Scale GE 44 Ton PS3

Dave...sounds like a great project and I will be following this thread!!

Alan

Hi Dave,

You may want to call MTH and see if/when you can get an S scale PS3 board. They are smaller than the O scale boards, but with higher Amp rating than the HO boards. Sounds like exactly what you want.

Or you could just wait to see if the rumored MTH scale 44 tonner is in the next catalog. My guess is that if they are going to build one that they will be using the new S boards from the factory.

Oh yeah!  This is a great project.  Keep is informed, with lots of pictures!

Looking forward to see her in Paint. TCRR was a cool little line. Now it is a rails to trails.

Wow; something like this project just shows me how much I have to learn. I feel good if I'm able to get a shell off an engine. (LOL).

Keep the photos coming Dave.

You may want to call MTH and see if/when you can get an S scale PS3 board.

Actually, one of the first uses of the S gauge board will be in MTH's 44 Ton O gauge loco, due out next year.

Having never heard of the Turtle Creek RR, I had to visit Google.  Came up with this:

(I LOVE that little turtle logo on the cab!)

Barry, today isn't April 1.  Are you serious about this?

Stuart

Allan,

That is the paint job she is going to get.

Dave

Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4p3IP1GKWU

Off to the paint shop.

Dave

Complete with turtle?   

Allan,

The artwork is done.

Stuart,

Are you serious about this?

Absolutely, as per my conversation with a certain MTH vice-president last week.

Noisy little bugger!

What RR are you going to paint her for?

Where's the smoke?

I may need to copy your work. I want sound in my trackmobile!

Smoke too???? maybe not yet..... I wonder how a HO scale smoke unit would fit?

Do they run at the same voltage?

That is seriously cool, Dave.

All right!  You da man, Dave! 

Allan; it should be "Honu" not turtle.

Could very well be.  I sure saw enough of them back in the day.  I just took the railroad's rendition as a somewhat generic turtle.

In Western Pennsylvania, we don't know a turtle from a Honu, from a tortoise from a terrapin.  But we know as the Pittsburgh Penguins announcer says, "Call Arnold Slick from Turtle Crick"

Dave, This is a good project, and I like the paint scheme and logo.

Have you considered the ERR Mini Commander 2?  It's the board used in the Lionel HHP-8 Amtrak set locomotive, and it pulls a few passenger cars with no problem.  It's a lot smaller than the O-gauge PS/3 board.  The bonus with the PS/3 board is you get sound without adding another board.

Hello Dave

In your video,  I spotted the URR caboose behind the 44 tonner.  Did you scratchbuild it or did someone else?  I would love to have a couple of them.  Any leads would be appreciated.  I watched the Urr dump many ladles of slag at Browns reserve when growing up and also watched the URR interchange cars with the Montour,  P&WV,  N&W,  at Mifflin Junction.  I also worked as a machinist at USS Homestead Works from

1973-1983.  They used to park the hot metal "subs" outside the back wall of one of our shops corrugated steel buildings and the paint would just get blistered off the walls from the heat.

Regards,

Nick

Nick,

The URR caboose was built by Malcolm Byrd aka brotherlove here on the forum.  I personally own two of his scratch builds and love them both.

John,

Considered that but opted for the filet over a burger.

Dave

Dave,

Thanks for responding. I will have to make it up to your shop and meet you in the near future-your modeling skill are impressive to say the least-especially with the steel mill and the tow boat scenes.

Thanks,

Nick

The Turtle Creek Railroad was a branch line (Industrial Line for Westinghouse supplies) off the Pensy RR that ran about 20 miles in length.  

 Allan nice picture of the 44 tonner.

 Dave keep the pictures coming great project. 

Jack

That 44 tonner resides right  here in Murrysville or Export,PA.

I see it just about every time that I go for a ride in that direction.

Dave,why did you do the Turtle Creek scheme?

