Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

What engine would you like to see

29676 views
193 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 274 posts
Posted by ef3 yellowjacket on Monday, April 4, 2011 10:29 AM

Hobbytown drives pull like there is no tomorrow.  I have one that I want to put into an Alco DL-109 body.  Have you done yours in DCC?  If so, what did you run across?

EF-3 Yellowjacket

Rich
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, April 4, 2011 8:49 AM

As mention in earlier posts, CB&Q E5 passenger locomotives would be nice in HO with today's modeling high quality technnolgy.. I have the Hallmark E5 re-powered with Hobbytown drive and can motor in DC. 

Also, Burlington's 1960's steam excursion trips included 5632 (4-8-4) and 4960 (2-8-2) These would look good in HO. 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 274 posts
Posted by ef3 yellowjacket on Monday, April 4, 2011 7:51 AM

Jeff;

aside from Conning Broadway out of an "SP" tender, ( and good luck with that) I am not sure what to say; other than find the closest thing you can, get out your exacto, and start cutting and re-working, because, unles you are extremely lucky (which I am not) you will have your work cut out for you.

EF-3 Yellowjacket

Rich
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: so Cal
  • 57 posts
Posted by jddav1 on Sunday, April 3, 2011 9:36 PM

What I  want isn't an engine but but medium and long haul oil tenders, non vanderbuilt design.  Jeff

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, April 3, 2011 9:23 PM

Hello Yellowjacket.

1. I checked with Branford a while back.  No EP5s available and they rarely show up on ebay. I guess the owners that purchased past runs are hanging on to them. I'll contact Branford Hobbies again.

2. I remember those attractive brass FL9s. The few that show up on ebay today fetch the price equivalence of a used Motor Scooter in very good shape. Whisper

Just cooks my grits that an Athearn sales rep commented that Athearn's management doesn't believe that an FL-9 would sell enough to recoup their investment (but a DDA40X will?). Surprise

3. The Frateschi company makes the South American version of the EP4. However, the body would need a lot of modifications and the truck side frames would have to be replaced.

ef3 yellowjacket

Antonio;

to the best of my knowledge, a brass FL-9 was made a number of years ago-I want to say "Alco" products (Japanese brass models), but I stand to be corrected.

IN terms of an EP-5, I believe that "Branford Hobbies" of Branford, Ct, is making the bodies.  They are resin, and from a distance, look pretty good.  The chassis they are using, I think, is a cut-down Athearn PA-1, as the trucks would be somewhat correct.  The last time I saw one was a good ten years ago, so I cannot vouch for either the supply or quality of product one was or the other, at this point.

I do know that a reasonable EP-4 can be built by modifying a unit made by a Brasilian company, Fratesha (sp?), but the side frames for th traction motors would have to be re-worked .

EF-3 Yellowjacket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 274 posts
Posted by ef3 yellowjacket on Sunday, April 3, 2011 7:59 PM

Antonio;

to thebest of my knowledge, a brass FL-9 was made a number of years ago-I want to say "Alco" products (Japanese brass models), but I stand to be corrected.

IN terms of an EP-5, I believe that "Branford Hobbies" of Branford, Ct, is making the bodies.  They are resin, and from a distance, look pretty good.  The chassis they are using, I think, is a cut-down Athearn PA-1, as the trucks would be somewhat correct.  The last time I saw one was a good ten years ago, so I cannot vouch for either the supply or quality of product one was or the other, at this point.

I do know that a reasonable EP-4 can be built by modifying a unit made by a Brasilian company, Fratesha (sp?), but the side frames for th traction motors would have to be re-worked .

EF-3 Yellowjacket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/

Rich
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, April 3, 2011 5:50 PM

SCL U36B

Amtrak SDP40F "flat nose"

New Haven FL9

New Haven EP5

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: North East Florida
  • 327 posts
Posted by the North East Rail Modeler on Sunday, April 3, 2011 5:43 PM

For me,  SD 80 MAC in HO scale, in Conrail colors.

 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 3 posts
Posted by mmr197 on Sunday, April 3, 2011 5:32 PM

D&SL 2-6-6-0 with the rear engine solidly mounted to the boiler and not pivoted.  The United brass ones are made this way, and I have no problem with 18" radius curves.  They make for a terrific small but mainline husky articulated engines.

