be two of them, were styling models of E units. Didn't know the difference between E8 or an E6 back then. So don't recall what model these were. They were made of plaster. One had been cranked in the center so were kept wrapped up to prevent future damage. Remember they were used back in the 40/50s in developing the final paint scheme. Here is a cheap medium (plaster) that takes paint and visually show how the paint would pop to the prospective buyer. Easy to change the paint on a model than on the 1:1 scale version.

[tree68]

seppburgh2

Here is a cheap medium (plaster) that takes paint and visually show how the paint would pop to the prospective buyer. Easy to change the paint on a model than on the 1:1 scale version.

It would also be easy to make a mold to cast the plaster, allowing customer's to "take home" their sample...

It would seem, though, that if that was the case that there would be dozens of such samples around.  Maybe there are, or were.

[trainmaster247]

tree68

 

 

 

seppburgh2

Here is a cheap medium (plaster) that takes paint and visually show how the paint would pop to the prospective buyer. Easy to change the paint on a model than on the 1:1 scale version.

 

 

It would also be easy to make a mold to cast the plaster, allowing customer's to "take home" their sample...

It would seem, though, that if that was the case that there would be dozens of such samples around.  Maybe there are, or were.

 

 

Yeah I wonder how many others are around mine seems to be made of wood though or maybe solid plaster since it seems very solid wonder if it may have been a master at one point?

[Overmod]

trainmaster247

Yeah I wonder how many others are around mine seems to be made of wood though or maybe solid plaster since it seems very solid wonder if it may have been a master at one point?

Master would likely be made of wood, probably glue-laminated solid wood, perhaps with clay details.  This would be used as a pattern to make molds from which the basic plaster castings would be made, with the simplified details like the coped-out "trucks" glued on.

What I would encourage is that you use one of the good RTV mold systems to make a mold of this styling model (taking account of the shrinkage, etc., and being very careful to provide full degassing which will be surprisingly substantial with the expected mold size and volume).  You could then make castings in materials different from plaster, perhaps 'thin-wall' (after the manner of those chocolate Easter bunnies, this being the season and all) and arrange to paint them in various interesting schemes, superdetail levels, etc.

[RDG467]

Trainmaster247, I forwarded the image link to Preston Cook.  He was a sales engineer for EMD and a de-facto historian of the 1st gen Diesel age.  He has an amazing collection of EMD Technical Instructions and other documents, which he freely shares upoin request with non-profit orgs who own and maintain 1st & early 2nd Gen Diesels.  IDT he hangs around this group, but I know he posts to RYPN.org.  

[trainmaster247]

RDG467

Trainmaster247, I forwarded the image link to Preston Cook.  He was a sales engineer for EMD and a de-facto historian of the 1st gen Diesel age.  He has an amazing collection of EMD Technical Instructions and other documents, which he freely shares upoin request with non-profit orgs who own and maintain 1st & early 2nd Gen Diesels.  IDT he hangs around this group, but I know he posts to RYPN.org.  

 

 

Thank you very much I appreciate that, so far all the info I have is fairly theoretical so maybe he can give us something more sound I'll take a look at the other site you mentioned too.

[garr]

Is there any chance this was an EMD styling model? It is a one piece cast ceramic E8, roughly O Scale, that I picked up at an antique store a year or so ago. 

[Overmod]

garr

Is there any chance this was an EMD styling model? It is a one piece cast ceramic E8, roughly O Scale, that I picked up at an antique store a year or so ago.

I don't think any of the EMD models were fired ceramic; there were a number of reasons that I think would make even a 'one-off' (e.g., for presentation) unlikely. 

I need to see the item in question, including any marks on the bottom of the casting, to make any further speculation.  (There are threads on how to do that; basically, you have to save each picture so it has a Web URL, for example by putting it on a photo site like photobucket or Flickr, and then pasting that URL into a post here using the little 'chain' tool in the bar above the text entry window).  I suspect what you have is a 'collectible' made for the railfan market, but I try to be 'always ready' to be surprised.