Box Cab Electric

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am looking for a box cab electric loco, maybe an Ep-1. They where made by General Electric. Model Roundhouse had a diesel one a little while ago that could easily be converted but I dont see their ads anymore.

I grew up seeing these locos everyday hauling copper from the mines and would love to have some of them on my HO layout.

Thanks,

John

2

Have you checked eBay for the MDC kit?

Bob Boudreau

3

So far there haven’t been any U. S. prototype box cab electrics produced in plastic.

Milwaukee box cabs have been done in brass by Suydam, Nickle Plate Products and Overland.

The Nickle Plate Products models appear to have been based on the Harlowton switcher, No E57B, which has been preserved at Harlowton, Montana.

4

Now that I think of it, Suydam also imported a brass model of a BA&P box cab electric. But that was back in about 1957, and they’re rare as hen’s teeth now. The MDC diesel conversion idea is probably the best way to go to get one or more of these.

5

Thanks for the info fiverings! There is one of them preserved here intown, I think it was manufactured by GE in 1913.

John

6

I havent checked eBay yet although it is a good idea FundyNorthern.

Thanks
John

7

Actually, I have a project in mind and I just about have all the parts for it. I’m using that little Box Cab that Roundhouse puts out, and plan to cut up two of them for the sides and ends and come up with something simular to what NYC used, give or take, and if you stop and think about it, many of these big engines were built right in the RR’s own shops, so I’m hoping it will turnout good and I can build a few more copies.

8

emeraldisle
Sounds like an interesting project I am not familiar with the prototype that you would be modeling but would like to see pics of your completed ones. Where did you find the MDC kits?

John

9

Check the magazine index, BA&P. I recall MR (perhaps RMC too?) has had at least one and maybe several articles on kitbashing the MDC boxcab into various other forms of this type of locomotive. The articles probably date from the 1970’s or early 80’s.

CNJ831

10

They’ve been around for years, checkout the Walthers Catalog, the should be there. When I get the first one done, I’ll post the pics, still trying to work out the running gear.

11

Along the same lines, but as a heavier loco, there was an article in the 80’s in either MR or RMC (I think RMC, October 1982) on someone (Bob Hegge maybe?) using and MDC boxcab body over a GG-1 mechanism with the leading and trailing trucks cut off. This made a nice C-C boxcab electric. I think that it was the RMC kitbashing award for that month, but I am not real sure. I can look at this issue later and give you more information if you would like, just let me know. The loco looked vaguely like the NYC P2-a electrics, despite not having porches and lead trucks. Seems I have a thing for wanting to 'bash a GG-1, or at least watching someone else do it!

I was right about the magazine (RMC, October 1982, pg. 90) and the author, but wrong about the body. The author used an MDC Harriman baggage car and a Walther’s wooden roof with a Pemco GG-1 chassis. After adding the other reply, I had to go get the magazine and re-read the article. It still makes a very good looking electric!

12

When thinking about big boxcab electrics of the World War I era, don’t forget to take a look at that part of the Walthers catalog that most of us skip right over – and that is the foreign prototype trains. There is probably more of a family resemblance in boxcab electrics than any other form of locomotive and you might find something European (or Japanese) that can be modified to look American.
I advise finding an old Locomotive Cyclopedia from the 1910 - 1930 era for some good photos of early electrics. I think you’ll really see how much like European trains many of them looked.
Dave Nelson

13

I don’t know the production status of the MDC boxcab kit, but check with Athearn. They bought MDC.

14

And if you’re seeking the power chassis for the out of production MDC box cab and can’t locate one - look at MDC’s rather goofy “Climax” (that really doesn’t resemble anything prototypical - esp a Climax). It used the same power chassis, including the trucks and sideframes, as the Box Cab - There are several of the “Climax” kits on eBay right now for next to nothing.
BILL

15

Just for grins, take a look at eBay auction # 5955857514. It’s for one of the old Suydam BA&P box cabs. Looks to be in mint condition, and the collectors have bid it up over $200 in the first few hours. The photos will give you a good look at the model, and the price will want to make you to do some kitbashing.

16

Ahh, the few, the proud, the electric modelers! Every time someone says “Why buy brass, every locomotive ever made is available in plastic” I break out my electric “want list”…

I’ve got one of those MDC kits–my only concern is the open-frame motor. I kind of want to find a suitable upgrade kit and replace it with a can motor–since I’m starting from scratch on an unbuilt kit I figure I can start out right.

17

Railroad Model Craftsman ran a series on scratch building a BA&P Motor in ther Apr., May, June, and July 1948 issues. The Sept. 1951 issue had an article for a better power mechanism. One was displayed at a MILW convention a few years ago.

18

http://www.csclw.com.br/fazemos_locomotivas.htm

I just discovered this stuff and the electics are clearly american prototype.
If they could be available in the US somehow…

19

Thanks for that url,the series 400 boxcab looks just like the L&PS boxcab that i was trying to bash from my MDC kit.Has anyone tried to use the MDC critter drive to replace that museum piece that MDC has used as a motor on this kit?

20

hi,

check this manufacturer also:

http://www.frateschi.com.br/produtos/v8.php

they do some Brazilian ones but they are based on US prototypes.The topics had been raised some times ago about the sparky’s.

regards,

nick