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How many of you build new locomotives for your railroad?

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icmr
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  • From: Mp 126 on the St. Louis District of NS's IL. Div.
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How many of you build new locomotives for your railroad?
Posted by icmr on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:35 AM
Sometime Im going to build a new locomotive for my railroad. Im wondering how many here build new locos for your RR's. My new loco will be a rebuild of a SD70, it will be called a SD70RCW. R = Rebuilt and CW = Dash 9 saftey cab. It will be on a SD80MAC frame with the trucks and motor from the SD80MAC. It might sound crazy but I have the parts and Im wanting to use them.

Have fun.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:40 AM
This is not ""building" a locomotive. This is ktbashing - taking parts from several kits and bashing them into something else. Building a loco infers starting from scratch, making everything yourself.

I've done a lot of kitbashing myself.

Bob Boudreau
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icmr
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Posted by icmr on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:45 AM
Right I know that but when you are talking in prototype language they dont say the kitbashed a new loco they say they rebuilt them with parts from different locos. Words dont matter though kitbashing or rebuilding, same thing.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 12:42 PM
Somebody in my area dreamt up and built this:



That's S. Berliner III's "DDP45". Imagineering at its best! [:D]
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GAPPLEG
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Posted by GAPPLEG on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 12:49 PM
About the only one I've done lately (that I have a photo of ) is in my signature. I started this thing 25 years ago. It sat in a box for years. it's now a U-18b. Had the tank milled back in the early 80's sometime and never got around to completing it. Nothing to crow about, but it's done.

Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 1:18 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by icmr

Sometime Im going to build a new locomotive for my railroad. Im wondering how many here build new locos for your RR's. My new loco will be a rebuild of a SD70, it will be called a SD70RCW. R = Rebuilt and CW = Dash 9 saftey cab. It will be on a SD80MAC frame with the trucks and motor from the SD80MAC. It might sound crazy but I have the parts and Im wanting to use them.

Have fun.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]


It is not so crazy to kit bash your models. Many railroads have used hoods and parts to rebuild one of a kind from wrecks into engines that were never offered new.

Your story could include the reason this rebuild situation happened to justify the new model on your railroad.
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 1:23 PM
The whole scratch-building thing vs. kitbashing is interesting.

I was researching what it would take to scratchbuild a while back. You essentially cannot scratchbuild a locomotive. You will still buy gears and motors. You may build the motor, but then you'll purchase bearings, etc.

There's a line that defines "scratch", but you move that line to whatever you think is appropriate, I guess.
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icmr
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Posted by icmr on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 2:30 PM
Thanks for the replies. CARRfan, that was very well said. I like the pics guys.



Victor

Happy Railroading.
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 2:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CARRfan

The whole scratch-building thing vs. kitbashing is interesting.
There's a line that defines "scratch", but you move that line to whatever you think is appropriate, I guess.


The NMRA Achievement Program has a category Master Builder - Locomotives, and one of the many requirements is that the applicant scratch build a loco. They list items that don't need to be scratchbuilt, like the motor, wheels, couplers, light bulbs, detail parts such as horns, etc. as it is not really practical to do so.

Items that modelers typically make themselves include the chassis, truck sideframes, body, handrails, etc. I personally have all the requirements for this award except for this one. I've been thinking of scracthing a Trackmobile, following an old article in MR. It would be powered by a NWSL Flea power truck, with most of the rest of it made from styrene. One of these days!

The original poster noted "Words dont matter though kitbashing or rebuilding, same thing." Yes, but the subject of this post does say "build" new locomotives, and not rebuild existing ones. There is a difference.

Bob Boudreau


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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 2:55 PM
Bob, I hear you. I did not realize the NMRA had a definition for scratchbuilding.

I wonder if in the old days they defined scratchbuilding as also machining your own wheels, winding your own motors, etc.
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jrbernier
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Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 3:05 PM
May not be 'building' from scratch, but I just ordered the boiler kit and super detail kit from Cary for a Mantua 'General' that I won off of eBay. One of those 'projects' that I hope to have complete and entered in a regional contest in May.

Jim Bernier

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 5:35 PM
QUOTE: My new loco will be a rebuild of a SD70, it will be called a SD70RCW. R = Rebuilt and CW = Dash 9 saftey cab. It will be on a SD80MAC frame with the trucks and motor from the SD80MAC
Interesting. That would look neat.
The model name "DASH 9-44CW" stands for- dash 9 series, 4400 horsepower, and the "C" stands for 6 axle and the "W" stands for widecab. I think it's prototypical to build your own loco's . IC built GP8's, GP10's and GP11's. The possibilities are endless- here are a few i thought of- GP80MAC[(-D], GP38-2M (M= north american saftey cab)
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tatans
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Posted by tatans on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 6:25 PM
L.I.T. Now that is what I call building a locomotive and using one's imagination, it's too bad designers for diesel locomotives don't revert to newer designs, rear cab, mid cab, cabs on roofs, round designs, etc. etc. there must be hundreds of different configurations to enclose an engine and motors, if modellers can do it so should manufacturers
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 6:55 PM
I also built a U18B out of a Atlas U23B and c30-7 shell. Came out decent.


