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What will be your next locomotive project?????

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What will be your next locomotive project?????
Posted by West Coast S on Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:26 PM

I've just completed my Southern Pacific M8-2-6-0 project to Proto 64 standards , all told it's construction entailed several years of labor (99% scratchbuilt you know). Not resting on my lurals, i've got a urge to scratchbuild a early SP MC Cab Forward. i'm curious as to what others have in planning or on the workbench concerning their motive power .

Thanks

Dave

SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by tstage on Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:30 PM

Dave, 

I'm having BLI build me a NYC 4-8-2 Mohawk.  Maybe one of these days I'll know enough to be able to do something like what you just accomplished.  Congratulations!  Make sure you post some pics sometime.

Tom


Actually, I want to finish detailing some Norfolk Southern GP38-2s.

 

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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:44 PM

I'm planning on building another one of these:

I kitbashed this from a Bachmann Spectrum N scale 2-8-0, and parts from a Trix 4-6-2 and 0-6-0.  The result is an almost-PRR class H10sb.

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:53 PM

It will probably be adding sound to something, but I'm not sure what yet.  I've got a pair of P2K GP-9's, and an ancient Athearn BB F-7.  The F-7 shell is spacious, while the Geeps would likely require a bit of metalwork to remove enough weight to add a speaker box.

And then there's that old Dockside 0-4-0.  I had it working, headlight, decoder and all, but after only one or two passes around the layout, the decoder fried.  I think the valve gear might have come loose and locked up, causing the old motor to stall and draw more than the decoder could handle.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by alfadawg01 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:57 PM

I'm about half-way through applying the details to a Kato BNSF SD70MAC.  I wouldn't mind finding another one or an AC4400CW to go with it and the hoppers I'm accumulating.

David B:  since you're modelling CP Rail, are you gonna do any SD40-2's?Big Smile [:D]

Bill

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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:41 PM

Cheers to West Coast S for keeping the scratch building aspect of model railroading alive. That's fantastic. If you have a way to post a photo, I'd like to see it.

Other posts on this thread are impressive. Congrats, Dave V on the N scale kitbash Pennsy 2-8-0. Cheers to all others.

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

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Posted by loathar on Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:43 PM
Real motor, sound decoder and Bowser super detail kit added to my Mantua Mikado.(when funds allow)
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Posted by dinwitty on Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:00 PM

I have waaaay too many projects lined up to do. I have a Bowser Big Boy to finish plus a Challenger and tweak my other challenger that runs and paint them.

Another project I have been ebaying parts for is a never built 3 foot gauge D&RGW 2-8-8-2, it will be rather freelanced since no real prototype existed, going to use a bachmann 2-6-6-2 and MDC outside frame drivers. Could get interesting.

 Right now I have this HOn3 Ken Kidder 0-4-2 needing work, and I found another on ebay needing work, between the 2 I am parting each other to make one working version. I think my original one is the major parts winner, the second one if I want to make run would need new drivers and motor, maybe PSC can do something with their parts. or make it an entirely different wheel arrangement. 

I paid just over 100 bucks for the second engine, pretty much just to get some good parts, but the opportunity to make one work and maybe the other has a chance of a double win. The money wasnt the issue, restoring the kidders is.

I could go on and on with lined up projects but got the harder itch to make my layout and get something running.

 

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Posted by WCfan on Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:03 PM
After I get my WC SW1500 done, then I will probably work on Super Detailing some WC SD45s, if I can get any. Other wise I'll be working on a ACR SD40-2.
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Posted by ericmanke on Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:52 PM

Finally painting up some of the undecorated  N scale Atlas GP7s and 9s that I have aquired over the past 3 years.  I'm also thinking about chopping down the noses on 2 of them.

 

Eric M 

 

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Posted by nbrodar on Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:56 PM

After the bank recovers, I have plans to kitbash some Reading GP39-2s.

