This model really makes me wonder how the hobby would look today if Tyco decided to take the more high-end route!
Like the GP20, this was one of the HO units that Tyco actually did a decent job on the shell, considering the tool & die technology utilized by scale modeling manufacturers back then.
For today, if I had one of these growlers, my preferemce would be to adapt the shell to a modern HO Alco 6-axle drive.
IIRC, Illinois Central didn’t own any of these giants but some prototypes are still running around (low nose versions, I think).
They went straight to bigger ones: C636s. Made even more brutish with Hi-Ad trucks.
Hobbytown of Boston has their RSD4/5 chassis that might be adaptable
37612 AlCo RSD-4 Power Conversion Kit 6 Wheel Trucks w/Flywheel Drive $60.00
hobbytown of Boston – Everything is very proudly made, packaged and shipped in the U. S. A.
Cool and interesting project, Darth. I never knew Tyco made any diesels with that drive system, and would have never guessed it would be Rivarossi powered. Dan
I actually ordered one of their universal chassis kits special with the ALCO trucks a while back and used that for my Santa Fe 630.[:D]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMODco0BdY0&t=148s
I finally made the time to watch this video.
As with all your videos, it was fascinating and enjoyable for me.
I never knew Tyco made a locomotive with Athearn style metal handrails.
Please keep them coming!
-Kevin
Very good review. It gives me some ideas for fixing up a recent acquisition of Rivarossi’s U25C. [C):-)]
Gave it an upgrade today!
Thanks for sharing. Way back in 1976, one of these in a bicentennial paint scheme powered my first model train set. Most of it is gone, but I still have the shell with a single truck under it. Somewhat the worse for wear, but a reminder of how it all began.