see google images
I agree with the idea it’s a home-made or kit bash of no particular prototype. It’s not like any Davenport switcher I’ve ever seen. Just about all the engines they produced had side-rod coupled drivers.
From Davenport…
I’m not too sure who made it because it appears to be modified, but it was originally a Davenport switcher model.
Apparently F & C (Funaro Camerlengo) at one time made a HO narrow Gauge resin kit of a Plymouth Switcher. I’m wondering if someone, the former owner perhaps, modified one to standard gauge. here’s a link to one for sale on Ebay. It IS similar, but there are a number of differences.
Carl
That looks very much like a Plymouth switcher. I had one similar when I was a kid, around the time one of my O Scale trains set fire to the carpet.
I think I can safely say that that’s definitely a modified Athearn Hustler switcher. The original owner cut the hood down by about 1/3rd, and did an excellent job of filling in the gaps and cleaning it up! The headlight, exhaust stack, and bell are all steam engine parts, and the drive is the original NWSL “Flea”, but the rest is 100% Athearn. Those 6 holes in the bottom of the frame are where the motor and idler pulleys (for the famous rubber-band drive) were once mounted.
If you scroll about half-way down this page, you can see a small gallery of my own modified Athearn Hustler. Comparing the two, you’ll notice the cab, chassis, walkway, pilots, and many other parts are identicle. These are fun to work on, and you’ve really picked up a nice piece of good modeling work there![:D]
And here is a good link to a modified hustler for comparison. If nothing else this makes me want to mod some myself.
http://misterbobsmodelworksemporium.blogspot.com/2008/04/athearn-hustler.html
Good Morning and many thanks to all whom offered insight & opinions on this little switcher. I bought the huge estate lot that it came from knowing the lot was about a 50-50 mix of things I could use & things that I would likely offer up for re-sale on ebay.
While this little cutie technically falls into the latter category because it doesn’t fit my layout theme & timeline, I’ve fallen in love with the little guy & just can’t bring myself to part with it. I have 8 locos right now, 5 of which, including this little switcher, will remain in my fleet. I’ll figure out some way of incorporating it into the layout.
Once again, thanks to all.
Carl
I have to agree that it’s a Athearn Hustler frame and cab with a cut-down hood. Looks like he cleaned up the roof of the hood, getting rid of the EMD-style fan and exhaust stacks. Pretty good job. I’d just repaint and letter it for an industry. The Flea drive in the Athearn chassis is not a bad idea but I would change out the plastic wheel and add some pickups, with that two-wheel drive and pickup one bad spot on the track and it would stop dead in its tracks.