So, this one is coming out of left field, completely, and forgive me for that. I've been trying to track (no pun intended) information on a rather strange rebuild or conversion of an F unit that I remember reading about in a Model Railroader sometime in the past. Sadly, in all my searches, I just turn up CF7's... so that isn't helping.
So, the locomotive in question, it started life as an F unit, possibly an F3, or F7. It operated in South America, or possibly Mexico. It was also a one off due to its circumstances.
What made the locomotive unique, was how it looked, and reportedly how it came to be.
So, looking at it, at a glance, it looked like someone had taken the standard F unit cab, and placed it on a GP unit's body, complete with dynamic braking (if my memory serves.)
MR featured maybe one photo of a model of this strange locomotive, possibly under the "prototype for everything" article header.
If memory serves, the story was that the railroad which owned this particular locomotive, had it, and a number of older GP units. There may have been a pair of F units, but I only remember the one. Whatever the case, this locomotive was involved in an accident which did catastrophic damage to the rear of the locomotive. The GP may have also been involved in the accident, suffering similar damage to its cab end. Rather than scrapping the locomotives, the railroad (which the article seemed to suggest was cash strapped) chose to rebuild the F unit. They underwent their own version of a CF7 conversion of sorts, removing the GP long hood, and possibly its prime mover, and placing that on the back of the F unit.
I model mainly in VR, which is to say my models are used in games like Rolling Line, or similar. (I also happen to work as a 3d modeler for a living, and am currently working with the developer of a railway sim set in 1880, but that's beside the point.) I can't help but think that this engine, though apparently a one off, would be worth modeling, and releasing for anyone to use as they see fit. Let's face it, as CF7's go, it does make for a unique shape and design.
Does anyone know the locomotive I'm talking of, and if so, could you point me to information, or general dimensions of it so I could start work in replicating it?
I found that of which you speak. i Have to look more in a while but it looks like there has been a write up about its build. It has definitely a kitbasher special that for sure.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Actually built from an Alco RS11 some scratchbuilding metal, and f unit parts. Use "locomotive rebuild in mexico" to find the links and such
Shane
Other side
The prototype for all of today's modern locomotives.
mvlandswThe prototype for all of today's modern locomotives.
I was thinking the same thing. It looks like an anime version of a Dash 8-40 BW.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Mine from a while back
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OH GAWD, MY EYES !
Quite a few locomotives were built that way....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Railways_1250_class
EE RFN – Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre (wikipedia.org)
Peter
SeeYou190It looks like an anime version of a Dash 8-40 BW.
To me, the thing looks like it's channeling Ingalls:
https://i.redd.it/aybrt7sykxl01.jpg
Here is a side view of the cab of SLP-3 521 ready for the paint shop:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/1701/slp02-2.jpg
View from behind:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/1701/slp3f.jpg
Many undistorted pictures at railpictures.net once you know what to be looking for...
But I'm not sure this is actually the locomotive the OP was talking about. This is not an F cab and a GP hood kludged on a common frame. Descriptions of this SLP-3 indicate that it "represented some very sophisticated engineering and improvements" and that the cab was especially designed to be "ideal for use in Mexico". We can easily find other products of the NdeM shops in San Luis Potosí such as SLP-4 6820 and 7294/7473.
Overmod SeeYou190 It looks like an anime version of a Dash 8-40 BW. Keep in mind that FdelP had some M424W engines with angular cabs and ZWT trucks that are MUCH closer to that... To me, the thing looks like it's channeling Ingalls: https://i.redd.it/aybrt7sykxl01.jpg Here is a side view of the cab of SLP-3 521 ready for the paint shop: http://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/1701/slp02-2.jpg View from behind: http://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/1701/slp3f.jpg Many undistorted pictures at railpictures.net once you know what to be looking for... But I'm not sure this is actually the locomotive the OP was talking about. This is not an F cab and a GP hood kludged on a common frame. Descriptions of this SLP-3 indicate that it "represented some very sophisticated engineering and improvements" and that the cab was especially designed to be "ideal for use in Mexico". We can easily find other products of the NdeM shops in San Luis Potosí such as SLP-4 6820 and 7294/7473.
SeeYou190 It looks like an anime version of a Dash 8-40 BW.
Keep in mind that FdelP had some M424W engines with angular cabs and ZWT trucks that are MUCH closer to that...
Just some extra info. SLP-4 6820 is built on a late production AS-616 frame, while the similar-looking SLP-5 7473 was built on an RSD-12. 7294 is pretty much identical to FCP 521(they are the same type, SLP-3). 7294 apparently got in another wreck or was heavily overhauled and got a GE-style front afterwards. And much less well known is SLP-1 6821, which is basically another late-production AS616 except this time they chopped the hood to a hilariously low level, and converted it IIRC to A1A-A1A.
Steven2007Just some extra info.
Overmod Steven2007 Just some extra info. Tell more about these, and give us English-language sources if you can. This is a fascinating program that I suspect most American railfans know nothing about.
Steven2007 Just some extra info.
Tell more about these, and give us English-language sources if you can. This is a fascinating program that I suspect most American railfans know nothing about.
Alright. I'm going to dump my sources below. I know it's all forums and Facebook, but a few provide sources. It's what I have to work with when my Spanish skills are Level -10 and I don't have books.
https://groups.io/g/MEXLIST/message/5590?p=,,,20,0,0,0::Created,,slp-1,20,2,0,13230276
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=482816961911272&id=298957586963878&substory_index=0
https://m.facebook.com/298957586963878/photos/pb.298957586963878.-2207520000.1460905581./459750777551224/?type=3&source=43
That's all that I could find. If anyone has NDEM books or E2200S #45, please share
One potential F unit rebuild that never occured was the Espee's initial review of converting many of its vast fleet of F7s to F20s. I found it in an annual Espee motive power review I used to recieve. The advent of the GP20 put the kibosh on that potential conversion. Tis an interesting conversion kitbash to contemplate however.
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
But exactly what was involved in converting to an F20? Would this be like a CF7 conversion with a new supporting frame and long hood, but retaining the structure of the bulldog nose?
OvermodWould this be like a CF7 conversion with a new supporting frame and long hood, but retaining the structure of the bulldog nose?
Don't know about the cab or hood but it would have required a beefed up frame since the F7 carbody has a truss built into it and removing the car body would weaken the engine, so a new side frames would have had to have been added to replace the side trusses.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com