Josh modeling the Maine Central in 1976
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 7:43 PM
I think yall are getting caught up in the semantics and missing the point of the post. I think IMCR was just describing a project and looking for feedback. There are many different levels of modification one can do to modify/ kitbash/re-create an engine. IMCR plans to create a "fantasy" model by combining existing parts. Go for it. You will have a unique piece that you can be proud of.

Below is a "insert correct term here" slug .



In this second image you can see the height difference when compared to the 2 Geeps

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Texas Zepher
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Posted by Texas Zepher on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 7:52 PM
I've never built a new one from the ground up. I'll have to add that to my list. I do have several drawn up. However I have kitbashed many. My favorite is an SD30. I'll see if I can drum up a picture of it.
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TrainFreak409
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:19 PM
LongIslandTom, do you know Sam personally??? I've been emailing him back and forth, and have contributed to his website. He has some awesome stuff, aside from my contributions. [swg][(-D]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:19 PM
well for my HO Archer Grain railroad i have built a couple of kitbashes
i took a proto 2000 gp18 and added the following
Chopped the nose, built a cab simular to Santa Fe's Topeka cab, and milled the fuel tank down. Then took out the air tanks and added new detail associates ones to the sides, instead of behind the fuel tank. Then i added a cab air conditioner, antenna stand, and moved the horn to just behind the cab and added all the piping. Then I cut off the running boards and added mu hoses, air hose, coupler lift bar, mu stands, ditchlights, a low headlight in the nose, and winshield wipers, wire grab irons, and lift rings. then i added 4 exhaust stacks, and new fans. then i added the speed recorders and piping between the brake cylinders on the trucks, then i cut of the outside brakes on the trucks.
I named this model the gp19-1.

then i have been working on several gp7u chop noses for the Santa fe.

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:22 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix
The possibilities are endless- here are a few i thought of- GP80MAC[(-D], GP38-2M (M= north american saftey cab)


The Canadians are way ahead of ya with their CN GP38-2 with safety cab.. [:D]

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:34 PM
but did the saftey cab on a CN GP38-2 look like a SD70M cab?
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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:37 PM
Oh, i see your pic of the 38. But mine would have a SD70M cab.
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trainboyH16-44
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Posted by trainboyH16-44 on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

- here are a few i thought of- GP80MAC[(-D], GP38-2M (M= north american saftey cab)

CN beat you to it in the '70s.. http://mile262.railfan.net/gallery/cnrail/locomotive/cn/cn4799.html
[:p]

Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296

Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:57 PM
I've been doing it for a long time too:



Bob Boudreau
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icmr
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Posted by icmr on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:31 PM
Thanks for the replies guys. The pics are great. I have started on my engine. I dont know when I'll have pics.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
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TrainFreak409
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:49 PM
Well, I should have put this with my first post in this thread, but...

I do plan on building new locomotives for my railroads, and from the projects I have in mind, I am not limiting myself to diesels. I have many plans that I hope to at least attempt. I would have probably started something if I had some styrene and more tools, but the lack of both limits me as to what I can actually do.

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:18 PM
so icmr, you're going to take parts from engines you have now and build your new one?
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twhite
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Posted by twhite on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:33 PM
I've enjoyed 'kitbashing' or 'converting' or whatever one chooses to call it--for years I wanted a Rio Grande F-81 2-10-2 for my MR, but could never find one. I finally found a 'junker' brass 2-10-2 at a swap meet and went about doing a conversion with a whole truckload of castings, and got myself a pretty fair replica if I do say so, myself.
Just this year, I got a Spectrum USRA Heavy Mountain that I realize can be converted into a Southern Pacific MT-2 with some castings and adjustments, so that's my next project.
I've converted or modified quite a few of my steam locos over the years--everything from a few details like different headlights and feedwater heater systems to entire 'face-lifts'. I think it's one of the pleasures of the hobby.
Tom [:D]

Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!

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canazar
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Posted by canazar on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 12:40 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

I've been doing it for a long time too:



Bob Boudreau


Bob,

I had to do a triple take on that. Now THAT, is freakin sweet. Is that a Wide Cab on a GP-9?[:O]

Best Regards, Big John

Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona.  Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the  Kiva Valley Railway

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tomikawaTT
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Posted by tomikawaTT on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 2:36 AM
Other than some wood and cardstock creations of my early youth (now, mercifully, lost in the mists of time) my efforts to date have involved minor redetailing and kitbashing. However, in the (hopefully not too distant) future I'm going to take on putting scratchbuilt superstructures over some steam loco mechanisms that currently run well enough, but have superstructures that are utterly inappropriate to my modeling era and location. Materials and ideas are at hand. The missing link is time, which is presently fully occupied with layout construction.
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icmr
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Posted by icmr on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 8:19 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

so icmr, you're going to take parts from engines you have now and build your new one?


That's right dingoix. I made a couple revisions since my first post. The loco Im building right now will be a SD70R with the SD70 spartan cab and SD80MAC radiators replacing the SD70's. The only thing I dont have is the motor. I should have pics at the end of the week. NOTE: this is my first time building/bashing locomotives so it might be a while before I get everything right.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
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