I am looking into doing about 2 or 3 Milwaukee Road MP15AC's in N Scale since none are available in plastic,an wondered about using the Atlas MP15DC as a starting point since it would probably be too difficult to do one scale length.Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
How much shorter is the MP15DC than the MP15AC? Thanks. I don't think I have seen an N scale MP15AC, kitbashed or otherwise. In fact, I don't think I have seen an H0 scale MP15AC. Welcome to TrainBoard.
So Steve, what scale do you model this week? You've been to just about every N scale forum and Yahoo group as an N scaler and when no produces a solution for an MP15AC you denounce N scale and say your sticking with HO. I have nothing personal against you. You seem like a really nice guy, and I too would love a Milwaukee Road MP15AC, but it's getting really old. Just over two weeks ago.. And that was after at least four times in the last couple months of changing your mind. Pick a scale (privately) and everyone will do what they can to help you out. Jason
Jason - Get a grip, take it easy, if your life is so rocked by steve's indecisiveness go back to one of those other fourms, attitudes are checked at the baggage car here. Brad C
The July 1996 Railroad Model Craftsman did a comparison of the MP15AC and MP15DC complete with drawings in HO scale. Here are the basic dimensions: MP15DC Truck centers: 24' 2" Center of truck to outer pilot face: 9' 8" pilot front to coupler pulling face: 2' 1" complete length to coupler pulling faces: 47' 8" MP15AC Truck centers: 24' 8" Center of truck to outer pilot face:10' 8" pilot front to coupler pulling face: 19" complete length to coupler pulling faces: 49' 2" So you can see that the truck centers are just 6" off. That's pretty small in N Scale. Remove the radiator fan grill from the front of the MP15DC. Add the tunnel motor grill on each side and you're halfway there. I don't know about N Scale but etched brass tunnel motor grills are available in HO. You just need one half of the tunnel motor grill from each side to come close. The front of the MP15AC has an anticlimber. There are some door arrangement differences also. Most of the extra length comes from the length in the straight section between the cab and the square air filter. You would have to get the version with the square air filter like the Atlas CNW, Conrail, CSX and UPY MP15DC units.
I have spoke to Jeff King about doing an MP15AC and he is going to speak with Jeff Briggs and it looks like there may be a good chance that he will be able to do these along with the SDL 39 project,this would be good news to all of us that model these engines. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
It will probably be like the SDL 39 100 units made so orders would add up to 100.More would probably be done if there are more than 100 orders. I will let you know when i find out more from Jeff King. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
I spoke with Jeff King of Milwaukee Road Train Shop,and there are two option to go with the MP15AC.Option one would cost $250.00 since it would be scale length,with a new power chassis and drive,new shell and new handrails,option two would use the Atlas MP15DC and an MP15AC conversion kit would be made for $50.00.I would pay $250.00 for a scale length MP15AC,but I could live with option two also.Either option would require a 100 engine order to break even on the project,with a 10 order minimum on either option to get the project going.Contact me off line and let me know if you are interested in an MP15AC and I will pass it on to Jeff King.Maybe this will get a manufacturer to produce this model.Thanks,Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
The project is going go ahead with projection using option two,a conversion kit using the Atlas MP15DC.The conversion kit will be an MP15AC shell slightly shorter than scale length. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
The orders are coming in up to about 20 so far. Keep them coming it's a good start so far for the first day,hopefully the manufacturers will look at this and come out with a scale length MP15AC.At least now we will have some thing close. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
Nice work Steve!! If I was still in N, I would want a couple of these on my Milwaukee road!:teeth: This and the SDL-39! Build 'em and they will come!
Kurt,20 orders the first day you got to think that will increase as more people learn about the conversion kits for the MP15AC and the SDL 39.You got to think that this should catch the manufacturers eye and they do a scale MP15AC in N Scale,The SDL 39 is going to be scale length. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Diviision
MP15ACs are 50' 2", MP15DCs are 48' 8", both also have the standard 25" pilot to coupler face distance.
There are over 20 orders now getting close to 30 bow,thee will be fliers in hobby stores promoting the MP15AC conversion kit,I think there will end up being over 100 orders. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Diviison
My figures are straight out of the magazine drawings. For both overall length and pilot to coupler face distance.
Those figures guys are right on the money,I use to have that issue,also 1981 Rail Craftsman had drawings and an HO Scale kit bash project by Eric Brooman on building an MP15AC using an Athearn GP35 shell and power chassis and a SW7 shell.The point is at we will have some thing that is close to an MP15AC only 1/32" off,at least it will be better than no MP15AC's at all.Hopefully one day we will have a scale length MP15AC in N scale like the one Athearn Genesis has in HO Scale.I am looking forward to these MP15AC conversion kits and I think they will go over really big,I can see your point too all of you that feel there should be an MP15AC scale length in N Scale.SO I hope there is soon or later more sooner than later,they are long over due,till then these kits will fit the bill just fine and look great. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
From what I can find, they are. I also double checked the BNSF Equiptment Characteristics (from the BNSF website) Equipment characteristics of SOO 1548: AAR car type D112 (locomotive), plate type B, external dimensions (length 49' 2", width 10' 7"). -Dee
keep those orders coming,pm me if you want one of these MP15AC conversion kits and I will pass it along to Jeff King.let's make this project succeed. Cost will be $75.00. Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
I have not seen very many engines produced that are 100% correct,You will never please every one no matter what.The MP15AC conversion kits are going to be terrific and I am thankful Jeff King and Jeff Briggs are doing these.95% correct is fine with me,I am sure once you see these you will agree that these are going to sell themselves.Let's help these guys and have some more orders to make this project a success.Steve Church Milwaukee Road Iowa Division
