Bought a magazine today called " Diesel Victory " from Classic Trains. On page 39 it has a photo of a Whitcomb 44 ton locomotive #993 at Wabasha Minnosota in Milw colors orange and black. This was purchased in 1939 prior to purchasing the 3 GE 44 ton locomotives in 1940 and 1941. They share a resemblance to each other except for the steps to the cab. GE has a plate mounted on the side hiding the steps. The Whitecomb steps are visible and have hand rails across the grills at both ends. I just wanted to share this with Milw Road fans as this is the first time I've heard of the Whitecomb 44 ton loco that Milw bought, and the only picture of it I've seen. I also found these pictures on line after reading the article. http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/tr_milw1705.jpg http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/tr_milw996.jpg [ January 07, 2006, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: GCH ]
GCH, I have seen that picture with the louver covers off, but never thought that it wasn't a GE 44tonner. Thanks for the eye opener!
Hey George! Long time! Where have you been??? Milw actually had (7) 44 ton Whitcombs. Also, (2) 80 ton Whitcombs. Then there were two each of Davenport, and GE 44 tonners. Boxcab E50
This is a layout I've got in mind for the 44 tonner and possibly making a transfer caboose from sheet styrene and cutting a flat car down to 26 ft using the drawings that were posted. The concept was done in XTrack. Top track on right is incoming parallel track is out going. I figured I could use a hollow door 7' x 33" cut in in half. It's only 16" wide so it should work. Don't need full structures for the background, cut them to fit.
Hey Ken and AL, Here's one for you if you look beyond the Shay notice the difference in the headlights
Looks like your available space is restricted. But that's still plenty of area to do some serious modeling! Boxcab E50
George, Great Pic!! I have the Bachman GE44 tonner. Bought it undecorated in yellow then decaled it. By the way Ken EXCELLENT avatar, now I'm jealous!!
Since Portola changed their name and will be focusing on WP, maybe that MILW U boat there can move east and rub shoulders with the E and F.
AL Keep them photos coming, I think your layout is looking great. I only wish I had the room for a bigger layout. I like that 44 tonner. Have you made any terminal cabooses from the plans Ken posted. KEN The F unit is running, as to the E I didn't see it running this year, but that dosen't mean it's not running. They do have another Milw loco #760 running with a restored bay window caboose. It looks excellent.
Ken I have not heard anything about the U25b but will try to find out something and let you know. Buy the way where were 44 ton class locomotives used, also the bigger 80 ton centercabs. Could you post a couple of pictures of the 80 tonners George
George- Wish I had some photos. There are a few in books. Such as the one on the CDA Line shown in Woods' book. Most were out of service by the time I was in grade school. They didn't have the poop to pull much. So were used in small industrial switching work. I know one was leased to Weyerhaeuser for use at their Snoqualmie Falls, Washington sawmill. Which seems surprising. As the Milw yard was on a grade. Boxcab E50
George, If you go to the terminal caboose post I think I put pic of mine on there. It isn't made from the plans Boxcab posted but I used a Moleco kit on a 40' flatcar, didn't come out to bad!