I second the N&W M and M2 class 4-8-0.

Re-issue of the old MDC IR Box cab.

Baldwin catalog 2-10-0 (Strassburg, Great Western, and many other shortlnes).

PRR H8, H9, H10 2-8-0.

PRR B6 0-6-0

 

Fred Carlson

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: Chicago
  • 23 posts
Posted by DragonFyreGT on Sunday, April 3, 2011 3:43 AM

I'd like to see an E-5 since they were CB&Q Exclusives (unless I'm wrong, I've only seen them done in brass). I have a love affair with 9911A out at IRM. Actually, I have a love affair with covered wagons in general.

DragonFyreGT aka Snowball aka Nate.

WolfCreek & Iron Mountain (Keeping The Burlington Northern Alive since 1995)

"We took those Cascade Green engines for granted. Every Age. All of us. And in the blink of an eye, the era ended as quickly as it began."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Huntsville, AR
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by oldline1 on Sunday, April 3, 2011 12:18 AM

Just a few of my "dream engines" would be:

Norfolk Southern (the REAL one!) 2-8-4

N&W M & M-2 4-8-0s

Western Maryland H-8 & H-9 2-8-0s

Western Maryland J-1 4-8-4 POTOMAC

 

Roger Huber

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Thursday, March 24, 2011 11:56 AM

ef3 yellowjacket

A few shprt years ago , I probably not have been writing this; but we grow in our thinking and aspirations within this hobby, at least.

In my opinion, way too much emphasis has been placed on larger steam; in reality, how many railroads did in fact, own articulateds and mallets?  Now, in opposition, how many owned smaller engines like 2-6-0s et al?

I am not advocating everyone shift to small engines, but instead that perhaps a little more attention whold be given them; as I said, Moguls, ten-wheelers, praries (and not just the "one size fits all" concept). Several years ago, I did an "Americanization of an SY miike, and it really looks nicely proportioned for the purpose intended (approx. 16 or so car general freight engine).  It is dwarfed by the heavy-duty mikes on my roster.  OK, just my opinion.

EF-3 Yellowjacket 

Unfortunately it costs almost as much for the manufacturer to make a 2-6-0 as a 2-6-6-2, just one set of running gear.  The modeler sees a 2-6-0 that costs only twenty dollars less than a 2-6-6-2 and the modeler goes ballistic at the price differential.  So the manufacturer only makes big engines that the modeler sees as a prudent investment.

The same thing happened in brass years ago when the work on building a tank car was only a little less than a small steam locomotive but would the modeler pay $40.00 for that tank versus the $50.00 for the engine?

Just my My 2 Cents

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!

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 274 posts
Posted by ef3 yellowjacket on Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:37 AM

Hi Ray;

Am I mistaken or does Proto/Heritage line put out a "Y6-B" mallet?  I am mostly a free-lancer and my road was dreamed up in my not so spare time, so I mostly do not keep track of B&O or N&W engines.  I have looked at the Y6's and they are pretty nice looking rig.  I bought a 2-6-6-6 when they first came out (one of the early numbers) and was extremely happy with its looks as well as its running quality.  Rivarossi, in my opinion, outdid themselves. 

Where did you find your 2-6-0s?  Working over the superstructure into a New Haven-ish/Alco G series presents no particular problem, but  I would rather stay away from monkeying around with the mechanisms.  I figure as long as they have Baker or Southern mechanisms I would be "in keeping" with Northeastern engines.

Earlier this week, I was down at Valley Railroad in Essex, Ct, and there is a 2-8-0 down there that is a really sharp little engine!  Next to it was the Chinese version of a New Haven tender-with spoked wheels!  The tender is waiting for the SY to come out of its cocoon (the shop) and boogie on!  THe engine looks as if she will look asnice as the tender!

While I won't part with my 2-6-6-2s, and 4-8-2s, and 2-8-2s etc any time soon, I would love to find some good smaller engines.

