Railmaster Alcos?

Dave

 

The railmaster kits had a northyard drive available from railmaster. Peter Vanvliet has a construction article on his pmrr.org web site about the RS1

 

Alternatively Jim King of Smoky Mountain Model Works is working with NWSL to produce stanton drive trucks for S scale. Gilmaur may also produce an etched brass RS1 kit later in the year. The gilmaur RS1 will use Jim's trucks or American Models trucks for power

 

Hope that helps

 

Colin Stewart

Inverness, Scotland

 

 

The Railmaster S-2 kit that I had showed a lot of potential. Having assembled several of Railmaster's Sn3 narrow gauge steam offerings, I expected a nice kit.

 

Unfortunately, I had one of the last North Yard chassis for it and there's no other way to say it: It stunk.  No flywheels, stiff rubber tube "U-joints", poor quality on the trucks, and a cogging motor.  Terrible runner. 

 

The RM/NY combo was supposed to scratch my Alco S-2 itch when I was in S scale... but it was just not worth the considerable effort and expense it would have taken to essentially build a new chassis and come up with a new truck of some type.

Thus, I went into the market for an unpainted OMI S-2 and I was years before one showed up, I ended up spending $500 for it... and my KC Lines layout actually needed several S-2's. 

 

S scale needs a good, affordable, Alco S series switcher.

 

NOTE: The North Yard chassis is no longer available, and the RM S-2 kit is out of stock last I saw.

Thanks for the info guys.  I've never seen one of the North Yard drives. Apparently they have problems so I'm wondering if an SHS switcher drive could be adapted to the S-2 body? I'll take a look at the stanton drive but as a rule I don't like small truck mounted motors...DaveB

Dave,
You might consider modifying an HO chassis.  I started on a freelance S scale loco using the drivetrain from an Atlas HO scale loco.  The truck sideframe is from a SMMW 44 tonner.

    Thanks OG.  Yeah I might have to make a drive. I'll look at all the options before deciding .If I model a bit earlier era I could use a SMMW GE 70 tonner instead of an

AlcoS-2, or if I model a bit later era I can use an American Models GP18. The Alco was used on the CCT during the 60's which is kinda when I'd like to model the line.......DaveB 

>> I've never seen one of the North Yard drives.
Apparently they have problems

 

I have three locos (RS-3s) with the North Yard drive and they are among the best drives ever.  Run smooth and quiet even after long periods of storage.  Which is more than can be said for the brass imports, in general.  I think the quality matter arose as the long time Owner became ill and someone else did some work for him toward the end.  Forgot all the details, but I am extremely happy with mine.  Not all North Yard's are created equal it would appear.  Ed L.

  Thanks, Ed.   Maybe I just need to find an older S-2 kit? I'd actually prefer to power it with an SHS drive if possible since they are easy to get and maintain......DaveB

Photos of the locos and drivetrains...probably 20 years back when they were furnished with NWSL/Sagami motors and NWSL gear towers:

 

 

The new drives are custom made by North Yard:

 

 

Ed,

Which motor/gear combo do your locos use?

 

 

 

"Photos of the locos and drivetrains...probably 20 years back when they were furnished with NWSL/Sagami motors and NWSL gear towers:"

 

   Thanks for the photos. If I can find one with a drive like that would it be a good runner? Does anyone know if the SHS switcher drive can be used in one of the S-2 bodies? How do the truck wheel base compare?  ......DaveB

>> Ed, Which motor/gear combo do your locos use?

 

I hate to sound stupid, but I have no idea.  I just purchased the standard North Yard drive at the time.  I did not know about various motors and gears.  All this was maybe 15 years ago or so.  Memory fades.  I can say they look like the pictures you posted recently.  A medium-sized Sagami is used, however mine have u-joints instead of rubber tubing.  Ed L.

May be an option :

http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/

An SHS drive?   Looks like it might be close. The SHS drive has 8' wheel base trucks mounted about 22.5 feet apart and a drawing of an S2 scales about 8' and 22 feet bolster to bolster. The SHS has sideframes that look like Alco S4 photos so I'd need to find some S2 sideframes to adapt to the trucks. Still hoping to find someone who has already done this so I could know if it's possible or a waste of time? ...DaveB

Hi Dave:

 

I explored the possibility when I was in S scale. Two items I definitely recall:

 

* The SHS motor is way too wide.  You will have to go to a different motor in order to fit inside the RM S-2 pewter body.

 

* You will need to fabricate a sheet frame as well as new bolsters made to fit the SHS truck mounting system.

 

The question mark (can't remember what I decided) was modifying the trucks to accept the RM S-2 Blunt truck side frames. I can't recall if the SHS truck side frame casting is integral with the assembly in that it holds it all together and if that's so, can't remember if the side frame castings can be removed retaining the snap-on portion to hold the truck assembly together.  I "think" I recall that the side frame casting holds the gears truck halves together and/or the gears in place.  Just can't remember. Sorry.

 

You will NOT be able to use the SHS frame, for the entire frame (walkways, pilots, steps, et al) is a pot-metal casting and IS the frame that receives the motor/trucks. That is, there isn't a sub-frame chassis that fits under a plastic shell.

Thanks Andre,   I have an SHS switcher drive out in my workshop, I'll check it out better tomorrow. I've never tried to take the trucks apart.....DaveB 

Dave,

After nearly one one month since my initial contact with Jeff at Railmaster Hobbies in California, my order finally arrived.  The new S scale Stanton drives from NWSL and Smoky Mountain Model Works should be ideal for powering this loco.

 

 

OG:

Ah... but at least you RECEIVED one!  Perhaps that's a good thing for S scale?

"After nearly one one month since my initial contact with Jeff at Railmaster Hobbies in California, my order finally arrived"

 

     Wow, the kit looks very nice. Are those brass handrail stanchions on top? ...DaveB 

Dave,

Yes, they are brass handrail stanchions.

Additional photos of the kit will follow this evening.

 

Railmaster Alco S2/S4 loco kit parts and instructions:

 

 

No truck side frames ? 

 

Jeff could not locate Blunt sideframes.  Northwest Short Line and Smoky Mountain Model Works plan to offer S scale Stanton drives with Blunt sideframes which I plan to purchase to power the loco.

 

Here's a link to a detailed construction piece on the Railmaster RS-1 kit:

http://www.pmrr.org/Equipment/RS1/index.htm

 

 

 

When ?? Sounds not good for me....sorry

Read the thread I posted on February 2 in the S Scale Forum....or contact Smoky Mountain Model Works....or Northwest Short Line.

If you are looking for S2 Blunt Trucks for O Scale 2-Rail, try Mike Calvert at Gilmaur in England.

 

Several years ago, he quoted me by email a set of "White Metal" Blunt Trucks with Bolsters & Sideframes (undrilled/unmounted)at $70 + s/h/p.  At that time he also quoted the same S2 Blunt Trucks in 260 Brass for $90.  If I remember correctly, s/h/p costs were not included at that time.

 

BTW, I remember "Old Goat" past comments and this msg is intended to help all Modelers, not only Old Goats...