I would be thrilled if someone came out with a kit to convert the stewart C630 to the Canadian C630M! I have a kit now to convert the trucks to the Dofasco type but it looks like it’s going to be tough to put together. What we Canadian modelers really need is someone to make a set of trucks thar simply snap into the Stewart mechanism and maybe use the original gears and wheels. Is anyone interested?
Ive got 2 on the works.
David B
huh! i never knew Stewart made a C-630! having one of those would be cool. are you sure it was a C-630? every other site i go to shows it as a C-628. very close indeed. which one is it though? CPRail had 8 C-630 type locomotives built in 1968, with the M-630 built in 1969-1970. they are PERFECT for my time period! as for the C630M, no idea which railroad it belonged to. CN probably?
canadian modelers RULE!!!
Yup…the Stewart c-630 is a great starting place for a CPR C630M. There are many adjustments to be made, but in the end it makes a great model.
David B
As an alternative there is the Tiger Valley Models’ white metal M-630 that’ll out pull 5 of those puny Stewart units![;)]
okay… i checked out the stewart website and i WANT that unit so badly. does anyone know of an online supplier that has and undecorated low nose unit? discount prefered.
is there any conversion needed just in case the canadian version was different?
I’m sure that the Tiger Valley model is a great puller but the detailing especially around the cab is no match for the Stewart model. Also it’s a lot easier to modify a plastic shell than a cast metal one. Maybe I could mount the Tiger Valley trucks on the Stewart mechanism? The Dofasco trucks are the most noticable part of the CN and CP units.Also both the CN and CP units are C630Ms. The “M” on the end denotes that they were a modified version built by MLW. As far as the Tiger Valley trucks, this would probably be difficult as well, as it is impossible in my area to obtain anything from this company! I have requested information via their website numerous times but have yet to get a response. If anyone has built models of these brutes before"specifically CN" any information would be very much appreciated!
You have to kitbash to make one…involves cutting, brass shaping, drilling, truck modding…
David B
uhh…
i hope you’re joking because i don’t think i have the tools or time to do that. if i do have time, what tools would i need? how much would the kitbash cost? what the heck is truck modding? what does-POW! ssssssssssss… (fire alarm goes off) “OMG, his brain exploded!” (smoke billows out ears while eyes roll back) (smoke turns a black colour)
kinda like what happens to some old GE units with their stack fires[(-D]
I’m with you! I mean it isn’t totally beyond my abilities"I hope" but I’m just worried that I’ll start with a very smooth running and very expensive locomotive and end up with something that is disappointing in looks and performance. The conversion kit I have now includes Resin sideframes which look fairly good but requires alot of cutting and fitting to the original Stewart trucks. I bought this unopened kit at a recent train show from someone who apparently had second thoughts as well! If anyone is interested it was made by Protype Model Industries the website is http://pmimodels.netfirms.com
An Australian importer produces models of Australian Alco locomotives which had trucks of the same type as the C630M, M630 and M636.
Unfortunately the models are currently sold out, but might be obtained from some Australian retailers and the importer might still have some trucks available as spares.
http://homepage.idx.com.au/austrain/Archives.htm
The locomotives with MLW/Dofasco trucks are those described as “80 class” and “442/700 classes”.
The truck frames were not brilliantly detailed, but they have exactly the correct shape and dimensions for the domestic Canadian MLW/Dofasco design.
M636C
(we had M636 locomotives with Alco Hi-Ad trucks in place of the MLW/Dofasco design in Australia, which we called M636C, reversing the “C630M” description)
The best way to contact Guil, (Guilford Mack, owner & producer), is to phone him at the number listed on the site after 6pm EST or use snailmail and ask for product list, (I don’t think he’s too hip about the email thing). His primary job is running his farm. He’s an oldtimer and a hoot to talk to and really knows his stuff.
One wouldn’t be able to swap out the trucks with the Stewart, (TVM drives are like the Hobbytowns), but one could order the sideframes and rig a way to mount them.
(If anyone’s interested, I still have a few resin lownose D&H RS-3m and CP RS-18 conversion kits available).
Here are a couple of shots of my CN C630’s. These are Stewart models with Prototype Model Industries Dofasco trucks.
Nice work - I have one of the PMI truck kits to turn a Stewart model into an ex-CN unit, but haven’t started yet.
