Like this.
Also this is a prime example of a damaged unit that could be converted into a booster unit.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Could the units have the angled end like a typical unit?
I think the best way to tackle this would be to use just styrene to make the hood sides, end, and roof. Since it is a rebuild, I think the railroad would use sheet metal and a flat hood end. Once the basic shape is built, you can add whatever details you want. The handrails would need to be modified, and you can use some Athearn BB metal stations and some brass wire to fit the way you want. I can't imagine this conversion would be real difficult, and you will learn as you go.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Here is a paper I just typed up to explain the reasons for the conversions of the units.
Well I do NOT believe I would EVER try to sell them! (or "unload" them as it were) Anyway, does anyone have some tips on doing the conversion?
richhotrainAt some point, you decide to unload this kitbashed fantasy consist. Who would want it? Something to think about.
Remember this "kitbash" from a few years ago?
I seem to recall it sold on Ebay for a pretty good chunk of change back then!
Hello P.T. Barnum... (or W.C. Fields, your choice)
Regards, Ed
I agree Mike. I was trying to be the master of understatement.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrainLet's say that, generously, you can find some used Athearn SD70ACe locomotives for $50 each. To build your 8-loco consist, it will set you back $400. Now, you pay a professional locomotive kitbashing service say, generously, $50 per locomotive to kitbash.
Rich,
A custom builder would be VERY generous if they charged a mere $50 to do this work IMO. I would say the starting cost would likely be double that -- and up. But I don't think we need beat that to death. Whatever it might be, it's gonna add up to a chunk of change. Nothing wrong with that if you can afford it, just the hard facts if you're not willing to go DIY for something like this.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
zstripe cascadenorthernrr Yes the point would be the locomotive was in a accident and was damaged beyond repair to original status therefore they converted it to a slug or b-unit. So yes it would be a "fantasy" idea. And serve no logical reasoning......can only be used in one way operation....a nightmare...for any road. Take Care! Frank
cascadenorthernrr Yes the point would be the locomotive was in a accident and was damaged beyond repair to original status therefore they converted it to a slug or b-unit. So yes it would be a "fantasy" idea.
Yes the point would be the locomotive was in a accident and was damaged beyond repair to original status therefore they converted it to a slug or b-unit. So yes it would be a "fantasy" idea.
And serve no logical reasoning......can only be used in one way operation....a nightmare...for any road.
Take Care!
Frank
cascadenorthernrr This is the "GENERAL DISSCUSSION" forum therefore please just give me tips on kitbashing not prototype operations thank you.
This is the "GENERAL DISSCUSSION" forum therefore please just give me tips on kitbashing not prototype operations thank you.
Fantasy is one thing, cost is quite another. Let's say that, generously, you can find some used Athearn SD70ACe locomotives for $50 each. To build your 8-loco consist, it will set you back $400. Now, you pay a professional locomotive kitbashing service say, generously, $50 per locomotive to kitbash. At that point, you are out of pocket another $400, or $800 total.
At some point, you decide to unload this kitbashed fantasy consist. Who would want it? Something to think about.
I think that Frank makes a very valid point.
As one who enjoys dabbling in realistic fantasy builds from time to time, let me inject a heaping helping of reality here. Your intentions are bounded by desire, budget and resources. You're at Step One here, figuring out what you want.
I don't want to presume what your resources might be, but unless your allowance or job is considerably more healthy than most at age 16, being able to afford the services of a custombuilder is something even many adults find difficult to afford.
Fortunately, budget is only one part of resources. You also have many other things you can rely on. Being young with time to learn, steady hands and eyes, and able to reach out to help from others are all advantages you've just started to flex.
Have you tried to build anything yet? If not, that's the first thing I'd do. Doesn't need to be hacking up some $200+ loco, in fact, better to start with modding an old blue box Athearn or something you don't have a lot of emotional investment in to start with. Things might be ugly at first, but you'll learn quickly, just keep at it. Pretty soon you'll wonder why you expected someone else to do the job, when it's actually a lot of fun.
Realistically, that's the most likely way you'll achieve your goals, too. Here's a few examples of somewhat fantastical projects that I enjoyed building.
