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Your dream model?

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Posted by ShadowNix on Sunday, August 13, 2006 2:43 PM

Had to look up what a "Little Joe" was...very interesting story... here is one link with a summary

http://www.highironillustrations.com/railfan_specification/spec_littlejoe.html

 

That would be a cool train!

 

Brian

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
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Posted by Tommy0218 on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 1:24 PM
Mine would be a 2-6-2 modeled after a Baldwin in 15" gaugeSmile [:)]
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Posted by Renegade1c on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 2:02 PM

Mine would be either be a 2-6-6-2 Mallet painted for Denver and Salt Lake or a 0-4-0 0-4-0 2-foot gauge beyer garrett in HO scale


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Posted by BRAKIE on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 2:19 PM
Gee,me thinks I am beyond the dream thing but,we all have wishes..A C&O G9 2-8-0 comes to mind as does  GP15-1 and GP39/39-2.A oddity would be a Santa Fe 1950 Class 2-8-0.I had one years ago..A United Models.

Larry

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Posted by P42 108 on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:10 PM
I'd like to see a model of Amtrak's ex-metroliner cab cars with the yellow and black stripes on the front. They are still in operation today in the northeast. They used to work on the San Diegans in California. I often visit Amtrak's Springfield Line here in Connecticut to see them working on the shuttle trains between New Haven and Springfield, MA. As far as I know, there are models of the metroliners, but not the updated versions still in service today. They'd go great with my Amfleet coaches if one was made.
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Posted by GAPPLEG on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:43 PM

 P42 108 wrote:
I'd like to see a model of Amtrak's ex-metroliner cab cars with the yellow and black stripes on the front. They are still in operation today in the northeast. They used to work on the San Diegans in California. I often visit Amtrak's Springfield Line here in Connecticut to see them working on the shuttle trains between New Haven and Springfield, MA. As far as I know, there are models of the metroliners, but not the updated versions still in service today. They'd go great with my Amfleet coaches if one was made.

I worked on those here at GE when we rebuilt them in the 70's. Doing a flying changeover from catenary to 3rd rail is a real charge. We had them over 100 mph on our short test track more than once. Till they put the clamps on us. We re-built the bar cars as well with all new equipment. I think I would even buy a set of those , just because.

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Posted by Renegade1c on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 12:49 PM

I was thinking of the two-car self propelled unit the Rio Grande used for the Prospector.


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Posted by Gandy Dancer on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:43 PM
 Don Z wrote:
It's a sick dream, I know....but, I'd love to see Athearn Genesis, Broadway Limited or Tower 55 produce......
  Is that a U50?
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Posted by Gandy Dancer on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:45 PM
 Renegade1c wrote:
I was thinking of the two-car self propelled unit the Rio Grande used for the Prospector.
Other than the number of cars, how is that different from the Pioneer Zephyr and Yankee Flyer?
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Posted by SD60M on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:57 PM
Mine is a BN SD60M in Ho made by BLI, Atlas, P2K, or even Kato. As long as it has sound, ditchlights, and good details i'll be happy! It also has to be about $200.
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Posted by Don Z on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:05 PM

 Gandy Dancer wrote:
 Don Z wrote:
It's a sick dream, I know....but, I'd love to see Athearn Genesis, Broadway Limited or Tower 55 produce......
  Is that a U50?

Yes sir, it is.....from the web:

Some have called the U50 / U50c ugly,. other thought awesome.  Not matter what you think, they were different.  

The concept was to have two different power plants under one unit. The locomotives were built using B-B trucks, connected by one frame which connected between the 2nd & 3rd axle of each set of trucks. The U50C, built later had 5000 HP twin power plants.  The trucks and frames came from another unique locomotive build, UP's GE gas turbine.  (U50Cs also were six axle.)

Production of the U50's started in 69. The engines saw service for approximately 10 years. 
Southern Pacific also tested the U50's. The U50's were great on heavy trains and mainlines.  Alas - they were pretty much limited to mainlines and were not as versatile as some of the newer engines coming out in the late 70's (i.e. SD40-2s).

Although railfans loved them, some engineers related stories of being scarred out of their wits when meeting other trains on curves, or going into sidings (not to mention rough riding).  

Another contributing factor to the U50's demise was the aluminum wiring.  As with houses, some aircraft and ships; the aluminum wire had to be replaced within 10 years of the engine.  Being to costly to replace the wire; it was easier to replace the engine.

Don Z.

