non-prototype locomotives (Diesel or Steam)

[Anonymous]

Im thinking of creating my own locomotive, the DaimlerChrysler MP1 (aka DCP1). A passenger loco, this Modern-era diesel is areodynamically shaped, and can match with any car shorter than a Superliner. Tell me about your non-proto locos in this discussion.

[sumpter250]

Non-prototype. I think the term used to be "freelanced", and can range from what Alco might have built if they had stayed in business, to a GPNCC1701 (the starship enterprise on blomberg trucks!)[I have seen one of these ]. I have been running an outside frame 36" gage 2-4-4-2 compound articulated for about 13 years. I'm currently working on a 2-6-6-2,and I have considered( as a jest ) a number of Walther's Pikers,and an Oscar, pulled by an A-B-A Hustler.
The "jokes" are easy, just build whatever and wait for the laughs. The "could have beens" are the toughest. These require a lot of research into what makes a locomotive really work, what trucks to use, what headlights,bells,whistle/horn,etc.
a DCP1 sounds probable, a DaimlerChrysler articulated sounds like a MercedesBends.

[thirdrail1]

Freelancing Diesel locomotives is a lot more complicated than doing it with steam power, as the real railroads constantly modified their steam locomotives. The Diesel locomotive is a lot more complicated piece of machinery and a lot less forgiving of "shade tree mechanic" modifications. Yes, sheet metal has been modified (see ATSF's CF7's), but you are proposing to create a fictitious locomotive from a company that has just gotten out of the railroad business by selling its Adtranz division to Bombardier! But, model railroading is supposed to be fun, so have at it!

[Anonymous]

First of all, the DCP1 very well could be a prototype if DaimlerChrysler decides to build a loco. It'd have a Mercedes Benz Diesel, one of the most sophistocated in the world, and I'll probably use GE trucks. (EMD is part of GM, Who is already a competitor in autos.)

[Anonymous]

Well, the DCP1 was going to be produced in cooperation with GE. This is going to be of it's own design, which should make things easier, as it won't be based much on any prototype. The only proto features may be the fact that I want to use a six-axle GE frame, but most details that identify it as a GE will be hidden by side skirting except for the trucks. Do you have any ideas on what frames I should use?

[Anonymous]

By the way, I've been thinking of building a Garrat for my freelance (American!) railway, the Hazzard And Southern. This is just so I don't have a Mallet like everyone else, and Garrats can handle tighter turns than Mallets With equivalent power.

[Anonymous]

A freelanced Daimler-GE, sounds like fun. Try using DASH-9 trucks if you want a modern 6 axle look. My brother built a custom "SGP-60MX" called a "Sheep" instead of a "Geep". He took a little GP-60 body and added modified Union Pacific styled SD-60M widecab. X for experimental. It was quite an intersting little diesel and it got a few laughs when it got caught in a tunnel. He made the wide cab angled out at the top wider than standard UP cab and didn't keep the tunnel clearance in mind while building it! He won't ever live that down. So make sure you don't forget about width on your loco either, or you could be hauling 2 trains with that Daimler.

[Anonymous]

Dont worry about me. The loco should be about the size of the Dash-9 body that came off of the chassis, since it will be designed around the chassis. Do you prefer a certian brand of Dash-9 for this project?

[Anonymous]

There's nothing wrong with an Athearn Dash 9 frame, but if you want performance, go with Kato. They are the ones to beat. Overland might make a brass underframe for the Dash 9. I know they've made just about every underframe you could fit under a Rail Power Products shell.
As far as carbody design is concerned, I'd suggest you tap into some of the rich heritage of German diesels. It may sound crazy, but I'll bet Diamler-Benz had something to do with some of Germany's diesel hydraulics (although Krauss-Maffei is probably one of the better known German manufacturers). And let's not forget the real money behind Diamler-Chrysler: Diamler. However, I will credit Chrysler for bringing some beautiful designs along in the past ten years. This sounds like a really fun project. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

thanx for the info. As far as carbody design, Ive already established that. It is quite influinced by Chrysler car designs.

