I stumbled on some images of double ended F locomtives used in Victoria. I think they’re really pretty cool. Has anyone built one? I have plenty of HO F shells and might want to give it a try. I just haven’t figured out a way to get a nice clean shell to model one like this. Splicing two shells halves together would probably look silly. Just brainstorming feasibility.
I have seen them in brass. That would be a monumental build. You would need trucks and a frame too. Liking the oversized portholes.
Pete.
not a direct answer but a GP7 is the roughly the same legnth and I put an F cab on one replacing the short hood and cab.
Do you have a picture of that? I’d like to see it.
Those double end locos in the OP’s pictures have 6 axles, possibly a double end E unit?
Dan
I did one in the mid 1970’s using the Globe/Athearn all plastic dummy units. I had cut the rear end doors off to use on Hobbytown Alco FA units and spliced two of the F7 shells into a double ended unit. I kept the Blomberg 4 wheel trucks and the standard fuel tank.
I’d use E8/E9 shells and change out the sideframes for Flexicoils. These are Victorian B60, one of the best Australian locomotives over the years.
The successor class is notable for having the angular carbody of a typical EMD cowl unit with the E-unit-style bulldog nose. That was what the proper follow-on to the E9 should have been…
I picked up one of the Auscision models of one of these while in Sydney a few weeks ago. As I was told these locos were basically an SD7 with the double-ended F-unit bodies. Casula Hobbies had 2 of these locos when I was there, both were DCC but no sound.
Thanks for the replies. I’ve ruled out trying to piece together shell parts. I think I’ll search for an Auscision B61 in Bernie Baker livery. Do Auscision models ever make it over to the US. They sure look nice.
Years ago I made a Athearn GP 35 and a F unit combo the nose was the F unit
It used a SD truck on the rear and standard GP truck on the front
Anyone I showed it to laughed said never happen well it did on my rr
It runs just as well as any of the hundred or so other engines I have
Casula Hobbies (Sydney) only had the Vic Teacup scheme locomotive (B83) left after my visit. None of the other hobby shops in the Sydney area had any of these locos available when we were there at the end of January. The exchange rate favors the US dollar right now, and I know they will ship to the states. Not the paint scheme you want, but it may be your best option. Shoot them an email and see what you can do. I spent some time chatting with the owner and he is a great guy. Good luck!
Thank you!
I suspect you could start with a Rapido EF-3 electric locomotive like the New Haven used to run. These models have F-unit cabs at either end and six axles each. You would probably want to remove the pantographs and some other roof details, and maybe either replace the roof with another F-unit roof or get some detail parts and scratch it. But that’s easier than trying to splice two whole bodies together. I think Rapido still makes these, so they’re not going to be cheap, but you only need one of these and the engine will work when you get and will have DCC. Something to consider.
Locomotives very similar to the two-ended “F-type” Victorian Railway B unit were also produced in Europe by NOHAB in Sweden and mainly sold to the Danish, Norwegian and Hungarian State Railways (DSB, NSB, MAV). They appear to have a lower nose and larger windscreens than F units, but are otherwise very similar. Several of them are still in use today (although none by the original owner).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euswRJJ1MgM&ab_channel=HD1080ide
HO models produced by Roco several years ago seem to be largely sold out. However, PIKO announced models a year ago, and they should now be in production. There are several US importers of PIKO models.
Fun fact on the NOHABs - Two have been painted up in American roadnames.
I think Baldwin was the only American builder who made “streamlined” dual cab diesels. There were about a half dozen for CNJ commuter service.
Here is some lovely video recording of a NOHAB unit still in service in Germany. At the time of the video (2022), the locomotive and the EMD 567 prime mover were 57 years old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb2I78wadJc&ab_channel=OHEFilmerJens
It is laudable that the current owner (AltmarkRail) is aware of the history of these engines. The pictures on both sides of the body show that it had been one of the Norwegian NOHABs.
Didn’t see an “F”, so how do they know which end the front is?
Old Engineman (above) posts the e-ad for the models made by Auscision. About a third of the way down on this spread is a nice line drawing/profile of the loco. It indicates that the “A” end is the one with the battery box immediately behind the (leading) truck. I’d capture and post it here if I had have my wits about me to handle the process. [:S] Perhaps someone more savvy with attachments will do so. (It appears that the drawing can be isolated from the ad)
John (of Attu)
Thanks. I guess they couldn’t make it easier by making the Battery end the “B” end, could they? I think I like the “F” method.