Nick

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Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:15 PM

My newest engine project is kind of a whimsy. I have a HO Mantua 0-6-0T which is being turned into a oil fired 2-6-0 Cab forward. It is a fun project.

http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=3934.html

Rich 

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Posted by lvanhen on Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:19 PM
Adding DCC and sound to a couple of dozen Athern BB's only been collecting them since the '60's and DCC since '05!  Maybe next year!Tongue [:P]
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Posted by fiatfan on Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:33 PM

I just started a project to wire two MDC "Critters" to run as a single unit.  I want to wire the two engines together to avoid the ocassional stall on switch points.  Thanks to some advice in another thread, I will eliminate one headlight from each engine.  Once I have that all running the way I want, it will be time to add some details.

Tom 

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Go Big Red!

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Posted by Boomer Red on Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:08 PM
      Well if the decals and detail parts I have on backorder ever arrive in the mail I hope to finish my 2 CN GP38-2s and my CN SW1200RM " SWEEP". Right now the GP38-2s only need stripes on the fireman side before clear coat and weathering. The "SWEEP" is so far only a Athearn SW7 that has a GP9 hood. Hopefully the stuff I ordered 2 months ago will show up soon so I can put these projects to rest. Then I can move on to a SD50F and a C44-9WL. The SD50F will be a Kaslo shell on a Athearn RTR SD50 chassis. The C44-9WL will be an Athearn model with a Kaslo 4 window cab. All this should keep me and my credit card busy till well past ChristmasBig Smile [:D]!
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Posted by Ulrich on Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:15 PM
Super detailing a Canadian Pacific AC4400CW
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Posted by steemtrayn on Sunday, September 30, 2007 10:38 PM

A CNJ Camelback from a Tyco 0-6-0

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Posted by UP2CSX on Sunday, September 30, 2007 11:50 PM
Wow, some of you guys are really ambitious. My plans are to rearrange the noses of four NKP engines with the Mars light and headlight in the right place. I'd also like to add those big screen affairs that were mounted to the rear of NKP switchers. Does anyone know of a good source of pictures of these things? 
Regards, Jim
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Posted by CMLewis on Monday, October 1, 2007 8:20 AM

Converting an Atlas ex-WC GP40 to a CN GP40-2lw.  Started in the spring, but it's been a busy summer.  Ah well, no rush.

 

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Posted by marknewton on Monday, October 1, 2007 8:31 AM
 UP2CSX wrote:
I'd also like to add those big screen affairs that were mounted to the rear of NKP switchers. Does anyone know of a good source of pictures of these things? 

NKP Diesel Locomotives by Kevin J. Holland, TLC Publishing 1998 has good photos of these screens.

Since my railway is mainly operated by multiple units, my next project will be a 2-car ex-Fukui Railway interurban.

Cheers,

Mark.
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Posted by dti406 on Monday, October 1, 2007 8:40 AM

 UP2CSX wrote:
Wow, some of you guys are really ambitious. My plans are to rearrange the noses of four NKP engines with the Mars light and headlight in the right place. I'd also like to add those big screen affairs that were mounted to the rear of NKP switchers. Does anyone know of a good source of pictures of these things? 

I am at work and don't have a my collection of Mainline Modelers, but Mont Switzer did a paint job on an NKP Switcher with those screens.  When I get home I will find out the date of the article.

Rick 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, October 1, 2007 8:44 AM
After finishing a kitbash station, I'm going to build 11 Fastracks turnouts.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by dti406 on Monday, October 1, 2007 9:51 AM

 UP2CSX wrote:
Wow, some of you guys are really ambitious. My plans are to rearrange the noses of four NKP engines with the Mars light and headlight in the right place. I'd also like to add those big screen affairs that were mounted to the rear of NKP switchers. Does anyone know of a good source of pictures of these things? 

 Mont Switzer painted and detailed an NKP NW-2 Switcher with the Safety Screen in the May 1994 Issue of Mainline Modeler.

