I am not big on diesels any more but have been wanting a GE 65-tonner to stage on its way to the Alcoa plant that use to be in Badin, N.C. It would be staged on a flatcar on a freight heading south if I ever get far enough to do so. The switcher replaced two Porter steam switchers, one a 2-4-2T the other being a 2-6-2T. Hopefully this will yet work out. I figure I can build it using the catwalk of the Bachman GE 70-tonner and the carbody of a GE 44-tonner. Will have to see how it goes... Have also given some thought (quite a bit of thought actually) about building one of the Carolina Aluminum steamers, the 2-6-2T, to be staged heading to Roanoke for scrapping as well. Very unique little switcher that would really be a prize if I can pull it off. Actually looking to do something similar to what was done with an Atlas 2-6-0 by the name of Joachim that he built several years ago, though a bit heavier of an engine than what he constructed... http://www.us-modellbahnen.de/worktrains/bau.2-6-2.usa.html Am looking seriously at possible a Baldwin VO660 using a Bachmann ALCO S4 chassis and the Shapeways print by MD Shops or possibly an Arnold SW1 for a shortline operation that branches of off one of my freelanced subsidiary lines. Would have been a natural for that shortline, which unfortunately died by the early 50s in the real world. Right now all I can do is wait for money to become available for me to start doing one of these planned switchers.
Jerry got talking about smaller industrial switchers and a 44 tonner. Got me thinking about another one of my favorites.
i think if memory serves, lifelike had then in ho and n. its been a few years now. if wathers still sales them. maybe ebay might have them around?
The "Gulf and Pacific Railroad" is the name of my layout; a continuation of my Dad's layout.... PS just realized this is a N scale forum....sorry! But us HO scalers do have "favorite switchers", too! John
John, He was known as the Big Bear Lake, town clown. His clown name rhymed with Bags. He is allegedly no longer with us. Certainly not in attendance at any operations night. Although he may have visited your layout in years past. It was a game with him to see how much he could take and get away with. I wouldn't invite that type, to any function I planned. He lost out on his welcome at my place and as my Rail Fanning side kick on Sundays. I hated to do it but enough was enough and lose of train equipment was more then I could afford. Replacement costs have skyrocketed as though all of us Americans are rich or some such. Yeah right...wrong. Your good! Hmm we have other problems to worry about. I said not grinning.
To what example of a N scale diesel switcher are we referring to? Mine was an SW type, ATSF in Zebra Stripes made by Life Like. Not to be confused by Walthers line of products. I bought it before Walthers, bought out Life Like. So mine had nothing to do with Walthers. It wasn't a smooth runner but more of a sentimental thing having had a granddad that operated a similar style switch engine in the ATSF Barstow Yard. I hated to lose it and would actually give a fair chunk of change aka money to buy it back.
The LL SWs are one of my favorite mechs. Change out the worms for Kato brass worms then with some careful tuning and tweaking they CAN be made to run extremely smooth and quiet while crawling tie to tie. Jim
Hi Jim, Noted and thanks. That will change the operational experience for 3 or 4 others operating on the layout.
John A. and of course everyone else tuned in here, The switcher pictured is a favorite of mine and a number of us BVMR's. It's a growler but great fun to operate at very slow speeds. Nothing like switching out Sarah's Valley, and then down a branch line to John's Town. The mayor there isn't much happy with me. He wants his water delivered on time and is constantly calling the Train Master in Hannah Vista, to complain. John's whole layout is as well detailed and scenic-ed as you see in the pictures. Loads of fun and when you first see it you get a shock and awe moment. Never mind John, we aren't purest here and seeing an HO switcher can be just as awe inspiring. Now I want one on my N Scale layout LOL.
I'm a steam guy but I just love the ancient diesel sounds of this old HH660. I added a Tsunami sound decoder with the appropriate turbocharged prime mover and lettered it for a friends layout using prototype photos. I gave it to him as an early Christmas gift. Even his wife enjoys the sound of it. Oops! It's HO scale. Pardon me.
Thanks for the kind words, Rick! Beautiful job, Jim. And love how you use rail that is to scale, too.