Heavy Rail Electric Operations

[Anonymous]

There's some info on interurban freight operations in the July 2004 MR - Tony Koester's article on page 110-111. Freight motors look like they'd be fairly easy to scratchbuild using a SPUD as the power source and a plastic or brass bodyshell. The major problem would be the trolley poles and wiring - it's apparently quite tricky to make it work reliably.

As far as heavy rail electrics are concerned, the only models I can think of (apart from a GG1) are the Bachmann E33 and the Atlas Amtrak AEM7. I know Bachmann offered an older 6-axle Amtrak electric loco in N, not sure of the type or if it was available in HO though. I considered buying one a while ago, but was put off by the bright "chrome" paint finish - I would have had to repaint it and would have no idea where to find decals!

[orsonroy]

Only two heavy electrics have been made in HO plastic, the GG-1 and the E33. There are a few modern electric passenger engines as well, like the HHP-8 and the Acela. Check engine listings for BLI, IHC, Bachmann and Atlas.

If you're looking to freelance, why not take the guts from a GG-1 and freelance your own heavy electric engines? It wouldn't be too hard to splice two F-unit shells together to create a baby Uncle Joe, and scratchbuilding an older engine with a boxy body wouldn't be that hard either.

As for caternary towers, check the Trains.com magazine index. Some time in the 1980s, Craftsman ran an article by someone who was modeling the North Shore, and scratchbuilt towers out of clear lexan rod. He painted the lattice framework onto the clear rod, and the only way you could tell they were solid was when light reflected off the unpainted portions. It was very effective modeling, and worth a look.

If you're looking for a small steeplecab electric, check Cannonball Car Shops. They've got a resin shell that's specifically designed to be added to a Bachmann 44-tonner. AMB makes a laser cut detail set for this shell.

[Anonymous]

whats a radial railway? Is that like an electrified belt railway?

[Anonymous]

Hi Ross,

For all things electric (but with an Interurban/Radial Railway feel) check out the work of Interurban (Chris) at www.the-gauge.com . His latest project was scratch-bashing a boxcab electric out of a powered B-unit to haul freight on his radial line.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

After reading the latest issue of my, i have decided that my second layout will be a heavy rail electirc operation. Want i want to know is, where can i get prototype images of urban Heavy rail electric operations, and prototype information on the same.

Also, what heavy rail electrics have been made as plastic models (NOT the GG1 because that screams PRR too much) as i dont want to spend hundreds per locomotive on brass models.

If only small locomotives would be needed for the operations, what sort of heavy rail electric switchers could i scratchbuild?

How difficult would it be to custom make some overhead towers for this line?

Sorry for the amount of questions, but i am trying to get as much information as possible before i start building the layout.