scratchbuilding US Army MRS-1 for NMRA Master Modeler Cert

[mkl194]

I'm thinking of starting the NMRA Master Model Railroader Certification.  I started doing some research on the requirements and what people have said about them.  After reading all the complaints, I'm of the belief that it's all about grinding through the requirements regardless of the current state of technology.

I plan of scractchbuilding the US Army Alco MRS-1 anyway so I thought I would try to do it following the rules as they are laid out.

Here's the link to the rules:


www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=200568

NMRA MMR Certification

Does anyone have any advice on building this locomotive?  I haven't found a real clear set of plans, but can probably get them from one of the museums, like Nevada Northern or the Center for Military History may have Technical Manual TM-55-208, which could also be Field Manual FM-55-208, I've seen references to both and know the TM number is way to short to be valid.

Back is the 80's I photographed the 2 operating pair they had at Ft. Bragg and the 2 deadlined pair that ended up at Camp MaKall.

Thoughts anyone?

[mkl194]

Here is a picture of an Alco MRS-1


ALCO MRS-1

After some preliminary research, I've found that what I need is the technical drawing.  I've looked through my collection of US Army manuals and determined that the best drawing might be found in the elusive TM 55-208.  So far, I've been unable to obtain this book.  What I have found though is some measurements from a variety of websites.

This thing has an overall length of 55' and some inches making it within inches of an RS-11.  What I'd like to know is if anyone has ever attempted to scratchbuild this locomotive.

I also have some of my own pictures I took at Ft. Bragg back in the 1980's.  I think this is one of the great un-modeled locomotives left.

Is anyone close enough to one of the preserved survivors to get pictures good enough for modeling purposes?

Is anyone close enough to one of the preserved survivors to a copy of the technical drawing from the places that have it?

[dhm]

I built one some years ago using an Atlas RSD-4 as a starter....had to rework the plastic frame to lower the cab (built for European clearances)...the trucks looked right..although the prototype is variable gauge....I was more an "impressionist and all in all I was "kinda close but no cigar" and I thought it would be nice to see what a more proficient modeler could do.

You might check www.alaskarails.org/pix/ARR-picts-old-loco.html The Alaska RR had a number of them, in use until about 1985 or so...on that website there's also a model railroad link...and several people have built the GM version...more angular cab and body.The Airforce has one, painted in ther blue and yellow ARR scheme...

You might also post in the Alaska RR yahoo group. There are several very talented ARR modelers who post there on occasion....and they may have some MRS-1 documentation to share...

I think if you use the RS-11 frame, RSD trucks, and an Rs-3 body..with reworked ends and cab youll be in the door..

Don
Anchorage AK

[dhm]

There is one at the Alaska Museum of Transportation... www.museumofalaska.org/

You might contact them..they may have the drawings/manuals, etc. The guy that ran (runs)it is a model railroader...

Hope this helps....

don
Anchorage AK

[mandealco]

Hi

I'm not sure what's available in HO scale, but in N-scale, the best starting point is an Atlas/Kato RS-1 with Atlas/Kato RSD-4 trucks.   The RS-1 hoods are closest to the MRS-1.  Here is my starting point, but completion is along way off, as I have other projects to complete first.




The first photo has the starting point in the background, the other photos show how it's put together in N-scale.  The cab is made up of 2 sections of a GP-9 cab.


Cheers
Steve
NZ

[simulatortrain]

Nice MRS-1!

[mkl194]

That's a really great idea doing the cab that way