 

I plan on finishing my What If DT&I GP-60's. D&TS GP-7's equiped with the proper details.  I also just got an undecorated Atlas C420 that I will put all the proper details on such as headlights, horns, fuel tanks, bell placement.  

 

Rick 

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

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Posted by BRAKIE on Monday, October 1, 2007 10:06 AM
Finding a Atlas GP38 and the DB blister from a Atlas GP40 and making a stand in C&O GP39.

Larry

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Posted by stokesda on Monday, October 1, 2007 10:55 AM
My next (and first) really "big" project will be painting/decaling/detailing a Spectrum GP-30 to match a D&RGW prototype. I picked up the partially disassembled model at a train show for $5, and have only stripped the original paint off of it so far.

Dan Stokes

My other car is a tunnel motor

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Posted by GN-Rick on Monday, October 1, 2007 11:25 AM
My current loco project is modifying a PCM F3A/B set to represent a Great Northern Railway 350-series pair of passenger units. Changing A-unit side panels to correct the phase, exchanging the freight pilot for a snowplow-altering the radiator fans and other GN specific details. (Yes I know about the P2K GN-specific models-I like to do these things myself to create unique built-to-picture models.) After that, I have a GN 900 series GP5 to build, 2 GP9s to do, an ABBA set of Highliner Fs to build and put on Stewart/Kato drives, a friend's brass GN class M-2 2-6-8-0 steam loco to repair and paint, a Westside S-2 to repair and paint, and finally, a few color correction repaints of  older work. Hmmm, ought to be done around this time next century at this rate. . . .Whistling [:-^]Big Smile [:D]
Rick Bolger Great Northern Railway Cascade Division-Lines West
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Posted by wmshay06 on Monday, October 1, 2007 11:58 AM
Converting a BLI Light 2-8-2 into a visually acceptable C&O K-8 (ex PM MK-1).
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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Monday, October 1, 2007 12:06 PM
Because I kind of over-spent on train stuff this year, it will probably be around or after Christmas before my next project. The top item on my list this year (yes, I've already made my Christmas list) is a Tiger Valley Models ALCO RSD-12 kit, which will hopefully be my next project.Big Smile [:D] If it is, I'll do like I did with my Hobbytown RSD-5 last year and post a topic with continual updates.Big Smile [:D] I'll also paint it in Penn Central, since it's easy to do and I've got the decals for it.Big Smile [:D]

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Posted by UP2CSX on Monday, October 1, 2007 12:27 PM
Thanks. Mark and Rick. I'll see if I can hunt down a back issue of MM or that book. I'm assuming that no one has ever produced the safety screen as a detail part and it'll have to be scratchbuilt, correct? I've got "The Nickel Plate Road" by Rehor and it neither has a good picture of the sceens or ever explains why the NKP was the only railroad to use the. Do either of you know why NKP management decide they were important?
Regards, Jim
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Posted by fwright on Monday, October 1, 2007 1:43 PM

My next locomotive project is to build my HOn3 Keystone Shay kit.  If it comes out well, I need to build a second.  There are (too!) many projects after that.

- build/convert/backdate a Roundhouse 3 truck Shay (HO) to a very early Class C 2 truck.

- find a suitable mechanism/frame/drive for my Model Power CM 2-8-0 (made in Brazil).  My unbuilt Tyco 4-8-0 kit may be just the ticket due to its oversize cab and other parts.

- build/bash my Tyco General kit into a suitable older 4-4-0 for passenger service in 1900.

- remotor/detail/bash my HOn3 Porter 0-4-0T into a useful small logging locomotive

- remotor/regear/bash my MDC Climax into a more plausible Class A Climax

- build my MDC HOn3 2-8-0 into something resembling a C-20?

- and if I get really ambitious, put together a Baldwin HOn3 4-4-0 (maybe PSC or Blackstone or somebody else will bail me out first).

The above should keep me busy for the next few decades between building a layout and rolling stock kits, too!

....modeling foggy coastal Oregon, where it's always 1900....

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