Wondering if anyone here as attempted or seen a model built to resemble one of BNSF TEBC6 various yard slugs? HO, N, or any scale, id love to see them if they are out there! Anyone ever draw up some plans for a TEBC6 and 3d print one? Ive searched the internet and could not come up with any offerings. Naturally, now I want a few of them! lol I myself am currently just starting several N scale modules which is centered around a large yard. Id like to have SD40-2's paired with TEBC6 slugs for the yard switching, while my branchline industries get switched by GP60M/B's. Since the TEBC6 is not currently produced in any scale that I am aware of, I'd love to have something unique operating on my railroad. Most of these TEBC6's appear to have originally been built as SD-9's and were later hacked and rebuilt in the 90's by BN. BNSF has apparently changed the numbers of these things 4-5 times since taking ownership of them! There have seen a few paint scheme updates in between as well. Two units even have Dynamic Brakes! There were allegedly 11 of these BNSF TEBC6's in the beginning, but it looks like only 8 of them remain in service today. I could be wrong on that, so someone correct me if im wrong. I was thinking of doing 9 TEBC6's with the following #'s and paint. All in N scale BNSF #6289, BN Green Scheme w/BNSF Patch/renumber after merger, early 2000's era - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPicture.aspx?id=53140 BNSF #253, BN Green Scheme w/BNSF Patch/renumber, late 2010's era w/1814 renumber faded patch on sides - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5423734 BNSF #52, BN Green Scheme w/BNSF Patch, modified patch to BN52, modern era 2020's - https://www.flickr.com/photos/kansasscanner/49736581666 BN #51, BNSF Heritage I Scheme, modified patch to BN51, modern era 2020's - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPicture.aspx?id=203523 BNSF #1819, BNSF Heritage I Scheme, mid-late 2000's era - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1295123 BNSF #1818, BNSF Swoosh Scheme, mid-late 2000's era - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPicture.aspx?id=106777 BNSF #60, BNSF Swoosh Scheme, mid-late 2010's - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=195308 BN #54 w/Dynamic Brake, BNSF Swoosh Scheme, modified patch to BN54, modern era 2020's - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5575599 BN #55 w/Dynamic Brake, BNSF Swoosh Scheme, modified patch to BN55, modern era 2020's - http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5289731 Why 9 of them and not just 1 or 2? Well because why not? lol If Im going to do 1, I may as well do multiple at the same time. These are going to require quite a bit of kitbashing and scratch building, and I am ultimately thinking that to finish them off, the main body is going to have to get designed in a 3D program and then printed for it to turn out right. Judging from the pictures of these things, it really does not appear that much if any of the main body was used in the rebuilding process, and more so just using the chassis. The body sides look completely different, and the doors and access panels/vents resemble nothing of an SD-7/9. Not to mention the nose is flat where as the SD-7/9 is pointed. Which is a bummer because I was hoping to just cut down SD-9 Bodies. It could work I guess if you just used the side panels and scratch built a flat nose, but wont be accurate at all and in my opinion just wont look right. So that is not a route I plan on taking. Here is what I was thinking of doing to start these off Atlas SD-7/SD-9 frames/trucks/wheels (complete undercarriage) Atlas SD-7/SD-9 Sill/walkways (modified to remove cab placement) Atlas MP15DC Cab/Headlight Atlas MP15DC Cab Base Atlas MP15DC Sill/walkway (modified to use only rear cab area, spliced into SD-9 Sill) 3D designed and printed main body (will need to create from scratch) Handrails and Stanchions scratch built using brass wire and Gold Medal Models Stanchions Just ordered a bunch of N scale parts stuff from Atlas. The MP15DC cab is the closest thing I can come up with to whats on the TEBC6's. Only difference being the TEBC6 roof is angled on either side and flat on the top, which the MP15DC is rounded for the most part. It also looks very similar to an NRE Genset cab, but there is none of these in existence in N scale either so that doesnt get me anywhere. May be more of a reason to just include it when drawing up the main body so its true to the prototype. I am really not sure I am up for the challenge of drawing up a 3d model for a locomotive right now, not because I dont think I can do it, more so because I just dont have time to do it. Which means this could be an ongoing project that takes a long time to finish. If any of you are a 3D designer and would like to take on the challenge, please let me know and we can discuss things further, Id be willing to pay someone for a good quality model of coarse!
Matt, who has a blog at https://nswrr.com/sd60macs-and-tebuc-6-done/ has done at least one. I don’t know if he’s on this forum or not.
Unless BNSF changed the mother units, only one of the TEBUC-6s had an SD40-2 as the mother, the rest were SD38-2s or SD38Ps, which were rebuilt from SD35s. I've thought about doing an SD38P/TEBUC6 set, but its low on my N scale list.
Its been too long ago to remember what all parts went into these. TEBC 6. Your right on with the SD9 sill, I used a Proto sill and polystyrene for the long hood and cut out for Cannon & Co doors, used Athearn dynamic brake hatch modified a bit and some see thru fans. I found the SW cab was too short so I had to slice it on either end and added Styrene strips to get the right length, I just went right over the round top of the cab with sheet Styrene and made tha angle roof. SW type ends with steps. Had to mill out a chunk of the frame to allow the motor a place to live. SD38P was a SD45 frame that was shortened, and a GP35 shell that was stretched with doors added, Cannon parts were used for the screens and filter hatch, exhaust stacks were modified DA parts, All hand rails were bent from brass wire, flush fitting windows from American model builders. I am always surprised at what can be done in N scale these days. You guys are sure good at it. I hope these images will help you. Here are a few pics. Thanks for looking.
One issue you may run into with an N scale model is the metal weight inside. The chassis and motor location may prevent you from adding a new shell to a stock chassis. If the motor sits to high, the mechanism will be too tall to it inside the chopped hood of the TEBC6. You may have to make an unpowered dummy model. I would suggest buying an Atlas SD9 now, even if you haven't started working on the shell. Measure the frame and make sure your 3D printed or scratchbuilt parts will fit. This is probably the biggest roadblock to an N scale model. The shell is comparatively simple, since the sub-base and walkway come from the SD9 directly. The hood is mostly plain with minimal doors and vents; the hardest part will probably be the cab, but none of that matters if it won't fit.
