Jump to content
Β 

HO scale GE Steeplecab from Model Railroad Warehouse kit


Recommended Posts

Very nice. Looking forward to seeing the finished loco.

Β 

I've noticed you haven't used the "footplate" from the kit, and something other than Bachmann chassis parts. What have you shoehorned in...?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Nice! A few questions, do you have a particular prototype in mind, will the pan be used for pickup and does the kit company have a website?

Β 

G'day David,

Β 

Thanks for the compliment. The loco is freelanced, inspired by a number of photos in Joe Strapac's book on GE interurban electric locos:

Β 

51S7awMq2mL.jpg

Β 

The pantograph doesn't pick up power, it has a plastic collector shoe. It's made by a small Japanese manufacturer, A-class. I may yet replace it with something finer from Imon, but in any case the loco will run on conventional two-rail power.

Β 

Cheers,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

http://www.prototypespecificproducts.com/interurban/#ge

Β 

Any use?

Β 

It's a bodyshell from Cannonball CAr Shops kit... Β  :)

Β 

That's the one, thanks Alistair. I bought a couple of these kits without any packaging from a trader at an exhibition some years back, so at the time I didn't know where they'd come from.

Β 

Cheers,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Very nice. Looking forward to seeing the finished loco.

Β 

I've noticed you haven't used the "footplate" from the kit, and something other than Bachmann chassis parts. What have you shoehorned in...?

Β 

Thanks Andy. It was seeing your layouts and locos featured in print and online that prompted me to start this project.

Β 

On this loco I have used the kit footplate, but it has an additional layer of sheet styrene on top to strengthen it, and to simulate the appearance of wooden running boatds which the older GE steeplecabs were fitted with. In this photo you can see steeplecab project number 2, which does have a new, longer footplate made of Evergreen sheet, strip and special section styrene. It also has a longer cab than provided in the kit. It's made by grafting the cabs from two kits together.

Β 

17902307463_61d1c1b48f_o.jpg

Β 

As you noted, I haven't used the Bachmann mech that the kit was intended to run with. I do have a number of them, but they all seem to be poor runners for one reason or another, so I tried something else:

Β 

18516524139_429eaa81bd_b.jpg

Β 

18515032590_94244775c1_b.jpg

Β 

I've used two NWSL Stanton drives mounted in a simple frame made out of 60 thou sheet styrene reinforced with code 100 rail. It's rude, crude and as rough as guts, but it works. It gives the correct ride height for the body and leaves the hoods and cab free to fit weights and a decoder. I originally made it simply as a mock-up but since it did the job I didn't bother replacing it with something more elegant.Β 

Β 

All the best,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

And a B-1 lurking in the background too- very nice. Is it MTS...?

Β 

The Steeplecab kit is quite versatile, but becomes deficient when modelling a 50+ tonner as the cab fronts need widening to bring the sides in line with the edge of the frame and the corners need radiusing. But it still works well as a freelanced loco.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well spotted Andy, the B-1 is an MTS model. I bought it second-hand many years ago with a damaged and incomplete mechanism. I kept putting off doing anything with it until recently, when I realised I could build a new mech of the same kind I'd built for the GEs. So it is next in line to be worked on after the the two GE locos are complete.

Β 

I hadn't noticed the difference in the cabs on the +50 ton locos until you pointed it out. Thanks for that bit of info, it's always good to learn from someone who has a few of these builds under their belt, so to speak.

Β 

Cheers,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The first one I built was scaled from photos, I thought it was acceptable at the time but had to actually go and measure a real one and despite crawling over many photos and three different prototypes, I still keep finding differences on the real 298 throughout its career.

Β 

I'll be needing at least three for the final version of the new layout, so might end up working on a 3d print instead of butchering further Cannonball kits, as fun to work with as they are.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm sorry Sparks I don't know, I bought them a few years ago now.

Β 

I see you've changed your avatar photo to something very interesting to me. What got you interested in the Chosi Dentetsu?

Β 

Cheers,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Very nice. I was looking at these kits last week - does anyone know if the American Model Builders parts are still available though? I can't find them on their current website.

Hi there,

Β 

AMB appears to be still alive.

Β 

On the web as well:-

Β 

http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm

Β 

Still lists lots of parts for detailing stock, locos and coaches.

Β 

Thanks

Link to post
Share on other sites

Nothing for the Steeplecab tho. The sideframes were useful and added weight as were the cast details, but 3d printing is now an alternative. The lowering kit still relies on the original powered trucks whilst better alternatives are available, and I never got to try the handrail bending jig.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm sorry Sparks I don't know, I bought them a few years ago now.

Β 

I see you've changed your avatar photo to something very interesting to me. What got you interested in the Chosi Dentetsu?

Β 

Cheers,

Β 

Mark.

Β 

My interest in Japan started when I came across the Choshi line on the internet over ten years ago and I finally got there in April on my second trip to Japan. It certainly didn't disappoint although unfortunately all the old stock has been disposed of in the meantime. I also got to the Hachioji and Hokusei 2'6" lines as well this trip. I'll post some photos in the Japanese Railways thread when I get around to it!

Β 

Hi Andy,

Β 

Apologies - wrong weblink used!

Β 

Details here:-

Β 

http://www.rgspemkt.com/Parts-1.html

Β 

Have sent email asking about availability already.