Incientally,this creek,which has trout in it,echoes back to General Braddock's defeat,Pontiac's Uprising,and the days of Ft. Pitt.

Norm Rish

PS--Dave,TAS put TMCC and EOB in mine.  

I think this will be a HUGE success for MTH. Hope they also offer an "undecorated" version. Yea! and Yippi!

Dave G.

If you want to see this little 44 tonner in person,it is easy to do.  Exit Rt.22 in Murrysville at the Cosy Inn Cutoff and proceed east on old Rt.22. to Export.  You'll see it about 2 miles down the road on the right side.  At that point it is easiest to just turn around and go back to 22,though there are some side streets that go to 22.

Norm

I just hope it is available with Proto 3/2 scale wheels and Kadee coupler pads.

Here's a link to some neat photos of the original Turtle Creek (no trains in this one though).

http://coalandcoke.blogspot.co...of-pennsylvania.html

Hadn't seen it mentioned, but Williams by Bachmann also has announced a 44 ton GE diesel loco.  Of course, it will not have any type of command control because Bachman has not worked out an agreement with Lionel and MTH does not license other manufacturers for DCS.  But, I'm told that there is enough room inside the little engine to be able to fit some small units on board.

Incidentally, the Turtle Creek engine is not a 44 ton GE diesel but rather a 45 ton engine.  The exterior difference is primarily that the 45 ton has only two traction motors and has side rods to power the remaining axle on each truck.  The 44 ton has four small traction motors and no exterior connections between the axles.

The reason that the rather odd number of 44 tons was the chosen for engine size on these little workhorses was that at the time they were built federal railroad regulations exempted operators from having the required fireman aboard on engines of less than 45 tons gross weight.  Of course this regulation was lifted in more recent years and almost all engines, mainline, short line or industrial, are operated without the former fireman, today.  When there are two persons present in the cab, one is generally the conductor of the train.

Paul Fischer

Yes, when I saw what he is doing with the Rich Yoder model, I immediately approached Dave about doing a DCS conversion/upgrade of the Williams by Bachmann model when it comes out (currently scheduled for December, but we all know how that goes).  I want that project as a how-to for the magazine.  

And, of course, I haven't forgotten about the model that MTH itself is going to have in the next catalog, but I kind of have a feeling the actual release is liable to be at least a full year or more in the future.  In any event, if I'm still on the upside of the dirt when it comes out, you can be sure there will be one or more added to my roster (repainted into U.S. Army livery, most likely, since that would be a fairly easy paint scheme to do).

By the way, Dave, you got that Turtle Creek gem painted yet?  It has been almost a full workday since you started the project, after all!  

Primer

Okay, pal.  I know you have an operating session at your home layout tonight, so I'll allow one more day to get those finish coats on, plus an extra bit of time for the lettering and logo.      

I'm continually amazed at how much you and some others here are able to get accomplished in such a short time.  I wish I had just one tiny bit of that kind of talent and motivation.

Yes Allan and Dave, I was thinking OGR article as I started reading this thread.  while I doubt I would ever own a 44/45 Tonner, it would be mighty interesting to see how you go about a project like this with a few photos.  Thanks for providing information for the most novice of train buffs to those who really dig into the mechanics and electronics!  Well rounded, is what I would call it!!

She is in the paint booth today.

Ah!  She is shaping-up nicely!  

Having spent a good chunk of my childhood (and through the area many times in adulthood) in the Murrysville/Export/Delmont area, I've seen the prototype and her sister engines many times.  They also had a caboose painted in their colors parked at the end of the line near White Valley, but it was moved or removed and haven't seen it in a couple of years.

Here are several other links to fan pages with photos (including photos of their other engines):

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Even though I'm not a diesel fan, I would love to have models of all of these engines (and the caboose).  It would be a fun short line to model.

Andy

Dave,

Looking good! Can't wait to see finished loco. I'm with Allan, that should be in  the early evening today.

Malcolm

I would also love to see this become an OGR article. 

Andy