Anyone have a good website for getting pictures of the SP AC-9 steam locos? These were the semi-streamlined, coal fired, turned around cab-forwards the SP had. I have the Mainline Modeler issue with the drawings in it, but I have only found 2 pictures online to help research these locos. I’m planning on converting the Rivarossi cab-forward I picked up without a tender into an AC-9, or at least something close, but I would really like more prototype photos. Any other assistance would be greatly appreciated, as I can’t believe I’m the only person to try this. Thanks!
Morpar: Check this website for one more Photo: http://espee.railfan.net/sp_steam_ac-09.html That’s if it’s not one of the pictures you already have.
Also the Book “Steam’s Finest Hour” (by David P Morgan, Kalmbach publishing copyright 1959) has a large clear picture of the AC-9. along with the spec’s. I checked this book out in a library in the early '80s. Don’t know where you’d find it now, maybe post another thread, or contact Kalmbach. A Google search under the name of the title turned one up for $65.00. A lot to pay for one picture, unless you enjoy a broad range of steam from many roads, tons of great, clear pictures and spec’s. ( weight, driver size, boiler pressure etc, but not drawings)
Even though the Cab Forwards were SP’s trademark articulated, I think the AC-9s were better looking, just more proportional. I’m sure many would disagree, but that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it! If you didn’t know this already, the “9s” were originally intended to run on coal, which a cab forward can’t do, but wound up on oil anyway.
Sounds like a great 'bash project. Keep us posted. Dan
Have you tired google?
You shouldn’t have too much problem with the conversion. Though the AC-9 was built by Lima and the other AC’s by Baldwin, the two locomotives are pretty identical in appearance, down to the Tractive Effort, though you’ll have to change the trailing (leading) truck on the cab-forward. The cab-forward truck is used for tracking more than firebox support (cab-forwards were considered to be glorified 2-8-8-2’s by the SP engineers, and the AC stood for Articulated Consolidation. Go figure.). One thing you might consider, if you have trouble with the cab, is to see if you can find an old shell for a Bachmann Daylight. The cabs were identical. Of course the AC-9 had the Skyline casing on top of the boiler, but you can do that with styrene. Sounds like a neat project, keep the rest of us SP freaks out here informed, okay? Best of luck.
Tom
Thanks for all the help. The photo was the second one I have! NUTS! I think I may have borrowed that book from my local library years ago, as it sound familiar. I’ll go check in the next day or so. Didn’t realize the Daylight cab was the same, I’ll keep an eye open for one. When I get further along (ready to start), I’ll pass on what I have. Thanks again!
If you can find one, try Robert Church’s Book “Cab-Forwards”. It includes info on all the SP articulateds. There are also some pictures of AC-9’s in Guy Dunscomb’s book “A Century Of Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives”. Both books are out of print, but you might be able to find one on eBay.
Andre
I’ve too engaged in the search for Espee Yellowstone photos. Couldn’t find many though. Check out www.photoswest.org