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Post by m a y o r 79 on Mar 24, 2017 18:06:06 GMT -5
Like I need another project but why not. I'm planning on building a boxcab (maybe two) for my little shelf switcher layout. I may build two if I can win an eBay auction.
These were built as a combination of Alco, GE, and Ingersol Rand (they were referred to as AGEIR locomotives, so I'll move this to Brand X when the build starts) in the mid 1920's mainly for the NYC terminal railroads in Manhattan (Erie, etc.) due to ordinances against steam locomotives downtown. The CNW bought 3 for use in Chicago for similar reasons but they eventually migrated up into Wisconsin for the end of their careers. The CNW scrapped them in 1957, which fits the era I wanted for my switching layout. I may keep them around for the Beer line as a just for fun loco even though they never ran on the line.
I'm using the old Roundhouse boxcab (track cleaning car) for the shell and a Bachmann 44ton switcher for the frame trucks and motor (and DCC if I can get it to work, it runs terrible right now).
Should be a relatively easy detailing project. Mostly grabirons, radiator modifications on the roof, and new exhaust. I'm sure ill take it beyond that though. I may add the air tanks below the frame and some frame detailing. Otherwise they just need a paint job, the Roundhouse shell is actually quite accurate from what I've been able to find. I just ordered some decals for them today.
Below is as far as I got so far. Hopefully next week the second unit arrives.
(Image link fixed thanks to Imgur  )
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2017 20:59:56 GMT -5
Gonna do a little boxing huh.
Interesting project
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dekon
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Post by dekon on Mar 24, 2017 21:05:58 GMT -5
Did the same exact thing. I even put sound in it. Runs great. Mine is a little crude because I did it a proof of concept, going to rebuild it and make two more. Going to be watching your build maybe I'll be able to pick up some tips from you. If you go to gearedsteam.blogspot.com/ he did the same thing. It is about 1/2 way down the page under the modeling section. I actually had wheel sets made by NWSL with larger diameter wheels and used these side frames www.rgspemkt.com/Parts-1.html as they look close to the ones used under the GE/IR boxcabs. Hope some of this info helps with your build. |
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Mar 25, 2017 15:21:06 GMT -5
So I was messing around with the layout and the Bachmann switcher this afternoon. Got it running okay, unfortunately its a 28 step decoder so slow speed control is limited, but on a stretch with no switches I can get it going pretty slow. I think it just needed some break in time. It does tend to stall out on the frogs when its going at around step 9 or 10 though. Actually it stalled out on almost every frog when either the front or rear truck touched it going that slow. Dont have that problem with longer wheelbase locos. Fortunately I did isolate each frog and drop a feeder down for them. I guess Im looking at buying some frog juicers now.
The other weird thing I noticed was the headlights had a mind of their own. They also are in the wrong spot for the boxcabs. Anyone know what voltage LED's they used? There are two resistors on the board inside the loco (the decoder is separate). I'm guessing they are 1.5 volt LED's in that case.
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dekon
Staff Member
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Post by dekon on Mar 27, 2017 20:15:50 GMT -5
Also Mike, not sure if you know this, but there are actually two different body styles of the Roundhouse Boxcab; one has the side doors, the other has end doors.
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Sept 22, 2017 12:46:35 GMT -5
Wow 6 month old thread. Still haven't started this project yet (I don't do much modeling at all over the summer).
Unfortunately my wife had to have hip replacement surgery so my outdoor hobbies (fishing and photography) have pretty much ended early this year since I need to pick up all of the day to day household work and needing to be close to home for the kids. But that does mean I can work on models more now, so there's a silver lining I guess.
I so far have been unable to pick up another boxcab (yes Richard I know about the two body styles, I need the one with the end doors) so I may just have to push forward with just this one loco for now. I'll probably build a second frame though so its ready to go when I do get another one.
Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get the parts pulled out for this one and get all the pictures I took re-hosted somewhere so I can get them posted here again.
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Sept 24, 2017 14:45:39 GMT -5
Okay guys, I'm hoping you can help me out on this one. I just placed a order with Walthers for a handful of parts I'll need for this one (along with a rather hard to find Custom Finishing H12-44 conversion kit but that's a different build). Anyway, most of the details for this build are grab-irons and basic styrene shapes that just need to be fabricated but there are a few pieces I need.
First is a Precision Scale air reservoir, but it needs to be the 20" diameter recessed convex ends. I found a concave end version on ebay that I may just use but I figured I'd see if anyone here had any, or knew of anyplace with them in stock. Its part number 31048 (brass) or 32085 (plastic) that I need.
The second part I'm looking for is a Branchline brake cylinder that it doesn't seem Atlas has in stock or available. The link below is a picture of what I need (hope its not an issue to provide a link off site), its the cylinder on top, not the basic one on the bottom. Back in 2012 it was supposedly part number BL151003 maybe?
www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/wvrr/2012323123630_RRL-BrakeCylinders.jpg
Does anyone have any that they would be willing to part with (I'm looking for 2), or know where I can get some? Like I said the Atlas store doesn't seem to list them.
Hopefully if I can get these last few parts I'll start the official build next week. |
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