EF-3 Yellowjacket

 

Rich
  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Boonville, In
  • 193 posts
Posted by B&O SteamDemon on Thursday, March 24, 2011 7:54 AM

Rich,

I have a large layout and about 90% of the steam is small engines, mostly 4-6-2's and 2-8-2's with some 2-8-0's and 2-6-0's to round out the fleet plus my mallets.  The problem is finding any quality mallets in the B&O livery.  All of the mallets I have are Rivarossi's and I have repowered and rebuilt these engines to try to keep them running and perform well.  My view is the only quality big steam available currently is a big boy, there are plenty of smaller steam of quality and cost.  I run alot of double headed steam with a pair of 4-6-2's which is fun to watch but I would like to either upgrade or at least enhance my steam fleet with some P-7's and some EM's and EL's from a quality manufacturer such as BLI or Spectrum.

Ray

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 274 posts
Posted by ef3 yellowjacket on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 6:46 PM

Ray;

I realize that the purchase of big steam-like any other large power source-was the result investment made by a railroad, based upon the demands of their customers for adequate service.  The point I was making wasn't to do much with that; but rather that I thought another look by the model manufacturers at producing a really nice model on the scale of a Spectrum, or a Proto2000 standard might be nice.  I have the potential for a rally large layout if I so choose, but my desires for some smaller poweer aren't based upon that at all.  I had mentioned the SY conversion I did; and when I finally put her upon the track to pull a train, I was quite pleased by the over all appearance the apect of a smaller engine on point of-say-a local freight has upon the total ambiance of the layout.

Oh, incidentally; when one thinks of "articulated" power, one usually doesn't think of electrics, but the New Haven did have a mighty array of "motors" in their roster.  The EF-3 was a freight locomotive that was, not quite by strict definition, an articulated, but had the wheel-base of -plus the horsepower of-a challenger.  it is quite sad that none of the New Haven electric roster, nor any of it's steam, to speak of, was spared the torch.

Rich

EF-3 Yellowjacket

 

 

Rich
  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Boonville, In
  • 193 posts
Posted by B&O SteamDemon on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 3:15 PM

ef3 yellowjacket

A few shprt years ago , I probably not have been writing this; but we grow in our thinking and aspirations within this hobby, at least.

In my opinion, way too much emphasis has been placed on larger steam; in reality, how many railroads did in fact, own articulateds and mallets?  Now, in opposition, how many owned smaller engines like 2-6-0s et al?

I am not advocating everyone shift to small engines, but instead that perhaps a little more attention whold be given them; as I said, Moguls, ten-wheelers, praries (and not just the "one size fits all" concept). Several years ago, I did an "Americanization of an SY miike, and it really looks nicely proportioned for the purpose intended (approx. 16 or so car general freight engine).  It is dwarfed by the heavy-duty mikes on my roster.  OK, just my opinion.

EF-3 Yellowjacket 

In regards to how many roads used big steam?  Let's see: B&O, C&O,WM,N&W,PRR,Clinchfield, DRGW,UP,ATSF.  I'm sure I missed a few, but remember these roads had the big steam for a reason and it wasn't the biggest part of their fleet of engines but the most powerful and most remembered, lets face it 4-6-2's are a dime a dozen all over the country when steam was king, just like 2-8-2's and 2-6-0's.  Yeah those engines are workhorse engines that don't get much fame or glamour but what really gets the blood pumping is when you see feel and hear the thundering charge of a EM-1 running wide open with a long string of cars behind it or to see a double headed of EM-1's on the head end of a long coal drag with a pair of EL's on the backend as helpers shoving a 100+ drag of cars up some of sand patches brutal grades especially during winter time.  So yes the little engines are more common but the love of the big grimy warhorses of the big steam units have a magical place in the hearts of alot of us.

 

Ray

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 274 posts
Posted by ef3 yellowjacket on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 8:53 AM

A few shprt years ago , I probably not have been writing this; but we grow in our thinking and aspirations within this hobby, at least.

In my opinion, way too much emphasis has been placed on larger steam; in reality, how many railroads did in fact, own articulateds and mallets?  Now, in opposition, how many owned smaller engines like 2-6-0s et al?

I am not advocating everyone shift to small engines, but instead that perhaps a little more attention whold be given them; as I said, Moguls, ten-wheelers, praries (and not just the "one size fits all" concept). Several years ago, I did an "Americanization of an SY miike, and it really looks nicely proportioned for the purpose intended (approx. 16 or so car general freight engine).  It is dwarfed by the heavy-duty mikes on my roster.  OK, just my opinion.

