Hey everyone, I am looking for a GE 44 ton switcher shell that will fit over a modifyed Kato Critter chassis. I bought one about 6 months ago from a guy on E-bay, but he isn't offering any castings right now. so the big question is dose anyone have one that they would like to part with? thanks
One of these just came up on Ebay and erupted in a two-person shootout that resulted in the shell going for $100. No kidding. And the shell looked pretty rough, at least to me. I'd heard that the last batch, possibly copies, were really soft. Some people were really not happy. Which prompted me to start an investigation of who, if anybody, still holds the copyright to that shell. I thought JnJ did, I could be wrong, but they were the ones that tried and apparently failed to produce a kit with their own mechanism. It's no longer on their web page. I could probably make another master of my own, and run shells myself, but I'd certainly want it copyrighted if I go through that effort. The interest and demand certainly seems there. When I scratchbuilt my 44-tonner - gee, was it really three years ago?? - I had no idea I'd ever learn resin casting.
From my understanding, the gentleman bought out JnJs stock. I bought the first one he offered on Ebay at a ridiculous price and he offered me a second one, leading me to believe that was the extent of what he had. Then he had more at auction, but the resin was white instead of gray, leading me to believe he was making copies of copies. Mine is in really good shape, so I probably got one of the original JnJ shells. I will never have time or inclination to build it, so If you would be interested, I would part with it for $40 including shipping, about $60 less than I got suckered for.
If I would do a shell, it will be a ground-up effort, and after my experience with the Whitcomb, would probably design a replacement frame to accept the Kato parts (trucks, motor, contacts), rather than relying on a hacked Kato frame to fit - also solving the wheelbase problem.
I think the one I got now was one of those copys, I had to totally re-build the cab windows. but I am happy with my effort so far. one of my fellow N scalers, Jim Yonkins, would like to have one for one of the industrys on his mud bay & Southern.
If anybody was prepared to do a new master and sell body kits, I'd be interested in one. I certainly wouldn't want a copy of a copy. Given the widespread use of the prototype (even to this day) and the relative popularity the 44t in larger scales, I'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger effort to produce one in N. Maybe if enough people asked, Atlas or Kato could be convinced to do one RTR? Anybody but Bachmann. Cheers David
with all this talk about the 44 tonner, I figured I would show some pics of mine, witch is a work in progress, I totally re-built the fuel tank sides and truck sideframes. I also chopped off the pilots and added some old pilots from a atlas RS3 shell I had in my parts box. I am trying to get it to more represent one of the US Army's 44 ton switcher that served at Ft. Lewis during WWII and Korea, A witcomb I think. well here is some pics. Pics of my custom sideframes, they do look better at 12 inches rather than 2 inches
I have side frames (thanks Chris ) & the mech. ready to go,but this is why I didnt buy the body as you've stated below. If anyone can do a great job of casting it'd be you Randy I'd be up for one if you decide to do them.