[Anonymous]

James,
I'd go with an Athern Dash 9 model, although a Kato would be a great unit to run. I really like this Proto 2000 SD-60 that I just bought. It has six axle trucks too, and it can pull more than 78 cars for sure. I tried to get it to pull everything I own and it did it too, no problem! Probably can haul another 8-10 cars. The only problem you might have is that the weight conforms to the inside of the SD-60 shell. You might want to check one out out your local dealer though. You can see the entire unit to see what I mean.

[Anonymous]

That's great, except that General Motors is already a competetor of DaimlerChrysler in the automobile field. GE would make a much better business partner.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to hear of any of your current or past free-lancing projects.

[Anonymous]

James,

Several years ago, I built what I called an "F39-2" which was a GP39-2 with an F45 body. I used an Athearn F45 and a GP38-2 and made it work. I painted it in the MoPac thunder chicken paint scheme. It was really a fun project. Now that you have me thinking about it, I think I'd like to try it again.
I've also scratchbuilt two light industrial switchers and a few slugs, none of them from prototypes, but certainly inspired by different photos.
I have a couple of B40-8 shells without the cabs and I'm tempted to build a modern day equivalent to the U50C. It would be a fun project, but it's going to take some thought before I figure out what the cab would look like. Anyway, fun topic. Anyone else?

Ryan

[Anonymous]

James,
I have had my own aspirations for a 4-10-10-4 steam locomotive. I believe that a diesel would be great. Have at it.

[Anonymous]

Pete, funny you should mention the Pikers and Oscar idea. I've been kicking around a similar idea, using for power an old AHM Dockside I bought several years ago. I shall call it my Short o' Funds Express.
Incidently, that Dockside travels approximately 350 scale mph!

[Anonymous]

Hi there,
My railroad has one 2-axle Henschel-Rheinmetall diesel-hydraulic switcher on demostration. The builder wants to prove that a hydraulic transmission is much superior to an electric one on switchers. It's a Minitrix N scale loco modified by the removal of its buffers and the addition of Micro-Trains couplers.
As for the (American) Beyer-Garrat, go ahead as you have a precedent for it - Alco held the Beyer-Garrat building license in the USA, although they never enticed any American roads into purchasing one...

[Anonymous]

Well, the loco has 4 sets of 6 drivers, arranged in a 4-6-6-4+4-6-6-4 fashon. Considering the fact that essentally this is two UP Challenger frames, it seems natural that these "Chargers" would be built by Alco, who produced Challengers for the UP.

[Anonymous]

The Burlington Northern lives. I'm currently doing paint sceems on the C44-9w and SD90Mac in black over green in N-scale. I want to try SP SD90Mac. Making a modern loco gp70? Will see!

[Anonymous]

speaking of ressurected fallen flags, i currently own a Delaware and Hudson, and a Rio Grande SD90MAC. i found a guy that custom builds and paints modern locos for any road name you want. you can check out his website HTTP://www.geocities.com/trainart he also painted some dash 9's for the CB&Q and Chessie (i think) he also scratchbuilds cabless units (SD90BAC etc...) he may be able to help you with some ideas. just tell him Alex sent ya :)

[Anonymous]

i just came up with the ultimate loco that i am going to build. it will be called the DDAC90X. it will be like the DDA40X, but it will be 2 SD90MAC-H's put together. it will have 4 trucks, 12 axles, and an extended cab. the best reasoning behind this loco i can come up with is that it is designed for non stop fast freights. the extended cab will have sleeping quarters for another crew, kinda like team driving an 18 wheeler. that way some of the stops can be cut out. also, with it's 4 trucks, it's weight will be more evenly distributed so it can operate on any existing tracks and around tight curves. i plan to take 2 or 3 rail power 90MAC shells and chassies and cut em up and put em back together. it will be powered with 2 motors like the athearn DD40. the leading and trailng trucks will be unpowered, with the 2 middle trucks powered. this thing is gonna rock! i'll be sure to get some pictures of it up when i get it assembled......ordering the parts now :) thank y'all for the ideas in this forum.

[GDRMCo]

I have a H9025M which is like a SD90AC except it is streched even further and rides on 2 4 axel trucks i designed andf has a longer cab. Specs: Weight 600,000lbs
Length 58.40m
HP 8,500HP
Trucks Softride Radial

GDRMCo

[GDRMCo]

Right on james. here in aus we had garrats. now we have CLPs, NJs and NZs.

