BLW AS-616's In the photo of the Trona AS-616's the lead unit is a later model. It has the tri-mount trucks & higher hood. The O&NW had one newer model the others came second hand. Two from Espee.
hmm... caught my eye too I know I've got more shots of this one. I must not have scanned them yet. The white paint really helps show off the louvers and other body details. I'm not ready to tackle a scratch build myself but if a casting were made I'd be interested.
Hi Guys The July 1975 Model Railroader also has an AS-616 article. It's an HO scale kitbash using 2 Athearn S-12 shells. The author made his own frame and the overall completed model is visually close, but has a few issues (don't we all)! Applying the theory to N-scale, a similar likeness could be achieved by using 2 Atlas VO shells and the plans and cut diagram from the MR article. Not perfect, but very do-able. For the chassis, I already have one of the original Kato fly wheel drive RS-1's. This chassis readily accepts the old Atlas/Kato RSD trucks, which look just great with a certain list members Commonwealth sideframes. I've had the chassis lined up for a few years, as the RS-1 was a little longer than the old Atlas RS/RSD frame, but the new classic version is probably about right. Food for thought anyway. Cheers Steve Modelling NJ in NZ
This is a project that I have been wanting (and planning) to do for a long time (but I also know that as soon as I do it, Atlas will come out with one). I was also planning on kitbashing VO-1000 shells for the body, the RSD 4/5 chassis and mech, but had no solutions for the truck frames. How can I get a set of frames? I'll post some of the info I have gathered later today. In the mean time, go to the Atlas site and politic for them to do the loco. They have a mech (RSD 4/5). They only need to do the shell and truck frames.
This is a project that I have been wanting (and planning) to do for a long time (but I also know that as soon as I do it, Atlas will come out with one). I was also planning on kitbashing VO-1000 shells for the body, the RSD 4/5 chassis and mech, but had no solutions for the truck frames. How can I get a set of frames? I'll post some of the info I have gathered later today. In the mean time, go to the Atlas site and politic for them to do the loco. They have a mech (RSD 4/5). They only need to do the shell and truck frames.
side frames I was also planning on kitbashing VO-1000 shells for the body, the RSD 4/5 chassis and mech, but had no solutions for the truck frames. How can I get a set of frames? Look back in this thread. I got a set off of ebay from that fine fella. He has extras.
After doing some research, it looks like the VO-1000 shell would work without too much difficulty. The 15 vent square shell have the doors and louvers needed. Either scratch the cab or join two of the VO-1000s. The air intakes would have to be scratched, as would the class lights/number boards but they are quite straight forward. If I can get a set of the truck side frames, I'm crazy enough to actually try this. I'll try to post updates.
Check your mail everybody, I've got a few sideframes left. But I still have the master and the molds, I can always make more if people want them.
I've seen this situation before... someone uses all the resources they have to make an awesome kitbash project like this, which it really is, BTW!...and once it's finished and the builder admires his masterpiece, someone offers it ready-to-run the next day. Maybe now there is hope for me to get a pair of RTR as-616's in SP tiger stripe paint now! (knock on wood). I'm just about to start building an SP T-31 4-6-0 in n scale, so maybe someone else will release those ready-to-run and fill a huge gap in n scale steam, too! Excellent work!
"...and once it's finished and the builder admires his masterpiece, someone offers it ready-to-run the next day." Really, now... so where the **** are all the EMD SW1500s?
That same thing happened to me when I wanted some MILW log cars. I spent several years browsing swap meets for old Aurora 40ft fishbelly flatcars. Once I had my fleet fairly well built up, about 10 of them to be exact, I started building my fleet. Well what would you know, just about the time I painted them, Walthers announced the first run.