Β 

Thanks

Β 

I had found that website but I think it's an old one and the parts don't appear on their current website (the first link you posted), hence the question. Let us know if you hear anything please!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Andy,

Β 

Apologies - wrong weblink used!

Β 

Details here:-

Β 

http://www.rgspemkt.com/Parts-1.html

Β 

Have sent email asking about availability already.

Β 

Thanks

I did send an enquiry in the Autumn of 2009, just before the Steeplecab article appeared in Jan 10 MR, but didn't get a response. I did have enough bits to cover all of my YVT needs, but will definitely need sideframes for the Cuban builds for the future layout.

Link to post
Share on other sites

My interest in Japan started when I came across the Choshi line on the internet over ten years ago and I finally got there in April on my second trip to Japan. It certainly didn't disappoint although unfortunately all the old stock has been disposed of in the meantime. I also got to the Hachioji and Hokusei 2'6" lines as well this trip. I'll post some photos in the Japanese Railways thread when I get around to it!

Β 

I can't fault your taste in minor Japanese railways! :) I've always been partial to the Chosi Dentetsu. The two Kintetsu 2'6" gauge lines were what got me interested in modelling Japanese railways in the first place. And I'd love to see some photos from your trip, that would be great. I haven't been back to Japan since the Sangi Railway took over the Hokuseisen. I think the line has a good future under their ownership - they recently repainted the 200 series articulated cars in their original Mie Kotsu livery of green and cream.

Β 

I don't know whether you are interested in modelling the Chosiden, but the tiny little AEG steeplecab has been produced in both 1/80th Β and 1/150th scales by World Kougei. Models of the Deha 300, 500 & 1000 series cars have been available in the Tomytec Railway Collection range of N scale models.

Β 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10065611

Β 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10212336

Β 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=104&cat=rail&sold=0&state=0&sortid=0&target=original&searchkey=Choshi+Electric+Railway+(CDK)

Β 

You're probably already aware of all these models, but if not, food for thought...

Β 

All the best,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Tom, for both the compliment and the photo and link for the NJ locos. I did wonder if any were left, so it's good to know there's a survivor.

Β 

These locos have always interested me. A big part of what appeals to me about the early GE electrics is their quaint and rather fussy appearance. The contrast between them and the NJ locos shows how much the technology developed over the years, along with industrial design. The NJ locos are very attractive machines in my opinion.

Β 

Anyway, I should have a bit more progress on the model to show in a day or two, so until then,

Β 

All the best,

Β 

Mark.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I can't fault your taste in minor Japanese railways! :) I've always been partial to the Chosi Dentetsu. The two Kintetsu 2'6" gauge lines were what got me interested in modelling Japanese railways in the first place. And I'd love to see some photos from your trip, that would be great. I haven't been back to Japan since the Sangi Railway took over the Hokuseisen. I think the line has a good future under their ownership - they recently repainted the 200 series articulated cars in their original Mie Kotsu livery of green and cream.

Β 

I don't know whether you are interested in modelling the Chosiden, but the tiny little AEG steeplecab has been produced in both 1/80th Β and 1/150th scales by World Kougei. Models of the Deha 300, 500 & 1000 series cars have been available in the Tomytec Railway Collection range of N scale models.

Β 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10065611

Β 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10212336

Β 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=104&cat=rail&sold=0&state=0&sortid=0&target=original&searchkey=Choshi+Electric+Railway+(CDK)

Β 

You're probably already aware of all these models, but if not, food for thought...

Β 

All the best,

Β 

Mark.

Β 

Don't tempt me! I successfully avoided buyingΒ any N gauge stock on my first trip to avoid starting inΒ a third scale but I did succumb to a TomytecΒ Choshi 800 car for the shelf this time, mainly because I'd actually seen it at Tokawa (as per my avatar).

Β 

I do have a HobbyModel 1/80th Kumoni13 kit next in line after Riverside though. I think you may have built one of these yourself? How did you go?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Mark. You are quite welcome. I grew in the region where the NJ electrics operated but never saw one first hand until after they were taken out of service.

Β 

As with many older electrics, they have a nice, squared mechanical appearance to them.

Β 

Keep up the great work!

Β 

TJM

Link to post
Share on other sites

Love your work and subject matter.

Β 

A fleet of these beauties roamed the Niagara Junction Railway, serving the many chemical industries in the Niagara Falls region in New York State. They soon disappeared after the formation of Conrail in 1976. This particular locomotive, NJ15, has been saved...http://www.trainweb.org/wnyrhs/nj15.htm

Looking at that photo starts a train of thought about a bash using a pair of Bachmann GE 40 tonner body-shells possibly on a SW9 chassis - no! - no!! - no!!! - get thee behind me Satan!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Hi all,

Β 

I have a response from AMB.....

Β 

________________________________________________________

Hello,
Β 
You will find all of our GE SteeplecabΒ parts listed under the gold "Laser Direct" button on our website atΒ www.laserkit.com.Β  Note that there are three pages of parts listed under "HO Scale Trolley Parts".
Β 
Thanks!
Β 
Regards,


American Model Builders, Inc.
8229 Brentwood Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63144
314-646-8588Β Voice
314-646-8583Β Fax
www.laserkit.com
Β 
________________________________________________
Β 
Hope this helps and resolves any possible 'How can I complete this' worries!
Β 
Thanks
Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Γ—
Γ—
  • Create New...