[GDRMCo]

I have designed a larger steamer than you trainmaster15. it is the 4-10-10-6 Highlander built to pull anything with more power than the 2-6-6-6 Alegheny. it has the same size firebox as the 2-6-6-6 but more drivers and can pull as much as 2 2-6-6-6s.

[GDRMCo]

I also have made a DSA50M and a DSB50M

[bfsfabs]

James, Along about 1963 I was entranced by the "look" of the UP Veranda turbines and decided to have one. Only it turned out to be an Athearn F7 A and B with the sides cutaway and the sides of a GP 9 hood stuck in thier place. Definitly cool looking rig. Hobbytown multi-drive pulls like a demon and it is still cooking along in revenue service.

Lowell

[Morpar]

Recently put the finishing touches on my latest and greatest creation. I call it a CC-80X. Basically, it's 2 Athearn F45 shells joined together(only 1 cab)and placed on a custom chassis. Chassis is scratchbuilt and set up with span bolsters and 4 6-axle trucks, similar to N&W Jawn Henry turbine. Used SD40-2 "porches" for the pilots on the bolsters. I used 1 large Sagami motor to power all axles. The motor barely fits in the shell, and I did have to shave the inside of the shell for clearance. Since my road is still in boxes waiting for a home, I don't have any performance data. All that is left to do is the decals, but I don't have them made yet. This loco is supposed to be the result of a joint venture between the Great Lake Central Railroad and EMD in the early 70's. GLC management was looking for a replacement for the 15 Jawn Henry style turbines that had been in service, yet did not want to stay with turbines or lose the ability to run these units system-wide. EMD provided 20 cylinder engines, modified like the 16 cylinder was for the DD40AX, to produce 4000 horsepower each for a total of 8000 horsepower on tap. These locos were built on the old turbine frames, but the tri-mount trucks were replaced with the newer EMD trucks to handle the increased horsepower. The F45 style body was chosen to blend in with the F45's being recieved from EMD at the time and the rest of the passenger fleet, as these locos were destined for fast freight and passenger service. The results of the first test unit were good, and the order was made for all 15 turbines to become diesels. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! Good luck, Morpar

[GDRMCo]

I am also planning to build an ALCo HPA/HPB Heavy Passenger units. They look like normal ALCo PA/PBs but are as long as a SD9043MAC and ride 2 4 axle trucks and have 6000HP to pull the GDRMCo's Highlander named after their 4-10-10-6 Highlander steam engine. The story goes the Great Dividing Range Mining Co. needed a boost in productivity and worked with ALCo to produce a loco powerful enough to pull a 100 car passenger train across the GDRMCo.'s Rande Route. When the first new unit arrived it was numbered 555A. During trials 555A proved to be able to produce 100,000 pounds of tractive effort which was required to pull 50 50 pound 5 truck 4 unit articulated passenger cars built by Pullman Standard. when the second unit arrived, a booster unit, it was numbered 555B. These units were so successful the GDRMCo. bought 50 more numbered 556-606.

[Anonymous]

Hey, what about a totally goofy thing like a modern comfort cab being spliced onto an RS-1 body? Maybe justified as an industrial switcher, bought secondhand and repowered by its owner, given a comfort cab because of union labor rules and because the distance from mine to processing center is something ridiculous, like a 12-hour trip through abject wilderness. What if gold was discovered in the Alaskan interior in sufficient quantity to justify such a run, with the smelter being near the coast?

And, what if, what if, world economic conditions had collapsed to the point that gold was a much more valuable commodity, the only reliable currency, and thus this forlorn little mine run was a real security risk? Imagine this little locomotive being equipped with a machine gun turret! And of course an armed caboose would be necessary.

[Anonymous]

Odd you should bring this up as i've been eyeballing this oddball shaped cap on some kind of hair stuff that my daughter uses on her hair in the morning time and trying to figure out what kind of Hot Shot Fireball I can make out of it. HA HA HA, if she only knew. One morning, that thing will come up missing and she'll wonder what the old man is up to. Only I would be so bold.[}:)][}:)][}:)][:D]