I know walthers makes a c424 i have one not happy with it at all so my next steps are to build them using atlas shells and an atlas chassis if i can find one that works i'm not a rivet counter so close is good enough i looked up the measurements on the diesl shop and they are not right they say over a 40+ foot wheel base i thought the c424-425 were closer to 34ft truck centers any help will be appreciated
I have a SP&S C424. The only compaint I have about it is it seems to sit a little too high. It is most noticeable when compared side by side with an Atlas or Kato. But honestly, it is good enough for me.
I believe the model sits at the right height, it just looks high because it's missing the heavy frame pieces that are present on the prototype. Here's a shot that shows the frame. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1215402 Jason
You're right. The model gets a bad rap for sitting too high, but the sill on the real thing is pretty high too. I've seen people put strips of plastic under the model to block the view just like the frame on the real thing. I don't know if they're DCC friendly or not, but my C424's are good runners and look decent. They're a phase 1 and I need a phase 2 for what I want, but they'll do and some day they'll make great starting points for some conversion projects. To build one from scratch or kitbashed from other stuff seems like it would be alot of trouble when you could start with the Walthers model and modify it here and there to your liking.
Thanks guys the reason i'm going to scratchbuild my own is this 1 the motors dead in the one i have walthers says no parts 2 comparing the shells with the atlas century's the walthers is bigger in the body dept and details are chunky 3 tried to swap atlas short nose and cab to many gaps to fill on walthers platform walther body oversize or atlas undersize don't know which yet 4 want to be able to get replacement parts as needed hard to nill with walthers 75% better chance with atlas thanks for the comments all i'll be looking for some gp30's
The 4 axle Cents did have vastly different proportions than the 6 axle variety. While they looks similar, I think there were major differences in everything, even cab sizes. The detail on the LL/Walthers model is VERY good, and the handrails are even a bit better than the Atlas 6 axle version. The GP30/35 chassis will sit too low for the Walthers Cent. You will see a lot of frame under the shell, and not in a good way. I think you will also have major issues trying to get the shell over frame, the Walthers C424 is pretty thin. My advice would be to keep the shell as is. It really is a good representation of a phase 1 C424. Fill the gaps over the trucks by gluing .1" H or I beam from plastruct or Evergreen onto the metal chassis. This will look like the prototype's underslung frame poking out beneeth the body. Finally, replace the dead stock motor with any Atlas slow speed motor. They can be swapped out without any modifications.
The number one reason I shy away from Walthers locos. Few, if any, parts are available for anything and an almost zero chance of a rerun. The hand full of parts available are ridiculously expensive. Still, if you want a C424 it's a good thing the one option is a nice looking and running one. I wonder if a motor from something else would fit? You might have some luck stuffing an Atlas motor in the Walthers frame or something. I don't know for sure what would or wouldn't fit, just an idea.
Sounds like the Walthers shell is a good one. If the problem is a motor just buy a can motor or and atlas motor and modify the frame to fit it. Sounds like you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. And I wouldn't compare it to another model, compare it to the real thing.
Well i'm going to end this post here all i ask was what chassis from atlas would work to build some c424/425's a couple of you were very helpful while i was being bashed by others because i had a walthers c424 die on me and i wanted to build my own this is why i wont be posting here anymore goodbye and do whatever
I'm sorry if you felt you were being bashed. You have to admit "my motor died so I'm going to scratchbuild the entire engine, because fitting a new motor would be too hard." Is quite a lot to take in. You should do whatever makes you happy. We were all just trying to offer simpler solutions. Some of us think you're being a little too hard on the Walthers shell. That's just a difference of opinion. No bashing intended.
I can't see anyone picking on you. You asked for advice. We gave you advice. The Walthers/LL C424 is a solid engine. Atlas motors fit in it and that would eliminate any need for Walthers parts (the trucks swap too, by the way). In fact, the only parts you can not replace with Atlas is the shell and frame. Everything else is swapable.
Well, not quite. I cannot find an Atlas truck that will fit due to truck tower height. If you know of one, I would be interested as I would not mind improving the trucks.
Wow. Not sure who this is directed at. Was my suggestion to remotor the one you have way out of line? Or was it the implication that building your own C424 out of parts that don't look like a C424 might be more difficult than starting with, say, an existing good example of a C424. Sorry about that. I won't comment any further. Leave, stay, lurk... whatever. We'll all be here sharing and discussing possibilities with or without you.
