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!

HO Scale "Big Bad John" B-D-B+B-D-B Bipolar Diesel Boxcab

22213 views
132 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, December 23, 2017 1:04 AM

Mheetu
Have you thought about using something that not North American to get the look of the NYC locomotive

I've always liked the look of the Swiss Railways Crocodile!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_(locomotive)

The big Pennsy FF1 was pretty neat, too. I liked anything with that big jack-shaft driving the wheels:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Railroad_class_FF1

New Haven had some pretty neat box-cabs, too.

Ed

  • Member since
    April 2015
  • 127 posts
Posted by Mheetu on Saturday, December 23, 2017 12:27 AM

gmpullman

 

oops didn't see that 

 
Mheetu
Found this on E-bay it a use one but if anyone is looking for a Bi-Polar here is the link 

 

Judging by the belly-up photo it looks like this is a three-rail Lionel type?

 

 BayGrab5 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

 

 

However, It seems like $350 is pretty reasonable for a brass one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRASS-C-M-St-P-P-MILWAUKEE-ROAD-BI-POLAR-CLASS-EP-2-GEARLESS-ELECTRIC/253312907794?hash=item3afaa03a12:g:n4gAAOSwm2xZl6BN

 

Regards, Ed

 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Saturday, December 23, 2017 12:21 AM

For the front of the body I might use something like these:

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, December 22, 2017 10:21 PM

Mheetu
Found this on E-bay it a use one but if anyone is looking for a Bi-Polar here is the link 

Judging by the belly-up photo it looks like this is a three-rail Lionel type?

 

 BayGrab5 by Edmund, on Flickr

 

 

 

However, It seems like $350 is pretty reasonable for a brass one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRASS-C-M-St-P-P-MILWAUKEE-ROAD-BI-POLAR-CLASS-EP-2-GEARLESS-ELECTRIC/253312907794?hash=item3afaa03a12:g:n4gAAOSwm2xZl6BN

 

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Friday, December 22, 2017 6:34 PM

In the 1980's I built a N scale model using an Arnold GG1 and a scratch built plastic body.   

I did another loco with full length body made from two 70's Atlas F7 bodied back to back to resemble a GN W1 loco.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Friday, December 22, 2017 6:20 PM

Here's the sideframes I'm looking for:

Here's the locomotive I want the body to look like... 

Here's a few possible body shells I can modify...

I'll post a rudimentary drawing in a bit...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Friday, December 22, 2017 3:58 PM

I like the look of the CUT T3 or MILW Bipolar sideframes so I'll see if I can order a set from MTH and use that for the new ones... For the driveline I'm going to take two motors both with dual flywheels and connect two Athearn B trucks to each motor and the two center trucks will be attached to each other to make a D truck and the appropriate sideframes go on that...

And far as CAD goes 1 my computer is old and in the shop and the guy says that I have to be very careful because I had an all out malware infestation even with one of the prominent anti virus softwares running... 2 I am terrible at using computers for drawing and such so if someone more inclined could you give me some pointers? Thanks...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by SouthPenn on Friday, December 22, 2017 12:27 PM

North West Short Line might have some parts you need.

South Penn
  • Member since
    August 2014
  • 172 posts
Posted by Eric White on Friday, December 22, 2017 8:54 AM

NWP SWP
Or would someone out there with 3d printing and design skills like to take on this project?

Actually, you might find designing such a truck to be an interesting experience.

You can use free software, such as this: https://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-pro/new-in-2018

You don't need the pro version, the free download does all you need.

Once you get the hang of the program, go here: https://www.shapeways.com/

and look at the requirements for the different materials they offer.

You might want to start with a manufactured truck to simplify the engineering problems of creating a drivetrain. That will give you the critical dimensions needed to design your sideframes.

Have fun!

Eric

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • 175 posts
Posted by Bernd on Friday, December 22, 2017 7:39 AM

I started a project like that several years ago. Never finished it. Perhaps one of these days.

I'm using an Alco PA "B" unit and units trucks on a reworked PA frame to bring the trucks closer together.

If you wanted to use the side frames from a GG-1 and make them "D" trucks consider splicing the side frames for the configurstion you want to make a master and then cast them in resin. Could be a whole new learning experince in making your own parts.

Bernd

 

 

New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds

protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, December 22, 2017 1:27 AM

I was trying to find an MTH Bi-polar or Little Joe for a friend a while back. They're pretty scarce, pretty expensive and I certainly wouldn't want to be hacking one up to make a kit-bash fantasy locomotive. But that's me.

I don't know your budget for this project but for economy's sake maybe look for a couple of Bachmann GG1s (2-C+C-2) and you could probably splice those cast truck frames into Ds or Es or even Fs if you desire. The CUT P1a uses a very similar frame and I believe the New Haven had some juice-jacks using them as well.

Conversely, you could start with a Broadway Limited Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2 (Centipede; 2-D+D-2). These were selling pretty reasonably, especially the Seaboard ones. Those may give you a good starting point for a drive-line.

I have a pair and on my 32" curves they look pretty "Bent" trying to negotiate a curve that tight. Something to keep in mind.

Again, I'm suggesting either one of these because of their availability and somewhat reasonable cost. I've seen both in closeout sales at Trainworld, MB Klein and Walthers.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
HO Scale "Big Bad John" B-D-B+B-D-B Bipolar Diesel Boxcab
Posted by NWP SWP on Friday, December 22, 2017 1:04 AM

Howdy I'm in the planning stages of my big boxcab diesel "Big John" and I have figured out the drive gear but I need side frames, I am trying to find some early examples of B and D trucks in HO... I know that the MILW Bipolars have D trucks in the middle and NYC T2s have B trucks both are old fashioned electric trucks... The problem is finding them in HO scale I know MTH has a Bipolar but I know not of any T2s other than brass... I considered using some GP40X Flexicoil B trucks and some DDA40X Flexicoil D trucks and just say that the locomotive received upgraded running gear over the years...

Or would someone out there with 3d printing and design skills like to take on this project? I would need two Bipolar style D truck sideframes and four B truck sideframes that look like the Bipolar Ds without the two center axles... I'd like to stay on a budget but would like detail comparable to a reasonable quality RTR diesel out there...

The locomotive is going to have teo Trainmaster style decks that run half the length of the locomotive each, each "deck" or box will contain two motors each driving two Athearn B trucks the D truck sideframes will be glued to the two B trucks that way gearing is uniform...

I look forward to you replies...

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

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!