Penn Central FL9 Complete

Still have a few detail parts in the mail that i need to add but for the most part, she's complete. Pretty pleased with the end result despite having some struggles along the way. Overall I'd call it a successful first 3 print project.

 

Looks amazing! How did you modify the actual motor/gears?

 

Thanks for the compliment! Both the GP18 and PA use the same gearing ratio. I was able to use the motor, flywheels and rear of the PA chassis. The GP18 was cut to size and glued to the PA mech. I shortened the spring from the drive in the GP18 and used that as the front drive shaft. The rear drive utilizes the original PA parts. I superglued some small blocks of styrene inside the shell, drill and tapped several 00-90 holes in the chassis into the blocks of styrene to create a solid attachment. It's very smooth running. I used all Tru-Color paints and Highball Graphics for the decals. My second shell has been ordered and I've gathered the parts to make a couple more. One GP18 and two PA mechs will make two chassis.

 

Very nice model , thanks for sharing

 

Very unique looking engine !! Great Job !!

Randy

 

Thanks guys. I have several pictures of myself as a kid standing in front of these engines at the Poughkeepsie NY train station. My cousin and I are standing in front of No. 5041, hence the numbering on this model.

 

Beautiful work, JimmyZ. I would suggest that you look into the possibilities of a more accurate sideframe for the 3-axle rear truck. That would really set your model off.

 

I would look at the Fairbanks Morse FM C-Liner the B-A-1-A chassis,I think that the FM's 5 axle unit would pose a more suitable EMD FL9 chassis. Back in the early to late 1990's I built two FL9's for a friend using a pair of ATLAS / RIVAROSSI chassis and three BACHMANN F9A's, I have no I do not know if he still has them or not.

Tom

 

Thanks guys. I realize that it's not 100% accurate but it was the first attempt. I thought of using the old Atlas C-Liner chassis but that mechanism is really inferior to the bash of the 2 Life-Like frames. I'm looking to create a couple more and would definitely like to make the trucks more accurate. I'm thinking the SD7/9 truck might be a better fit but I'm not sure about the gearing yet. Either way, I appreciate all the comments.

 

Here's a photo of one of the FM chassis I used for the FL9 project, I built for my friend.


Tom

 

Thanks Tom. I have a couple of those old C-Liners. They don't see much track time because I'm not crazy about the way they perform but they do look more accurate.

 

Very nice. Another option, since you are skilled enough to design the #D body, is to create accurate 3D models of the truck frames. You can use digital calipers to get the inside measurements of the current truck frames. Then you don't have to worry about finding more accurate trucks with the same gear ratio to swap in.

 

I can't take credit for the design. The shell was designed by someone else but it would be great to have some printed side frames to fit. Sans the printed frames, I think I can make a fairly accurate representation on my next attempt using some styrene and parts from some spare trucks. Now i just need a break from the 12 hour work days!

 

Interesting thought on using the plastic frame PA and GP-18. Both are good running locomotives and good pullers. It raises two questions.

1. I wonder if the plastic frame FA and the PA have the same gear ratio.
2. If the FA and PA do not have the same gear ratio, I wonder if you could swap the truck frames from the FA to the GP-18. On the FA, the truck frames will separate from the truck assembly. If the truck frames on the GP-18 separate in a similar fashion, it would not be difficult to put the ALCo frames onto the GP trucks. If they are not an exact fit, a little surgery could accomplish the task.

I have plastic frame PAs and more than a few plastic frame FA chassis. I also have a few of the Atlas/Rivarossi FM shells. I have a basket case plastic frame GP-18 somewhere. The purpose of these inquiries would be the construction of the B/A-1-A chassis for the FM C-Liner.

Good job on the FL-9A.

 

Not sure about the FA. The only FA's I have are the newer style. I might have to see if I can score an older version for a decent price.

 

Nice work, looks good the me!

 

Here's my answer to the EMD FL9 in as a freight and as an ECO version.. I apologize if photo's are upside down, If you cannot view or rotate them they can be seen her at https://www.flickr.com/photos/77287482@N03/

Tom


< Frieght < ECO <BOTTOM < ROOF -Aka Long Hood.-

 

Very creative!