EF-3 Yellowjacket 

Rich
  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Boonville, In
  • 193 posts
Posted by B&O SteamDemon on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:40 AM

Ok my choice would be:  B&O EM-1 and some P-7's would be nice.  Give the AT&SF love fest a rest and run more of the eastern roads other than PRR there is a over saturation of that road too.  A nice collection of Light Pacific's and MIkes would be nice too.  Maybe some SP&S equipment would be nice too. 

 

Ray

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 146 posts
Posted by Owendubya on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 10:14 PM

As an O&W fan I would love to see camelbacks of all classes and sizes. some more 4-6-0s, heck, any kind of small to medium steamer would be nice.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 5 posts
Posted by boxcab on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 9:49 PM

A PRR S2 6-8-6 steam turbine in HO, affordable.

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 9:08 AM

Here's my list, but the diff. is, these have all actually been produced, but I'm suggesting improvements :)

Athearn's RS3 in Southern green.

BLI to rerun the GG1 but in the stealth-series without a sound unit, well maybe the door-buzzer style horn and bell only. I'd like to see it in the paint schemes for 4935 and 4859 :) with what the older ones go for on eBay stripping and repainting one seems daunting. Alternatively, if Kato were to do an HO GG1 I'd be all in favor of that.

BLI to bring back their J 4-8-4 and aux. tender.

Alvie

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 17 posts
Posted by HO_Modeler on Monday, March 21, 2011 10:21 PM

i would like to see Atlas produce the EMD GP60 in EMD Demo colors,and with a Sountraxx Tsunami sound decoder.Also have the actual rounded nose.

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Northern VA
  • 3,050 posts
Posted by jwhitten on Monday, July 6, 2009 7:37 PM

 I'd like to see these done up nice in Proto2k, Spectrum or something similar. Brass is way too expensive.

 PRR E44 electric

PRR "Centipede" (Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2)

PRR P5A / P5B 

PRR B1 or B3

PRR Ingersol-Rand Boxcab diesels -- not sure which to ask for-- what would be the most representative?

PRR E1 Steam (Camelback)

PRR E-something Steam -- not sure which to ask for -- what do you think?

 

Those would be among my requests

Jwhitten

 

 

 

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Huntsville, AR
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by oldline1 on Sunday, July 5, 2009 8:49 PM

I'd like to see an HO scale USATC S-160  2-8-0. Preferably by Bachmann Spectrum.

Of course, I'm not holding my breath on that one! LOL

Roger Huber 

 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Battle Creek, MI/Friendsville, MD
  • 21 posts
Posted by B & O Bob on Sunday, July 5, 2009 7:50 PM

I would love to see a B & O EM-1, that I could afford, of course. 

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Jenison, MI
  • 133 posts
Posted by analog kid on Sunday, July 5, 2009 3:27 PM

Easy, a BQ23-7

As surely as the day is long, I am the Analog Kid. (Don't believe me? Ask me how many vinyls I listen to in a day...)
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 2,314 posts
Posted by don7 on Sunday, April 19, 2009 8:36 PM

mmartian22

i like to see bli or others  make some good running shays,clinaxes,heislers the ones from the b word just don't cut it  especially the climaxes  they can just barly pull one car

Yes I agree, would buy several for sure.  Rumour has it Bachmann will still be producing a 3 truck Climax some time soon.  That information was posted by someone who apparently got the word direct from the Bachmann rep at a train show recently.  Also, be aware that NWSL has been working on a set of replacement gears for the Bachmann Shay and if successful would next tackle the Climax. Their gear sets are fantastic, would increase pulling ability big time.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Southern Germany
  • 34 posts
Posted by XRAY on Sunday, April 19, 2009 4:44 AM

New Haven Westinghouse EP-2 Boxcab

New Haven GE EP-3 Boxcab 

Milwawkee Road Electric

 

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 166 posts
Posted by mmartian22 on Saturday, April 18, 2009 10:20 PM

i like to see bli or others  make some good running shays,clinaxes,heislers the ones from the b word just don't cut it  especially the climaxes  they can just barly pull one car

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!