The coolest locomotive that never was - ACE3000 project help needed

In my opinion,,,,,,,,,forget it. In order to have one, or three, scratch built/custom made would cost many, MANY thousands of dollars, each.

@Hot Water posted:

In my opinion,,,,,,,,,forget it. In order to have one, or three, scratch built/custom made would cost many, MANY thousands of dollars, each.

welp i guess that idea is dead before it begins just like the real ACE3000

NOT a good thing to hear for someone who's been dealing with SEVERE depression for the past 3 months

Keep your chin up buddy, it's just a model train. I hope you feel better soon.

Hey Cody, I've been model railroading steadily for the last 20 years.  I had never heard of the ACE 3000 so they must be a well kept secret/idea.  I just read up on the history of it, very interesting.  Thanks for enlightening me (and others) to the topic. 

Ditto , Cody….easy to say but not so easy to do….I do not have major dollars…started looking at Williams trains…they are realistic for what I got and affordable for what I have…..good luck, we all could use some good vibrations

https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/ACE_3000

Maybe the body could be 3D printed.

I remember hearing about it, back in the 70's, maybe as an answer  to opec and the oil prices, but I didnt think  it got past the concept stage, like atomic engines . That was a long time ago.

Would you settle for a relettered C&O 4-8-4?

Jon

@KOOLjock1 posted:

Would you settle for a relettered C&O 4-8-4?

Jon

yeah i could if i could find a railking one

@KOOLjock1 posted:

Would you settle for a relettered C&O 4-8-4?

Jon

I see what you did there!

@paigetrain posted:

One locomotive that i would love to have for the Fenix Pacific would be an ACE 3000

We were so close to getting one from 3rd rail in fact if i Had the money i wouldve reserved 2 of them but sadly just like the prototype the project was canceled and i was very sad

my question would be how could i have one made from brass or another metal in traditional o gauge so they fit an o-36 curve. in fact i want 3 with ERR for copper ore and coal service on the Fenix Pacific

any ideas are appreciated OR should i forget it

Cody,

I would say your best bet is to do it yourself.  If you can source some f45 style body shells and marry them one to a railking size 4-8-2 and the other to a frame with 6 axle trucks you would have a great start.  The side details would have to be hand modeled or 3d printed.

If you don't already have it, look for a copy of "The Red Devil and other Tales from the Age of Steam."  This will lead you down a long and interesting rabbit hole on steam locomotive technical development, especially outside the USA.  The ACE trials are documented at the end of the book. 

I think making a version of this would be a great project for you.  Frankensteining parts into a working locomotive of your design, detail work, painting, are all part of this hobby.  Around my tree right now I have a lionel Pennsy steam engine from the spirit of 76 set pulling a few coaches.  Through some trial and error I ended on installing a can motor in place of the original open frame motor, and electronic reverse unit, and one the most important features to me, an on/off switch for the smoke unit.  None of these thing were expensive in the toy train world, although I already had the engine.  I know budget is an issue for you - so to use inspiration from another forum member - SCROUNGE!.  Get to a show, hobby shop, ebay, whatever.  Find something that works but is ugly or that you can repair.  You can have your version of the ACE 3000, but it's gonna take some sweat equity to get it.

Good luck, and if you take on this project be sure to document it with nice photos along the way.  OGR might run a story on it for you!