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Posted by GAPPLEG on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:11 PM
 Don Z wrote:

 Gandy Dancer wrote:
 Don Z wrote:
It's a sick dream, I know....but, I'd love to see Athearn Genesis, Broadway Limited or Tower 55 produce......
  Is that a U50?

Yes sir, it is.....from the web:

Some have called the U50 / U50c ugly,. other thought awesome.  Not matter what you think, they were different.  

The concept was to have two different power plants under one unit. The locomotives were built using B-B trucks, connected by one frame which connected between the 2nd & 3rd axle of each set of trucks. The U50C, built later had 5000 HP twin power plants.  The trucks and frames came from another unique locomotive build, UP's GE gas turbine.  (U50Cs also were six axle.)

Production of the U50's started in 69. The engines saw service for approximately 10 years. 
Southern Pacific also tested the U50's. The U50's were great on heavy trains and mainlines.  Alas - they were pretty much limited to mainlines and were not as versatile as some of the newer engines coming out in the late 70's (i.e. SD40-2s).

Although railfans loved them, some engineers related stories of being scarred out of their wits when meeting other trains on curves, or going into sidings (not to mention rough riding).  

Another contributing factor to the U50's demise was the aluminum wiring.  As with houses, some aircraft and ships; the aluminum wire had to be replaced within 10 years of the engine.  Being to costly to replace the wire; it was easier to replace the engine.

Don Z.

Ah, you know your stuff. I built U-50C's at GE when I started there in 1970, yes the Aluminum wire was a failure. Wasn't fun to install either , it was half again larger than copper. Very unwieldy to handle. Sure made alot of money (hourly rate) on those , constant enginnering changes. I'd love to see an affordable model of the C  and the BB's the SP had for a while.

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Posted by Don Z on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 3:13 PM

GappleG,

As much as I'd like to take the credit, I noted in my post that I found that information on the web.....did a Google search for the U50 in Images, found one photo and it had the forementioned information about the locomotive.

Don Z.

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Posted by Cederstrand on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 3:34 PM

It would be easy to "DITTO" a number of posts on this question. We have a 15 acres farm, suitable for a live-steam layout, but zero funds to even ponder such an undertaking. For this lifetime, a garden RR would be more feasible.

In N scale, I would love to see a model of the largest articulated Garret loco. One day I might endeavor to try scratch building one, but would much rather buy a RTR version. Such an unusual looking iron beast would be nifty for hauling "stock" to the Soylent Green Plant. Dinner [dinner]

Cowboy [C):-)] Rob

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Posted by reklein on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 4:03 PM
I don't know why this thread got resurrected,but I'd like to take the opprotunity to say that a string of P2K Milwaukee "Little Joes" would be very cool indeed.
In Lewiston Idaho,where they filmed Breakheart pass.
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Posted by leighant on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 6:08 PM

This may seem wierd.  Like someone who admits to having all the trains he wants and doesn't need any more.  But I pretty much have what I want for the layout, ESPECIALLY in terms of motive power.  I might want "more-of-the-same" when I actually get a mid-size layout running.  I've GOT what I want in engines, and I have several times what I can use on my train-set-minimum-radius-curve layout at only slightly larger than minimum size table.

Oh, by the way, I am in N scale...which makes a difference in availability of specific models.

I would like a few pieces of rolling stock-- a Santa Fe heavyweight coach.  A Santa Fe BX-3 boxcar-- I could probably scratchbuild that, and maybe one day I will.  A Santa Fe converted BX-24 "reefer standards" boxcar for reefer salt transport-- another possible scratchbuild.  Intermountain is about to build a real Santa Fe stock car and I have pre-ordered some.

My "dream" is not any model but a layout.

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Posted by CabooseD on Thursday, July 12, 2007 5:06 PM
Yes, it would be 1:29 Scale GE 6000 AC with AirWire 900 in CPRail livery for Garden Railways and Phoenix Sound of course.
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Posted by hogheadmt on Thursday, July 12, 2007 5:20 PM

  For a dream locomotive model I'd pick a 2-10-4 Texas type used by Bessemer & Lake Erie in brass or plastic (if well done with correct cab roof hatches).  I think it was done in brass about 25 years ago, but I can't remember the manufacturer.  The Proto-2000 2-10-2 that came out earlier this year was an excellent representation of the last 5 2-10-2's the B&LE bought, and that type of quality would be wonderful on a model of the 2-10-4's.