A DL-531 that started as a Powerline shell on a K&M Engineering HOn3 drive, with added details including a steam generator
A modern diesel built on a Liliput shell and chassis, converted to HOn3 from HOn30, then painted and detailed to suit
This is what I call a NW2M. It's a Kato NW2 with the drive narrowgauged, then the shell was hacked with pieces from a second donor shell to provide a little more room for a decoder and add dynamic brakes and a steam generator.
Nothing really hard here, but the practice I get with any project helps advance my skills to tackle more complicated ones. Even if I had a budget so I could afford the services of a custom builder, I would still prefer the enjoyment of making it myself. If your budget is limited like mine, it's also the only choice unless you intend to let your wallet limit your enjoyment of the hobby.
I see, very interesting.
On my railroad, if any unit is involved in a wreck and the damage is not too serious, it will be repaired and return to service. If the damage is extensive however, ie (crushed cab, busted motor, loose parts), the unit will be sidelined until I figure out what to do with it.
I usually don't bother with converting or kitbashing.
Here is a website that has a list of EMD locomotives, each link contains a data page on each locomotive. (In response to your question about hood height).
Edit:
It would be useful if I put the link in....
https://www.thedieselshop.us/DataEMDIndexRS.HTML
Ohh I'm so sorry TANE is short for Trainz: A New Era.
Thanks!
cascadenorthernrrAnd here is a screenshot from TANE of a lashup of two BNSF SD70ACe A and B units and two road slugs.
What is TANE? Im assuming its a rail simulator of some sort.
Also conceptually, the slug units would likely need a mother unit on each side to split the traction motor load between two units.
I remember you recently discussing DDA40X locomotive and thought you might find this interesting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_DD35
Here's the CN #8100.
Here is a SD70ACe B-unit from Jointed Rail for TANE.
And here is a screenshot from TANE of a lashup of two BNSF SD70ACe A and B units and two road slugs.
Well the JR ACB image isn't working so here is a model version.
Wikipedia has a list of locomotives that were produced as B units.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_with_cabless_variants
I have in person seen and photographed the GE B30-7s that were on Providence and Worcester until 2015 or so.
Here's a tip highlight the link using left click drag like you are going to copy/paste then click the link button. Hope it helps!
I should probably clarify the fact that I prefer to model the transition era but I'm not from it! (I'm 16)
mbinsewi Here's the BNSF unit in Dave's link. If you follow Dav's link, there is also a picture of cabless BN 7199. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=769291 Mike. EDIT: The link button for typing a reply is not working. I guess you'll have to copy/paste.
Here's the BNSF unit in Dave's link. If you follow Dav's link, there is also a picture of cabless BN 7199.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=769291
Mike.
EDIT: The link button for typing a reply is not working. I guess you'll have to copy/paste.
It is something to do with IE and the .aspx in the link. Interestingly you also cannot easily link threads within this forum due to this bug.
cascadenorthernrra transition era man myself
There is a whole thread on this forum that laments that young people dont model the transition/steam era.
I also model the transition era, my favorite is the NYC heritage unit. The lightning stripes look awesome.
Slugs are typically cut down because there is no prime mover (diesel engine) installed inside (it would be a waste of good scrap metal to leave a full height hood, and it makes line of sight slightly better).
My You Tube
Well that brings us to this. My favorite modern diesel (a transition era man myself) is the EMD SD70ACe and my favorite version is the CN Ex-EMD Demo/Lease units in the blue demonstrator livery and this is because my railroad is the Cascade Northern R.R.
You may or may not realize this, but nothing requires you to use the exact same locomotive for each of the conversions. The cabless boosters could be any model of locomotive.
CSX has a couple of slugs built from old Alco RSD-15s (I think) that were inherited from Conrail. They can be found at Selkirk yard attached to remote controlled SD40-2s.
Here are some photos of the slugs.
http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/misc/miscindex.html
Well what units have the same width/height as a sd70ace? That's for the hood I mean.
Well I do not think that I would be selling it ever so I believe that would not be a problem.
The SD40 thing got me thinking. Would converting a High hood SD40 to a B unit be an acceptable alternative? Those you can get relatively inexpensively, decorated for NS, N&W, or Southern Rwy. You would then just replace the cab section with styrene and build a short walkway past it.