EMD Model 40

I believe the engine in Travel Town is not operable. Per what I was told The Walkersville Southern, Walkersville Maryland, where I volunteer, has the only operable Model 40 and is used regularly to pull excursion trains. 

Good to know, SJC.  Thanks for the info.  Matt

The one in Travel Town runs -- at least it did a few years ago last time I was there. They were using it for Caboose rides and moving equipment back and forth. They got it in working condition from McDonald-Douglas in Long Beach. Next time I'm through the area I'll check on that. My understanding is that McD was going to get rid of it and one of the employees suggested giving it to Travel Town. It was immediately painted red, given the number "1"  and re-named "The Charley Atkins" in honor of the founder of Travel Town.

I believe Ed Reutling scratch-built an O scale model but I don't recall one ever being mass-produced in O scale.

Travel Town also got hold of a Baldwin road switcher -- a 4-axle similar to an AS616 and just as ugly. It, too was running when they got it. They'also ve been working to restore gas-electric ATSF M177 to operation.

Before being gobbled up by Athearn, Model Die Casting offered one in HO.

Rusty

Locomotive Workshop (now defunct) offered a kit in white metal castings; I have molds that can be used to recast those parts in resin.

Now that's interesting. Does that include the sideframes? This locomotive is a prime candidate for the Northwest Short Line "magic carpet" drive.

I knew I shouldn't have posted that,    Made me go look and see just what is in that box....

Ok, the base/platform is one piece and the bearing blocks for each axle floats in the side pockets (I'm sure somebody will correct the terminology ).  I never made the molds for that base/platform or the bearings or the other parts about the axles.  I did made the molds for the rest and even cast 2-3 complete sets.  Have a roof as well, but again never made that mold.  Probably figured on just using brass or styrene....

You are correct however - perfect for a pair of NWSL magic carpet drives with 40" wheels.  Might be able to put a Q-Car drive unit in there; maybe 2 given the spacing and some offset of the motors or letting them set upwards a bit. 

Certainly could be done.

Brother Love did the scratch built one, I would of loved to had it, but than I would of been three-railing it.  A resin Kit may be intresting........

Yes.  I offered him a set of the castings that I had on hand.

http://www.karlgarin.com/2doorsdown.htm

For the scratchbuilder, check the April 1962 issue of Model Railroader Magazine.

Sweet, Matt!

That is very cool!  Matt

It looks like Travel Town's Model 40 is still running.  Here is some info about it from their current website:

Travel Town #1, affectionately christened the "Charley Atkins," in memory of Travel Town's
founder, is the first display locomotive at the museum to move under its own motive power since
1961. The #1 spent most of its working life as an industrial switcher. Built in 1942 for the United
States Navy, "Charley" was one of only eleven Model 40 diesels ever built by the Electro-Motive Corporation, a division of General Motors based in La Gange, Illinois. This 300 h.p. prototype
locomotive, designed for switching freight cars from track to track in railroad yards or hauling heavy loads around an industrial field, represents early experimentation in diesel design, just as steam locomotive manufacturers had tried so many different sizes, wheel arrangements, and weights.
The design of this locomotive is unusual because its two Model 6-71 diesel-engines power a DC traction generator supplying power to a pair of four-wheeled trucks—most switching locomotives of this size would be equipped with two traction motors, one for each wheel set.
    
    In his early days, "Charley" worked for the Navy hauling coal and supplies at the Torpedo Station
on Goat Island, Rhode Island. Later, "Charley" served at the Naval Air Station, North Island in San
Diego. After a long career with the Navy, it was transferred, in 1962, to the McDonnell-Douglas
Aircraft Corporation for use at the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant and worked for more
than twenty-five years at the McDonnell-Douglas plant right here in Torrance, California. On March
11, 1988, the Los Angeles City, Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners accepted the
McDonnell-Douglas donation of Travel Town #1. "Charley" embarked on a new career as a switch locomotive, here at the Travel Town Museum.

Matt