In 1949 General Electric built three diesel locomotives for the White Machine Works of Whitinsville, Mass. They were used by a knitting loom and woolen-making machinery company. The 23 Ton units were made in 2 foot gauge because of the very close clearances within the factory area. At least two of these 23 Ton engines ended up at the Edaville two foot gauge museum railroad. Edaville added running boards and handrails to the 23 Ton Switchers. 1. I am building my version of this 23 Ton NG Switcher in HOn3 scale. I started with an Bachmann (HO) GE 44 Ton Switcher. After a bit of a chop job I was able to modify the Cab and Engine compartment to match the plan profile. The magazine in the background is a RMC issue from November 1974. 2. 3. The next two picture show the 23 Ton Switcher sitting on a set of HOn3 trucks and a chassis of sorts. 4.
This is a really small Radio Control Receiver and Battery System that I am going to try and use with my 23 Ton Switcher. 5. 6. 7.
I have this article in my narrow gauge scrap book. Are you going to keep this "as built" or add the later museum railings? The HOn30 folks will love to see this when finished. :thumbs_up: Boxcab E50
Very interesting, what's your idea about the driving system? I've built two 25-tons, one scratch build and one with the Grandt Line kit. Wolfgang
Like Wolfgang, I've built one of Grandt Line's 25ton kits. Mine was HOn3. I would have preferred the 23t boxcab, but the 25t is what i got. It looks like your prototype was a modified version of the 25t model to lower the axle loadings...and possibly fit the traction motors in place. Michael
Thanks to all who have taken a look and / or left a comment. 1. interesting project. Do you already have a hon3 layout? Why not hon2 or hon2.5? Geeky Answer: I am planning an HO / HOn3 layout. I am sort of new and really didn't know anything about HOn2 or HOn2.5 when I started planning my layout. I still really don't know much about those two versions of HO. I like HOn3 and I now have a lot of kits track and turnouts in that size. I also don't plan to "hand lay track or build turnouts and I can buy RTR track and turnouts in HOn3 that I am happy with. I have also bought a few hand built turnouts and will continue to buy them. 2. I have this article in my narrow gauge scrap book. Are you going to keep this "as built" or add the later museum railings? The HOn30 folks will love to see this when finished. Answer: Their are two RMC articles for this 23 Ton Switcher. The one I show in the picture is the RMC November 1974 issue but their is also another article. The other article is in the RMC from April 1983 and has more drawings and pictures. The April issue has drawings for the Running Boards and Handrails. My local HO Train Club has the April issue but I can't check it out. I am going on Sunday and will make a hand drawing of the Running Boards and the diagrams for the Handrails. Here is a internet site with a lot of pictures and a bit of history about the three 23 Ton GE Diesels. MNGRR-diesel1 3. Very interesting, what's your idea about the driving system? I've built two 25-tons, one scratch build and one with the Grandt Line kit. Wolfgang. Answer: I am still working on the drive system. I have two ideas but need to buy a few parts to test idea #2. 4. Like Wolfgang, I've built one of Grandt Line's 25ton kits. Mine was HOn3. I would have preferred the 23t boxcab, but the 25t is what i got. It looks like your prototype was a modified version of the 25t model to lower the axle loadings...and possibly fit the traction motors in place. Michael Answer: One big difference between the 23 Ton I am making and the Grandt Line 25 ton is the two truck drive (4 axle's) system on the 23 Ton and the One Truck (2 axles) on the Grandt Line 25 Ton Diesel. Three 23 Ton GE Diesel 's were built for 2 foot gauge track specifically for the Whitin Machine Works in 1949. I know about the Grandt Line models and as you say it is not the same as this one. The 25 Ton Diesel GE built for White Pass were not the same but do look a bit alike. 1 - 2 General Electric I have the HO and HOn3 versions of the Grandt Line Box Cabs. These pictures show my HO version with a very small Radio Control with batteries system installed on it. The Radio Control System I plan to use on the 23 Ton Switcher will be one like this. The Black Box is the transmitter and battery charger. "> ">
Thanks, That little Box Cab was a pain to get to run. I had to rebuild it three times to get it to work. I want to build one of Grandt Line 25 Ton (HOn3) switchers. I called Caboose to order one. The computer showed they had one but when they went to get it, it was gone. I may call Grandt Line direct this week and order one. If I call I might ask to talk to Dave. I would like to see them go to a modern - small can motor. The older motor is a "juice hog". My small battery only has 4.1 volts at full charge. The small RC Receiver can only take 4.5 volts so I can't use a higher voltage battery without the risk of frying the receiver.
With a two truck engine you have a far better current pick up than with the 25-ton. I've used for my 25-ton the BullAnt too. Similar to my scratch built 25-ton. Wolfgang
