Diesel Parts Identification

Brake cylinders. Pistons in the cylinders operate the levers of the brake rigging. Chain to one piston goes to the hand brake. Main reservoirs hold air for the brake system, locomotive (independent) and trainline (automatic).

Much appreciated. That helps a lot!

@BillYo414 posted:

I always see people seem to know all the parts of locomotives in other threads. I'm not sure where to learn this info myself so I'm just going to go direct and ask:

No place like here to get that kind of information.

@BillYo414 posted:

I always see people seem to know all the parts of locomotives in other threads. I'm not sure where to learn this info myself so I'm just going to go direct and ask:

What are the blue arrows pointing to? What is the real life counterpart? I know there are chains attached to these in real life because I was looking at photos of real RS3's for some modelling ideas to upgrade my LC+2.0 RS3's. Are they some sort of brake cylinders? I always thought slowing the power to the electric motors and using brake shoes were the methods to slow diesel locomotives but this close inspection of my models' trucks made me realize I didn't actually know.

Same question for the red arrows. I assume they're air reservoirs but what exactly are they holding air for? The whole locomotive? Are they powering the items in the blue arrow question?

You are aware for an RS3 that is an incorrect undercarriage. the Trucks should have A.A.R. truck sides and the Fuel tank/battery box/air tanks are totally different than the EMD GP style arrangement that you have on your model.

this is what an RS3 should look like...

That's not the only LC truck problem.  The NW2's have AAR type B like the RS3 should.  I pointed this out to Lionel several years back and was summarily (not surprisingly) ignored.  My 1 LC engine, the Southern NW2 from several years back has had a set of MTH AAR A side frames adapted.  No more LC for me.

I own a 1951 Locomotive Cyclopedia.  You can find them on that auction site and I paid $50 for mine.  It has detailed information on locomotives from all the manufacturers for that year and years prior, details of the internal components and external components, and to your specific question very detailed information on the various trucks used for the locomotives.  Being the 1951 volume, it is a little light on steam locomotives as by then the major steam manufacturers were mainly making tenders only. 

I find the data, the photographs, and the dimensioned drawings to be a really valuable part of my book collection.  There are several volumes of Locomotive Cyclopedias, Car Cyclopedias, Locomotive Dictionaries, and Car Dictionaries that have been published since the late 19th century to cover most era's of 20th century railroading. 

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

You are aware for an RS3 that is an incorrect undercarriage. the Trucks should have A.A.R. truck sides and the Fuel tank/battery box/air tanks are totally different than the EMD GP style arrangement that you have on your model.

this is what an RS3 should look like...

Would you believe the Southern shops pulled a page from the PC Dewitt shops and put EMD Blomberg trucks under some rebuilt RS3s?

No I didn't think so.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

You are aware for an RS3 that is an incorrect ...

I am wildly unaware. My layout is in limbo right now due to some unexpected expensive events in my own life and my solution to still move forward on the layout was to work on detailing my fleet. I posted on here asking where to start a while ago and basically I am following the advice in that thread. I'm not much interested in changing out trucks just yet. But I thought I could add window visors and brake chains and whatnot to improve the model a bit. The cab interior could be improved some but it's going to be a heck of a tight squeeze.

Changing out trucks does appeal to me in the long run though. I just wouldn't know where to source replacements. Much like with my own vehicle, I never know how people know those headers will fit on my Magnum engine. That's the biggest barrier for me. I don't even know A.A.R trucks from whatever other kinds of trucks there are. The 1951 Locomotive Cyclopedia @GG1 4877 mentions might be the sort of resource I have been missing. I have the skills and the motivation but I'm lacking on the context and knowledge.

@BillYo414 posted:

I am wildly unaware. My layout is in limbo right now due to some unexpected expensive events in my own life and my solution to still move forward on the layout was to work on detailing my fleet. I posted on here asking where to start a while ago and basically I am following the advice in that thread. I'm not much interested in changing out trucks just yet. But I thought I could add window visors and brake chains and whatnot to improve the model a bit. The cab interior could be improved some but it's going to be a heck of a tight squeeze.

Changing out trucks does appeal to me in the long run though. I just wouldn't know where to source replacements. Much like with my own vehicle, I never know how people know those headers will fit on my Magnum engine. That's the biggest barrier for me. I don't even know A.A.R trucks from whatever other kinds of trucks there are. The 1951 Locomotive Cyclopedia @GG1 4877 mentions might be the sort of resource I have been missing. I have the skills and the motivation but I'm lacking on the context and knowledge.

Do the research !!!!!!!   There are endless reference books, builders drawings, and Photographs (worth their weight in gold) of most every engine and car ever owned most rail roads!   Once you educate your self  on how a particular  car or engine looked , you will see how pathetic alot  of the model trains currently being produced, actually are.  ( and question, why do it right to begin with). Have fun uprading!

