Im thinking of creating my own locomotive, the DaimlerChrysler MP1 (aka DCP1). A passenger loco, this Modern-era diesel is areodynamically shaped, and can match with any car shorter than a Superliner. Tell me about your non-proto locos in this discussion.
Non-prototype. I think the term used to be “freelanced”, and can range from what Alco might have built if they had stayed in business, to a GPNCC1701 (the starship enterprise on blomberg trucks!)[I have seen one of these ]. I have been running an outside frame 36" gage 2-4-4-2 compound articulated for about 13 years. I’m currently working on a 2-6-6-2,and I have considered( as a jest ) a number of Walther’s Pikers,and an Oscar, pulled by an A-B-A Hustler.
The “jokes” are easy, just build whatever and wait for the laughs. The “could have beens” are the toughest. These require a lot of research into what makes a locomotive really work, what trucks to use, what headlights,bells,whistle/horn,etc.
a DCP1 sounds probable, a DaimlerChrysler articulated sounds like a MercedesBends.
Freelancing Diesel locomotives is a lot more complicated than doing it with steam power, as the real railroads constantly modified their steam locomotives. The Diesel locomotive is a lot more complicated piece of machinery and a lot less forgiving of “shade tree mechanic” modifications. Yes, sheet metal has been modified (see ATSF’s CF7’s), but you are proposing to create a fictitious locomotive from a company that has just gotten out of the railroad business by selling its Adtranz division to Bombardier! But, model railroading is supposed to be fun, so have at it!
First of all, the DCP1 very well could be a prototype if DaimlerChrysler decides to build a loco. It’d have a Mercedes Benz Diesel, one of the most sophistocated in the world, and I’ll probably use GE trucks. (EMD is part of GM, Who is already a competitor in autos.)
Well, the DCP1 was going to be produced in cooperation with GE. This is going to be of it’s own design, which should make things easier, as it won’t be based much on any prototype. The only proto features may be the fact that I want to use a six-axle GE frame, but most details that identify it as a GE will be hidden by side skirting except for the trucks. Do you have any ideas on what frames I should use?
By the way, I’ve been thinking of building a Garrat for my freelance (American!) railway, the Hazzard And Southern. This is just so I don’t have a Mallet like everyone else, and Garrats can handle tighter turns than Mallets With equivalent power.
A freelanced Daimler-GE, sounds like fun. Try using DASH-9 trucks if you want a modern 6 axle look. My brother built a custom “SGP-60MX” called a “Sheep” instead of a “Geep”. He took a little GP-60 body and added modified Union Pacific styled SD-60M widecab. X for experimental. It was quite an intersting little diesel and it got a few laughs when it got caught in a tunnel. He made the wide cab angled out at the top wider than standard UP cab and didn’t keep the tunnel clearance in mind while building it! He won’t ever live that down. So make sure you don’t forget about width on your loco either, or you could be hauling 2 trains with that Daimler.
Dont worry about me. The loco should be about the size of the Dash-9 body that came off of the chassis, since it will be designed around the chassis. Do you prefer a certian brand of Dash-9 for this project?
There’s nothing wrong with an Athearn Dash 9 frame, but if you want performance, go with Kato. They are the ones to beat. Overland might make a brass underframe for the Dash 9. I know they’ve made just about every underframe you could fit under a Rail Power Products shell.
As far as carbody design is concerned, I’d suggest you tap into some of the rich heritage of German diesels. It may sound crazy, but I’ll bet Diamler-Benz had something to do with some of Germany’s diesel hydraulics (although Krauss-Maffei is probably one of the better known German manufacturers). And let’s not forget the real money behind Diamler-Chrysler: Diamler. However, I will credit Chrysler for bringing some beautiful designs along in the past ten years. This sounds like a really fun project. Good luck.
thanx for the info. As far as carbody design, Ive already established that. It is quite influinced by Chrysler car designs.
James,
I’d go with an Athern Dash 9 model, although a Kato would be a great unit to run. I really like this Proto 2000 SD-60 that I just bought. It has six axle trucks too, and it can pull more than 78 cars for sure. I tried to get it to pull everything I own and it did it too, no problem! Probably can haul another 8-10 cars. The only problem you might have is that the weight conforms to the inside of the SD-60 shell. You might want to check one out out your local dealer though. You can see the entire unit to see what I mean.
That’s great, except that General Motors is already a competetor of DaimlerChrysler in the automobile field. GE would make a much better business partner.
I’d like to hear of any of your current or past free-lancing projects.
James,
Several years ago, I built what I called an “F39-2” which was a GP39-2 with an F45 body. I used an Athearn F45 and a GP38-2 and made it work. I painted it in the MoPac thunder chicken paint scheme. It was really a fun project. Now that you have me thinking about it, I think I’d like to try it again.
I’ve also scratchbuilt two light industrial switchers and a few slugs, none of them from prototypes, but certainly inspired by different photos.
I have a couple of B40-8 shells without the cabs and I’m tempted to build a modern day equivalent to the U50C. It would be a fun project, but it’s going to take some thought before I figure out what the cab would look like. Anyway, fun topic. Anyone else?
Ryan
James,
I have had my own aspirations for a 4-10-10-4 steam locomotive. I believe that a diesel would be great. Have at it.
Pete, funny you should mention the Pikers and Oscar idea. I’ve been kicking around a similar idea, using for power an old AHM Dockside I bought several years ago. I shall call it my Short o’ Funds Express.
Incidently, that Dockside travels approximately 350 scale mph!
Hi there,
My railroad has one 2-axle Henschel-Rheinmetall diesel-hydraulic switcher on demostration. The builder wants to prove that a hydraulic transmission is much superior to an electric one on switchers. It’s a Minitrix N scale loco modified by the removal of its buffers and the addition of Micro-Trains couplers.
As for the (American) Beyer-Garrat, go ahead as you have a precedent for it - Alco held the Beyer-Garrat building license in the USA, although they never enticed any American roads into purchasing one…
Well, the loco has 4 sets of 6 drivers, arranged in a 4-6-6-4+4-6-6-4 fashon. Considering the fact that essentally this is two UP Challenger frames, it seems natural that these “Chargers” would be built by Alco, who produced Challengers for the UP.
The Burlington Northern lives. I’m currently doing paint sceems on the C44-9w and SD90Mac in black over green in N-scale. I want to try SP SD90Mac. Making a modern loco gp70? Will see!
speaking of ressurected fallen flags, i currently own a Delaware and Hudson, and a Rio Grande SD90MAC. i found a guy that custom builds and paints modern locos for any road name you want. you can check out his website HTTP://www.geocities.com/trainart he also painted some dash 9’s for the CB&Q and Chessie (i think) he also scratchbuilds cabless units (SD90BAC etc…) he may be able to help you with some ideas. just tell him Alex sent ya 