I’ve also got a set of the later disposable-filter aftercooler intakes from Jay’s Train Parts. Tiger Valley makes that component too, and he sells parts separately at very reasonable prices. Between Tiger Valley, Jay and a few other sources, there isn’t much you can’t get to build an accurate C630M.
Looks good.
David B
Those do look good! I guess it’s time to start looking for a Stewart engine on Ebay so I can finally get this project going. I think it’s time for a break from all the GM widecabs!
my questions from that post up above weren’t answered so here they are…
1)what tools will i need for the C630 modification?
2)how much will it cost to do the kitbash?
3)is there a difference between the C630 and the M630?
4)what is truck modding?
5)David B, are you serious about the kitbashing?
okay… that sums it up.
First of all, a proper CPR model of a big alco is NOT available as a buy it now option (unless you buy brass $$$$$).
Second, yes, it does take work to make a good model of the CPR Big Alco, no way around it.
Here is what has to be done to the Stewart for it to be close…
-
Rear of long hood. CPR had a unique rear end, It had a nice curve to it and didnt have the Alco notches for the sand hatches. Only one option here…bending brass or molding sytrene as the Minatures by Eric end piece is way too wide.
-
Front and rear pilot. The pilots are available from Minature by Eric, and require work to make them look right and to work well.
-
Cab. The light notch on the cab is wrong for CP. It has to be filled in with styrene.
-
Moving of lights. The the front light has to be moved to the short hood and the rear light has to be made.
-
Ditchlights. These are avalable from Minatures by Eric.
-
MU hoses.
-
Handrails have modifications.
-
Lift rings and grabirons have to be made as they arnt included with the Stewart hobbies kit.
-
Fuel tank. The CPR had a unit-unique fuel tank. They were different from loco to loco. This has to be scratch built.
-
The Trucks. The CPR and the CNR used Dofasco trucks on the Big Alcos. There are a few ways of doing this, but PMI offers a conversion kit for the Stewart hobbies. It is a straight forward kit, but again requires cutting.
-
Painting. The Big Alcos and the Multimark…a match NOT made in heaven. Forget it if you are going to use a decal, you just cant get one that is a) the right size, or b) will actually mold around the radiator grills.
Thats about it. If you can handle these few issues, then you should be fine.
Remember that a finished model will require broad curves. These are long locomotives.
[quote user=“davidmbedard”]
First of all, a proper CPR model of a big alco is NOT available as a buy it now option (unless you buy brass $$$$$).
Second, yes, it does take work to make a good model of the CPR Big Alco, no way around it.
Here is what has to be done to the Stewart for it to be close…
-
Rear of long hood. CPR had a unique rear end, It had a nice curve to it and didnt have the Alco notches for the sand hatches. Only one option here…bending brass or molding sytrene as the Minatures by Eric end piece is way too wide.
-
Front and rear pilot. The pilots are available from Minature by Eric, and require work to make them look right and to work well.
-
Cab. The light notch on the cab is wrong for CP. It has to be filled in with styrene.
-
Moving of lights. The the front light has to be moved to the short hood and the rear light has to be made.
-
Ditchlights. These are avalable from Minatures by Eric.
-
MU hoses.
-
Handrails have modifications.
-
Lift rings and grabirons have to be made as they arnt included with the Stewart hobbies kit.
-
Fuel tank. The CPR had a unit-unique fuel tank. They were different from loco to loco. This has to be scratch built.
-
The Trucks. The CPR and the CNR used Dofasco trucks on the Big Alcos. There are a few ways of doing this, but PMI offers a conversion kit for the Stewart hobbies. It is a straight forward kit, but again requires cutting.
-
Painting. The Big Alcos and the Multimark…a match NOT made in heaven. Forget it if you are going to use a decal, you just cant get one that is a) the right size, or b) will actually mold around the radiator grills.
Thats about it. If you can handle these few issues, then you should be fine.
Remember that a finished model will require broad curves. These are
I’m a little nervous about this to but I model CN in the Maritimes circa 1990-95 and I have to have some large MLW units to go with the rest of my roster. I was becoming a teenager at this time and couldn’t help but fall in love with all the smoking ALCOs that kept running through my town. I’ve also given some thought to making some RSC14s from Walthers RSC2s.