Dirt Cheap N&W ALCO C630's (old school kitbash)

[stlrail]

Well this quarantine has me doing some crazy things! I can't justify spending $70-100 for Stewart/Bowser units, but I want some N&W C630's, so I'm doing it the old fashion way, kitbashing! I picked up several shells and mechanisms to the tune of about $50 for everything. The plan is to build 2 C630's, TYCO bodies; one on a modified Athearn frame to use Trainmaster trucks, the other on an IHC C628 frame with tri-mount trucks. I'll end up with a left over C628 that I'll build into something and a spare Bachmann C40-8 frame. I know these will all be a lot of work, but the goal is to stay under $40 total for each unit including detail parts. This is a side project while working on my GBW Alco fleet, mostly because I'm eccentric, wish me luck!

My low buck project score:



Beginnings of the first unit:

[icghogger]

Awesome project, three for the price of one, keep us posted!!

[slowfreight]

I've seen the Tyco shell used to make a decent high-nose C628 many years ago. The guy used roughly the same parts you're using, saving the frame, pilots, cab, etc. from the Tyco unit. But you may do better using the IHC frame if you hack and cut more.

[stlrail]

Well, I made a little more progress today, got the truck mounts shimmed up to get the correct ride height and truck spacing. The other junk showed up too, unfortunately one of the C628's is a dummy, but I bought some spare parts to make a powered chassis, we will have to see. The TYCO C630 actually fits pretty well on the Bachmann chassis, I might just buy another cheap Super 630 shell and explore that later. Maybe kitbash HI-AD trucks from the GE trucks?

[stlrail]

A little bit more progress today; got the chassis put back together and pre wired (this will eventually be a DCC/sound unit). The shims electrically isolated the trucks from the frame, hense the two wires from the trucks, and a pro tip; the new style Athearn motor mounts (w/ screws) fit right in place of the old floppy plastic ones. The ride height still seems good, I'm going to use Atlas pilots grafted to the TYCO body (the Atlas sills are only about $4), but those will take a week or so to get here, so it looks like this may stagnate for a while. I may just work on my GBW stuff for a while.

[countryroads]

Going to be interesting to say the least.

Liking where this is going

[slowfreight]

Just stripping the hideous paint made it look better. Keep us posted.

[stlrail]

Well, like any good project of mine, I have the best intentions of keeping it cheap, but I can't pass up a good deal. I picked up a complete Stewart C628 chassis from eBay for $40. This will go underneath the other TYCO shell to ensure both are good runners. In regards to what is spent on any individual unit, this is still WAY cheaper than a new Bowser unit...

[countryroads]

Nice score on the chassis

[sbcarshops]

Awesome project so far, definitely liking the progress! and stellar deal too!

[stlrail]

The Stewart chassis showed up today, just a little modification and it'll be a good fit. I haven't quite decided yet, but I think I'll finish a few more GBW units, and then dive into these...

[countryroads]

Looking cool.

Also check your email later.

[stlrail]

Jun 3, 2020 20:49:03 GMT -5 countryroads said:

Looking cool.

Also check your email later.

I've not seen anything in my email?

[countryroads]

Yeah sorry bout that got the RS11 together will be shipping them Monday as disability check is delayed.

Just need to make sure I have your address correct.

As will include tracking

[stlrail]

Jun 4, 2020 14:10:42 GMT -5 countryroads said:

Yeah sorry bout that got the RS11 together will be shipping them Monday as disability check is delayed.

Just need to make sure I have your address correct.

As will include tracking

I'll shoot you an email!

[stlrail]

Finally on the workbench! Still waiting on the Cal-Scale Century detail kits for these, which should be here this week, but I can get started on filling the body holes and working on attaching the Atlas pilots...

[stlrail]

They already look a million times better with just pilots!




Does anyone make these vents(?), or something like them, that appeared on the cab and short hood in later years?

[slowfreight]

Starting to look good. You're right about the difference that the pilot makes. Shave the grabs and add wire ones, and you can start to forget that it's actually a Tyco.

That EMD fuel tank has to go!. If you file/grind the tank sides flat, can you use Evergreen half rod to make the correct Alco look?

[stlrail]

Jul 22, 2020 11:08:36 GMT -5 slowfreight said:

That EMD fuel tank has to go!. If you file/grind the tank sides flat, can you use Evergreen half rod to make the correct Alco look?

Bowser actually sells the fuel tank sides for $1.38 a piece, I have one for each side, I'll grind down the sides and graft those on!

[nsc39d8]

John,

No one make those vents as a detail part. I have been looking for them for awhile. It has to be scratch built.