Michael

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Posted by bladeslinger on Thursday, July 12, 2007 5:44 PM

Well, it's not exactly a dream model, but I'd like to see one of the better loco companies do a proper HO Scale GP50 in Southern Railway (High Hood Of Course!).  I know Bachmann's cheaper line offers one, but not only does it not look that hot, but the lettering is pretty way off on it.  Maybe Atlas, Athearn, BLI, Kato or someone one of that quality could do a proper one.  And offer it in several road numbers while they're at it.  I'm glad to see that some companies have been producing Southern High Hoods the past few years...in fact, I missed a few models because I drifted away from the hobby for a few years.  Fortunately I've found a few of them, but am still looking for some of the rest.  I'm looking forward to Athearn and BLI's SD40-2's that are supposed to come out soon.  I'd like to see someone tackle Southern U23B's, U30C's and U33C's, as well as the B30-7A1.  I wouldn't complain if Atlas did another run of GP38's with some new numbers, or perhaps a new run of GP38-2's (they have N scale -2's, so why not HO scale as well?) 

Of course, one of the biggest things I'd like to see from ALL locomotive manufacturers is for them to skip around more when they select numbers for locos and rolling stock.  Lately they've been doing pretty good, but sometimes they tend to come out with consecutive numbers, or just a few numbers apart, when the prototype had 200-300 of that particular unit running and they could have chosen numbers a lot further apart.  And of course when it comes to rolling stock, they should always skip around, considering most railroads own several hundred or thousand of a particular type of car.   

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Posted by tschwarz on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:14 PM

There is a nice B&O I-12 Caboose available.  It is made by Pacific Mountain Scale Shops and is a resin kit.  You can find it here: http://www.pacificmountain.ca/kits/PMHK05.shtml 

 I have one and I love it and will be getting more!

 Tom

 

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Posted by amccleaf on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:19 PM
For me...plastic Ma&Pa motor cars #s 61 and 62 with coach included....DCC equipped with sound.  Have one in brass, no DCC, needs paint...but would pounce on a reasonably priced accurate plastic one.  :)
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:43 PM
GP39-2. I have seen many less sucessful designs done in plastic but no one apparently wants to touch this one.
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Posted by tschwarz on Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:53 PM

My dream models would be the greatest B&O steam locomotive ever made, the B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4.  It is available in brass but it is VERY expensive.  I would want this with DCC & Sound also and to be reasonable I would even say around $500.  I would also like to see a B&O T-3a 4-8-2 in other than brass.  I would love to have several of both of these locomotives. 

Modeling the Pittsburgh Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Glenwood Yard to New Castle Yard following the old P&W Mainline.

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Posted by riverotter1948 on Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:11 PM
"Please see my avatar." In 2 rail O scale...
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Posted by T-Motor on Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:33 PM

I agree with you!

Only Daniela Pestova is my ultimate dream model.

Second choice would be and affordable plastic high end model of a Little Joe electric

and Bi-Polar!

A SP U50 would be neat also.

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Posted by wesolint on Thursday, July 12, 2007 8:20 PM
I dream of SP&S Alco C636's from Atlas-Stewart/Bowser-Proto2000-SOMEBODY!!!!!
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dAwiappebzs&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dAwiappebzs&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
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Posted by Milwhiawatha on Thursday, July 12, 2007 8:28 PM
Seems my dream model is coming true The Milw Skytop Observation car is finally being produced along with the fill 10 car set of Hiawatha cars. Thank you walthers but little joes would be cool.
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Posted by AggroJones on Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:11 PM

An HO Missabe M4 2-8-8-4 in the green scheme. Made of diecast, glowing white headlight, blackened nicklesilver wheels, no traction tires, robust sound system. Able to run smoothly at all speeds.

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Posted by green_elite_cab on Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:24 PM

Does it have to be a locomotive?

 

I'd really rather have accurate, customizeable PRR/NEC style Catenary and beautiful electrics to run under it.   I would be happy then.

Modeling Conrail, Amtrak and NJ DOT under the wires in New Jersey, July 1979.  

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Posted by green_elite_cab on Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:26 PM
 T-Motor wrote:

I agree with you!

Only Daniela Pestova is my ultimate dream model.

Second choice would be and affordable plastic high end model of a Little Joe electric

and Bi-Polar!

A SP U50 would be neat also.

 

I don't know about the Bi-polars (there have been N scale U50s though), but the Little Joes can be had if you go to an importer of south american model items.  I almost picked one up from the june 2006 NMRA convention ( because i too love electrics)  but at the time i was short on cash, and needed some other things.  Still they are out there, and all you have to do is paint them, and maybe change a few details to get a respectable model.

there may be some on ebay if you are so inclined to use ebay.

Modeling Conrail, Amtrak and NJ DOT under the wires in New Jersey, July 1979.  

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