I am freelancing a logging, steel mill, and mining N scale layout. I have already discuss about the ideal logging loco and now I’m asking what makes the best realistic locomotive for a mining and steel mill scene. I have already listed SD40’s and 45’s as one, but I also wanted to know if there are any others?
You can either post about your experience or stated fact. Also, sorry if I’m slow to using model train slang I never had to use it before.
There is no best, only what you like best. Depends on location, fuel available, what someone in the company liked. Which loco manufacturer had the best sales person.
Do a Google search for mine locomotive. Search for steel mill locomotive. You will find thousands of possibilities with pros and cons of how the locos were. You will end up with many good links for more research.
\Rich
I searched both and found some but not many real information about them. I know switchers are used in and around steel mills and certain diesels are used in mines, but I’m asking from modeler what is the best locomotive for the steel mill and mine scene.
Steel Mill Railroads (two volumes) by Stephen Timko has hundreds of photos of various locomotives at work around steel mills and affiliated industries. Many types of locomotives have been pressed into use, but the most common would appear to be B-B switchers (by either EMD or Alco), often modified with steel plates welded over the cab windows on the side that will be operated toward the blast furnace. These can be operated solo or in teams or threes, and in actual operation they are often remote-controlled.
Bill
My layout is N scale and I cannot find any BB in stock. Would the Bachmann 70-tons work?
What do you mean you cant find any B-B in stock? GP series locos are B-B Atlas makes an MP15DC that would do the job as well as any. B-B just means the truck configuration which is 2 4 axle trucks with both axles are powered.
Massey
I didnt know that. Sorry.
A 70 tonner IS a B-B!
I already explain to the previous modeler that I do not know all of the model railroad terms. I call locomotive by what I see.
ex. Tonner, 2-6-0, ect.
Mr LMD
Whlle I see your point , people use terms regularly and would expect everyone to know them . Designation of wheel arrangements of diesel / diesel-electric and electric locomotives is akin to UIC system , where number of axles ( not wheels ) in one frame are counted by a letter - B for two axles , C for three axles and equivalent .
This must not be mixed with the old Whyte system used for steam locomotives or else you will arrive at some quite fantastic steam that has never been .
I presume it would help to look around on sites explaining locomotive types and their designation …
Good luck
J
To piggy back on what Juniatha has said.
The letters also tell you if the axle is powered or not. A lower case letter is unpowered and and uppercase is powered.
There is also a + and - between the letters to designate the bolsters. + means there is a shared bolster and - means not shared. For example.
B+B-B+B like a U50 would be is 2 powered axle sharing a bolster with another 2 powered axle, and the same setup in the rear as well.
Things like the old Caterpiller locos had some powered and some unpowered and even “A” trucks. Here is another example:
a+B+a-b+B-b
This would have an unpowerd lead axle with a powered 2 axle truck and another non powered truck all on the same bolster and in the rear a 2 axle unpowered with 2 exle powered, and followed by 2 axles unpowered sharing a bolster are the front most sets but the rear most truck is on its own bolster. This may or may not be a real configuration but it shows how the system works.
Massey
N really limits your choices but a pair of SW type switchers shoving cars would be very correct for industrial shortlines like mining and modern logging. Personally I like my little 0-4-0T Porter steam engines but I’m doing G so it is easier to do.
I have always liked my SP GE 44 ton deseasal. They just have so much character about them. [B]
I like steam locos to do some freight work as well
With all due respect, then you need to learn. You cannot fully participate in a hobby, as in a career, until you learn the jargon.
No need too be so up tight
I will have a 70 Toner in my steel mill. That is what they were made for, industrial switching.
Or if you can find one a SW1 would be fine a old Con Cor SW7 Alco S2 S1 HH660 anything like that would be Perfect in fact some of those models are Still being REBUILT today to be the Critters in the mills.
Speaking strictly of steam, almost any low-drivered (slow speed) locomotive could be found in mine service. At one extreme, there’s a tiny mine cart gauge 0-4-0T (four drivers, no tender) stuffed and mounted in Gallup, NM, that came from a coal mining area nearby. At the other extreme, the Appalachian coal routes routinely switched collieries with Mallets, up to and including Y6bs.
When open pit mines were rail-served, the locos tended to be big - the loaded trains all ran upgrade. Also in use in some places, electric traction. The overhead wire was supported on semi-portable poles or bridges that could be moved around as the benches were mined. These days, open pits are usually truck hauls, using those humongous dump trucks with cabs three stories up a long ladder.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with collieries switched by low-drivered steam)
Mr. LMD:
Mr. LDM wrote: -
I already explain to the previous modeler that I do not know all of the model railroad terms. I call locomotive by what I see.
Rogertra wrote: -
With all due respect, then you need to learn. You cannot fully participate in a hobby, as in a career, until you learn the jargon.
Mr. LMD wrote: -
No need too be so up tight
Rogertra wrote:-
Not being “uptight”, just giving you advice and stating a fact. If you want advice, then you need to learn the jargon and talk the talk. It’s really not up to us to figure out what you are discussing, although we will try but you also have to try. There’s many people on here who will help you out but you have make it easy for them Calling a locomotive as you see it doesn’t help us help you, does it?
If you wrote something like, “I’m new and don’t know what this is called” then we will be more than happy to help.