N Scale Little Joe - In Plastic

Can someone try to see if a Kato F-unit mech's trucks can swap with say, sd90MAC trucks? We need the large wheel diameter, and this is the largest available without going to a steam loco wheel. I still donno what the axle spacing is, and whether it's comparable to what an EF-4 is. The heavy F-unit mech is short, but its wheels are too small (as are all diesels)

 

Good call, I hadn't even thought about the SD80/90 - I just figured we'd be stuck with the smaller wheels but that beast should have "good enough" stand-ins. I have neither SD80 or 90, nor a Kato F unit to check. Anybody reading this thread have either or both models and a ruler? I'd be really interested to know the measurements between the axles to see how that could fit.

-Mike

 

The O/B scheme sure looks as good today, as it did thirty and more years ago.

 

Here is a little something which might add to the general knowledge base about Little Joes. On my web site:

http://www.train-orders.com/MILW/EMS/EMS.html

 

Nice! I hadn't seen that version of the spec sheet before with legible writing. TB member Trainsareus was kind enough to measure his SD80's trucks. I was hopeful that the axle spacing was spread a little further out due to the larger wheels but they measure the same as my SD45 and SD35. Looking at some pictures of those trucks gave me an idea though. Here's what we're dealing with out of the box, part [SIZE=-1]929221[/SIZE]:

If you pop the side frames off and remove the wheels/axles, split the truck in half I imagine it would look "something" like this:


If I can get accurate measurements, I could design new trucks for Shapeways printing with room for a fourth axle:


And... this wouldn't need to be printed using the expensive/high detail "FUD" material since it's concealed behind the frame. I'll have to think on this. Meanwhile I have two shells of "draft 1" in hand (less trucks while I'm still figuring that out) They don't photograph well in the natural FUD color but I'll try to get some pics posted in the next few days.

-Mike

 

The South Shore ones wouldn't be that much different. The main differences that I could spot are roof line details mostly (and of course South Shore didn't blank out their "B" cabs). The pantographs on the South Shores were set closer to the roof - actually the "stock" configuration. MILW had higher centenary lines so theirs were mounted accordingly - the MILW pantographs may have actually been a little larger, too, but I can't confirm that.

When the details get locked in I'll throw a version up that would be suitable for South Shore and even the Brazilian models.

-Mike

 

No. The drive wheel size is much different. Also, a Little Joe is just a few inches shy of twenty feet longer than a GG1.

 

Actually the Joes were 2-D+D-2.

Yes. Note how the pilot is pushed outward, forward of the body shell.

 

Quick update - been keeping busy with the holidays and I've been nit-picking this model to no end (almost.) After rebuilding it about three times over the last couple weeks I'm finally satisfied with it.

I've added a plow to go with this MILW version and also updated the pilot contour to better reflect what was actually on the road:

As you can see, I also designed the model with "pre-drilled" holes for grabs. You're going to want to make your own on this one, the model will include the rails and steps - but just know they are so fragile they will likely break off. The roof will have mounts spaced to couple with a Kato GG1 pantograph:


Finally -here's a shot of my two first draft shells. As I mentioned in an earlier post the FUD material is really difficult to photograph, sorry about that. I've tweaked the contrast to help a little. One unit has the roof parts with the GG1 pantographs:


My plan now is to get the current design ordered and printed so I can give it a physical check-up. If everything looks good there I'll throw it up for you guys to order - then I'll start work on the variations (which should be pretty simple at this stage)

[late] Merry Christmas! -Mike

 

I received a really nice photo of a Little Joe, as a Christmas present from a just returned MILW employee friend. E72 with a heater car (tender) on Number 15 at Alberton, in black and white. Nice! Am looking at my hobby room walls for the right place to prominently display this jewel.