Ideas For New Diesel Models?

I'm going to re-engineer the Turbine units with Hobbytown AAR "B" trucks and a new motor installation.  This way I get all the power and all wheel drive.  Room inside the carbody will be less than what's there now, but not by much.  Not sure if this can be pulled off on the newer U50 models.  Yeah, there's a lot of Diesel and related models out there with dead drive axles, but this is not my cup of tea by any stretch!  Gimme all wheel pick up and all wheel drive...all the time!  

Here's one of those old Con-Cor N scale units:

Bob

GP38/38-2 units have been released by several O scale manufacturers. So....here are several units which were painted in Bicentennial schemes by their owners:

There's some good O scale potential there.

Bob

EMD six motor units in Bicentennial paint:

Bob

Since the Baldwin six motor AS-616 was introduced to three rail O gauge by MTH, I've been of the opinion the four motor AS-16 would be a logical follow up. 

Yes, an AS-16, preferably decorated for Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, would suit me just fine.

Bob

AS-16?

 Yes! This is another "please do" on my wish list!

CNJ 3676,

 Great choices for the road names, too!

Other than using a different generator and variation in certain details from order to order (not an identifying factor between locomotive types), Classes AS-16 and AS-616 were essentially the same locomotive from the frame up. Both units are 58' in length. The use of AAR Type "B" trucks should yield a credible AS-16.

Bob

That's correct. For example, these Durham & Southern units built as Class DRS6-4-1500 were re-trucked and very closely resembled the AS-16:

Thank you for bringing up that excellent point regarding units being re-trucked.

Bob

Some additional AS-16 units:

Note the higher hood of the United States Pipe & Foundry 43.

Bob

MTH did the similar AS616 years ago, but the model was plagued by having the two hoods too high, in order to clear the China drive vertical flywheels.  Otherwise a good representation of a classic Baldwin roadswitcher.  

There were several predecessors to the AS-16 in Baldwin's line of four motor road switchers. Submitted for your consideration is the 1000 horsepower DRS4-4-1000, 22 units of which were built between 1948 and 1950.

Bob

New York Central was another operator of the RS-12. In fact, at one time, this class served as primary passenger power on Putnam Division trains.

The following photos of 1954 Putnam Division action are from the NYCSHS website:

Bob

Gentlemen, you may interested to know, Darstaed are producing two diesels in the coming year. The V200 German loco, which Darstaed have already produced in 2 rail finescale, will be released in 3 rail, and will be equipped with Dallee e-units or ERR TMCC with Railsounds.

We will also produce in 3 rail, again with either Dallee e-unit or ERR TMCC and RS4,

the British Railways "Warship" class diesel.

Hi, Dave.

Thanks for sharing the news regarding the DB V200 and the Warship. Have prices been established yet?

Thank you,

Bob

No Bob, it will be some time off yet, but I will keep the forum informed.

If you want to receive our monthly newsletter, due out tomorrow, email Dave Upton,

upton@darstaed.com and ask to be put on the list. Tell him I sent you.

Great. Please do keep us informed. In the meantime, I'll request to be added to the newsletter as you suggest.

The V200 is a true icon in European railway circles. When I was younger, it seemed as though every Marklin layout I saw had one on it. It reminded me of Lionel and the Santa Fe F3.

Bob

I believe Darstaed has selected two solid choices with the V200 and Warship as they enjoy legendary status among Continental and UK fans respectively. Here are a few views of the Warship:

Bob

Another good choice for a three rail O gauge European diesel would be the German V60 0-6-0 shunter. I believe Lenz recently released a two rail model. Like the V200, the V60 is a locomotive I've seen on many HO and N scale railways with a European theme.

Bob

Through it all the >>>GE 44 Tonner<<< is the one diesel model that would be a COMMERCIAL SUCCESS if a properly scaled model were made in 3-rail O scale. Of course, provision for drop-in Kadee coupler conversion would be desirable but any mass produced 3-rail model should come equipped with postwar compatible lobster claws.

And the GE 44 tonner probably offers the opportunity for more prototypically accurate road names and schemes than any other diesel locomotive.

A small sampling of possibilities:

Bob

The GE 45 tonner is another I'd like to have in O.  Bachmann makes one in HO (with DCC) which I own.  It's a very fun locomotive to run with it's side rods and small size.

More GE 45 tonners:

This would be a nice scheme for Atlas to do on their SD40, including the SP nose light package.

That was a beautiful scheme on the 7347. Unfortunately, the unit was destroyed in a wreck in 1985.

Here are some CP units wearing a special Olympics livery:

Bob

UP's torch relay livery as modeled in HO by Overland:

Bob

Another locomotive to wear an Olympic themed livery was Conrail SD40-2 6373 which was painted in recognition of the 1992 road trials of the US Cycling Federation held in Altoona.

Bob

I really can't understand all this discussion of "unusual" diesels, when someone really needs to do an ACCURATE, SCALE SD7 & SD9 in 3-Rail!!!!

Good Day,

The UP Olympic SD70M's would be great!

Regards,

Swafford

DD35Bs in UP, SP or Demonstrator colors.

Since Baldwin was discussed before, here is the 1500 horsepower predecessor of the AS-16, the DRS4-4-1500:

The DRS4-4-1500 was built beginning in 1947 and 35 units were constructed until it was superceded by the more powerful AS-16.

Bob 

I can go for that. Interestingly, I believe the model now in the RailKing line which MTH refers to as the SD9 is closer in appearance to the SD7 by virtue of the inward positioning of the classification lights.

A selection of SD7 units:

Bob

I have looked at those, but I am hoping that MTH will "re-tool" their SD7/SD9 models so as to have fixed pilots & scale wheels for 2-Rail/3-Rail operation. Same goes for their GP9 models, no fixed pilots available, yet.

Here are some SD9s. Note the location of the class lights at the outer edge of the number boards. This is the primary spotting feature between the 9 and the 7 which has the lights positioned inward as illustrated in the set of photographs above.

Another early EMD six motor road switcher was the 1800 horsepower SD18 built from 1960 to 1963. Other than MPC's interpretation, this model has not been produced in three rail O gauge.

Note the use of trucks from retired ALCo units on a few of the units pictured.

Bob  

MTH has offered the SD24 with a high nose; however, EMD built units with a low nose as well. Some of these would be nice:

Bob