Dear All,
I am looking into using the HO Bowser RS-12 Chassis as the basis of a model of the Lima-Hamilton 1200HP commuter roadswitcher as sold to the New York Central.
I have a copy of the May 1964 Railroad Model Craftsman and the hoods scale 7'2" high and six foot wide.
Steven Otte has suggested that I raise this prospect here in case anybody else has tried it.
Is this a feasible prospect without major surgery on the Bowser mechanism or an inaccurate body?
In expectation,
Andy Hobbs
The New Haven also had LS1200's, and there's an engine diagram on The Alphabet Route website:http://www.alphabetroute.com/nynhh/dieseldgms/0630-0639.pdf
Most models of LS1200's I've seen have been either the old Alco Models brass, or the JJL Models cast resin shell that fit the Bowser chassis...which I think was the VO1000, IIRC. I don't think I know of anyone who's scratchbuilt one.
Someone is selling an N-scale Lima hood on Shapeways. Maybe they can bump it up to HO scale?
I know nothing about LH 1200's, but I love to search things out.
It looks like the Bowser RS12 has a short hood behind the cab, and the LH you want to build has an end cab. Just thinking out loud, but won't that frame be a little long?
What I did do is Google Lima-Hamilton 1200 switcher, and images shows the prototype and some builds, on other forums, older post, but still, you might be able to gleem some info from it all.
One builder used a model from JJL Models, which seems to be coming back from the dead, they use Facebook as a home page, and the last post was from Oct., 2018, and the other builder scratch built the shell, and used an Athearn frame.
Check it out, and see if this helps you.
Also one of the links I followed, talked about a book from Kalmbach, that had drawings of such switcher, Model Railroad Encyclopedia, Volume 2.
Good luck!
Mike.
EDIT: Looks like Paul has it covered!
My You Tube
mbinsewi Also one of the links I followed, talked about a book from Kalmbach, that had drawings of such switcher, Model Railroad Encyclopedia, Volume 2.
The drawing is on page 39 of the book. It's in the switcher section, not the roadswitcher. And it looks pretty much like a switcher to me. A very attractive one, I will say.
There is a note that says the carbody is the same for the 750, 1000, 1200 HP versions. The cab windows have late and early versions, it is also noted.
Hood width measures 5'-10". Height is 6'-11".
Here is a source for the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Model-Railroader-Cyclopedia-Vol-Locomotives/dp/0890245479/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1546537080&sr=1-1&keywords=model+railroader+cyclopedia
Ed
I thought I might pass this on- saw the subject and thought I might help a little with a pic. There are two preserved LH1200's one at the Illinois Railway Museum outside of Chicago in Union Illinois and one on the White Water Valley Railroad in Connersville Indiana. The Whitewater bought up a lot of equipment and it is visable from the road in Connersville. They have 2 other Lima switchers an LS 750 from the Cincinnati Union Terminal, a LS 1000 from Armco Steel and the LS 1200 from the B&O. I took this from the road a while back and I think I have the right one- looks like faded B&O. I wish I had one from the IRM but didn't find it in my pics- thought I shot most of the stuff there.
You guys are looking at the wrong engine, he's asking about a Lima 1200 hp Roadswitcher.
I remember them well because they were used as a switch engine in the passenger terminal at Amtrak 30th St Station in Philllie.
I would start from an Alco RS1, the size and hood/cab shapes are closer than an Baldwin RS12.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Other than the fllattened arch of the cab roof compared to the continuous arch of an Alco cab. The carbody shape is very close. I remember seeing these in Amtrak paint - actually probably thought they WERE RS-1s.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
dehusmanYou guys are looking at the wrong engine,
I guess so!
Mike
OOPS- was paying attention to the second post- I had not heard of them making a road switcher- had only heard of them making switchers and had seen the one at Connersville. There was some oddball stuff out there in the early first generation as they tended to custom build more, especially the builders converting from steam production. There are some that are wierd to identify, when I first saw the EMC switcher for the Lackawwana at Steamtown I thought it was a Lima until I looked it up. Jim
This is a general 'thank you' to all concerned regarding these very rare and unusual locos, and particularly to dehusman for the photograph. This has all been a condiserable help in this project and I wil post again when I have actually built one(!!).
Sincerely,
Andrew Hobbs