@Dave Koehler posted:

Do the research !!!!!!!   There are endless reference books, builders drawings, and Photographs (worth their weight in gold) of most every engine and car ever owned most rail roads!   Once you educate your self  on how a particular  car or engine looked , you will see how pathetic alot  of the model trains currently being produced, actually are.  ( and question, why do it right to begin with). Have fun uprading!

Or some maybe don't want to do the research so they won't be quite as horrified with what they find out!

@BillYo414 posted:

I am wildly unaware. My layout is in limbo right now due to some unexpected expensive events in my own life and my solution to still move forward on the layout was to work on detailing my fleet. I posted on here asking where to start a while ago and basically I am following the advice in that thread. I'm not much interested in changing out trucks just yet. But I thought I could add window visors and brake chains and whatnot to improve the model a bit. The cab interior could be improved some but it's going to be a heck of a tight squeeze.

Changing out trucks does appeal to me in the long run though. I just wouldn't know where to source replacements. Much like with my own vehicle, I never know how people know those headers will fit on my Magnum engine. That's the biggest barrier for me. I don't even know A.A.R trucks from whatever other kinds of trucks there are. The 1951 Locomotive Cyclopedia @GG1 4877 mentions might be the sort of resource I have been missing. I have the skills and the motivation but I'm lacking on the context and knowledge.

There is also a series of books called the "Train Shed Cyclopedia".  There are 90 volumes and all can be found on the evil auction site for as little as $10 each.  If you have a specific interest, this maybe a cheaper alternative as these books take photos and diagrams from all the sources I referenced and group them into specific interest areas.

Also, you wouldn't necessarily change out the trucks.  In most cases the side frames are changeable.  I can't speak to LC locomotives, but typically there are screws on the top of the side frames on tabs that screw into the truck block.  You just need to make sure the wheel spacing matches the side frames you are using.

For your specific locomotive, there is also nothing wrong with detailing it as is and making something unique that you get the satisfaction of having done yourself.  It's your railroad and your engine facility so you can come up with any number of reasons why this was the solution of your railroad.  There were many EMD locomotives running around on Alco trucks from trade-ins.  Why not the other way around in your modeling world?

I definitely don't mind doing the research but I sure hope I don't ruin how impressed I am with newer locomotives once the research is done I have probably over a year worth of hours logged on research for the model of the steel mill I'm working on. It's been off and on research for 4 years now!

I will look up these "Train Shed Cyclopedia" books and see what I can find. The reference pictures seem to be the fastest way to get this job done. I just made a small list of what was missing from the RS3 in photos vs model when I was looking online but I completely missed the trucks. I could definitely swap the side pieces if they come off easily. I wouldn't be afraid of that at all. Heck, I would even be interested in having replacements 3D printed if I could find drawings for those trucks! My printer couldn't do the job but other people here on the forum definitely could if I sent them the file.

@GG1 4877 posted:

... and making something unique that you get the satisfaction of having done yourself. 

Exactly. It's very much about the satisfaction. The people that I think will see this layout the most would never ever know the difference in the details. My old RS3 was the first locomotive I ever bought with my own money 20 or so years ago when I was a kid. So there's a sentimental value in upgrading it and my two LC+2.0 locomotives and then using them on the layout.

@Dave Koehler posted:

Have fun uprading!

I haven't seen a Visionline or even Legacy RS3 so I guess I'll have to make my own!

have fun

@BillYo414 posted:

I definitely don't mind doing the research but I sure hope I don't ruin how impressed I am with newer locomotives once the research is done I have probably over a year worth of hours logged on research for the model of the steel mill I'm working on. It's been off and on research for 4 years now!

I will look up these "Train Shed Cyclopedia" books and see what I can find. The reference pictures seem to be the fastest way to get this job done. I just made a small list of what was missing from the RS3 in photos vs model when I was looking online but I completely missed the trucks. I could definitely swap the side pieces if they come off easily. I wouldn't be afraid of that at all. Heck, I would even be interested in having replacements 3D printed if I could find drawings for those trucks! My printer couldn't do the job but other people here on the forum definitely could if I sent them the file.

Exactly. It's very much about the satisfaction. The people that I think will see this layout the most would never ever know the difference in the details. My old RS3 was the first locomotive I ever bought with my own money 20 or so years ago when I was a kid. So there's a sentimental value in upgrading it and my two LC+2.0 locomotives and then using them on the layout.

I haven't seen a Visionline or even Legacy RS3 so I guess I'll have to make my own!

I believe I have detailed images and dimensioned drawings of AAR type B locomotive trucks that I can send you.  My email is my profile if you are interested.