B&O GE 80-ton Center Cab Diesel

Modifications to the Williams GE "44-ton" B&O model:

Changes to better match the prototype GE "80-ton" engine.

I will be reworking my Williams B&O "44-ton" model to replace/add more realistic railings at both ends and along each side to better match the GE 80-ton diesel. I will also replace the headlights with constant intensity LEDs. I will also replace the bell with a new casting.

The 80 tonners are still nowhere near the size of the Lionel/Williams loco:

Image from:

http://www.alaskarails.org/glance/EA-GE-80s.html

Weight has less to do with size and more to do with ballasting.  After all, the GE 45 tonner is a physically smaller locomotive than a 44 toner.

Rusty

for better truck sides, swap out the incorrect Bloomberg EMD type truck for the Nw2 Switcher truck. it looks a bit more realistic.

IF you don't like that, other than scratchbuild the sideframes, obtain the lionel plastic 44t trucks

prrhorseshoecurve:

"for better truck sides, swap out the incorrect Bloomberg EMD type truck for the Nw2 Switcher truck. it looks a bit more realistic."

Good suggestion: I have an extra NW-2.  I will look at swapping the trucks or possibly the entire chassis.

Another modification for the Williams 44-ton model:

I plan to rework the side cab windows to look more like the prototype.

See the prototype photo. It has a sliding window that opens. I will make my model with the window partially open and add an engineer.

Reworking the body of the Williams 44-ton diesel:

I will be reworking my Williams B&O engine to modify the body similar to the prototype photo attached. Notice the difference when compared to the original Williams model.

I will also add some underframe details. I plan to add new side and end railings.

With the small PS-3 boards MTH could make a Scale Premier model of the 80 and the 44 Tonner in several road names including US Army that would sell like crazy in my opinion. Since no manufacturer has comes close to getting it right in the past, these would sell out faster then the Natty Boh reefers did in my opinion. But what do I know.

At least they could if they weren't just sticking PS-3 boards in the same old engines that have been around for years. I don't see them leading the hobby in making anything new in anything but European or HO. I'd be real happy if Lionel made it, but don't see that happening either.

Modifications to the Williams B&O 44 ton Diesel.

I have started modifications to 2 of my Williams B&O 44 ton Diesels.

The first major "mod" is to trim the body similar to the attached prototype photo.

See also my Williams model with the body trimmed and the window "inserts" removed. Notice I have also removed the plastic "bell" casting which will be replaced with a brass bell.

Modifications to the Williams B&O 44 ton Diesel.

The next modification is to completely remove the sound board and speaker from the cab area. I intend to detail the cab area and add an engineer. I will replace the "glass" windows after I alter the side window area.

Since I have 2 identical B&O models I plan make one of the models  a "dummy" (non-powered) engine but include the "sound" system in the dummy.  The result will be a single powered engine with "dual" motors. 

Note: The Williams speaker in the GE 44 ton diesel is installed in the "cab area" so removing it allows a view of the cab interior.

A photo of the Williams GE 44 ton diesel chassis is attached.

Can't wait to see what you do with the headlights...I want to do the same thing to a few of mine.

Here are photos of the "dummy" diesel after conversion.

The Williams "sound" board and speaker will be added to this chassis along with directional LEDs.

I will also add underbody details to the chassis very similar to the prototype.

More photos coming.

Modifying the Williams GE 44-ton diesel:

Here is a prototype photo showing typical underframe detail.  I will add similar detail to the underframes on my 2 Williams B&O diesels.

More photos coming.

I would be in for several U.S. Army versions!  

I won't hold my breath waiting for one of those highly-sought-after locomotives from either source.  Best bet for seeing this actually come to fruition would likely be MTH, in my opinion.

What I would have done is make this a how-to article for the magazine.  The $200 earned would cover all the costs and then some.  

As a bonus, many more folks--there are a lot of Lionel and Williams 44-tonners floating around out there--would have benefitted from such an article.

This is not a 44 ton locomotive but close to it in size. Niagara Junction had a small fleet of these.

Size isn't a determining factor in a locomotive's weight.  I don't have any GE information on hand, so I'll use Plymouth Locomotives from 1985 to illustrate.

The lowly M series, a diminutive 4 wheeled(or W series with 6 wheels) industrial locomotive that can be ballasted from 25 to 45 tons.  At just under 20' long and 10' tall, it's considerably smaller than a GE 44 tonner, yet could be had 1 ton heavier.

Weighing in at 45 to 60 tons and just under 40' long and 11' high is Plymouth's CR-8:

Now comes the ever so slightly smaller CR-8XT, 7 inches shorter than the CR8, but just as tall at 11' and weighing in at 70 to 120 tons.

Rusty

Or maybe RMT since the BEEP/BEEF frame might be just about right, particularly for a 44 tonner.  And Walter certainly knows how to "produce" lots of roadnames.  Big "what if" might be the cost of the shell design and molding.

Poppyl