URR Buffalo Update 9/26/2016

David Minarik posted:

The US Steel's Union Railroad, URR, had locomotives called Buffalos that were AS616s and SD9s grafted together.

They really weren't "grafted together". Many railroads sent their non-EMD locomotives into LaGrange for complete re-engining by EMD. The "project" included replacement of the original prime mover & main generator, replacement with an appropriate EMD roots blown prime mover & main generator, appropriated electrical control modifications, and in many cases a complete EMD long hood assembly with cooling system.

 I've been working on this for the last few days.  I am currently waiting on brass details from PS.  I have a new respect for scratch builders who build cars or locomotives.

Very cool project! Can't wait to see the finished model.

Dave

 

Dave,

That looks superb! You had better keep it hidden from someone we both know, he has been wanting one for a while now.

Malcolm

Malcolm,

I can remember the first time I tried to buff an aluminum piece on one of my bikes.  Half way through the process, I took it to my chrome guy and told him, he didn't charge enough.

And so I say to you: 'you don't charge enough!'  but wait until AFTER my next set of cabs lol

Dave

How long did the URR use them ??  They must have been desperate for power.

Really nice. Would love to have one, always liked things different. Please tell us more of the how it was done . 

Lee

Very cool!

Lee,  

She sure is an ugly duckling.  

I used two older MTH shells (with the walkway attached to the body).  The SD9 had to be cut from the frame and lifted.  The front half is an AS616.  The hood was chopped and I scratch built the windows. (which took 4 tries)  The sloped transition between the two is just plastic.

I filled in the fan openings and will replace them with the correct fans from Precision Scale.  The pilots are fixed with kadee couplers and some other goodies from PS.

Electronics will be MTH PS3.

Dave

She is not ugly she is beautiful. Nice job so far Dave...............Paul

Here is a little update on the URR buffalos. I got the brass details yesterday and installed some. I still have to do the stanchions, railings and pilot details. I also had to lengthen the frame and move the motor mounts forward 3/4" to close the gap between the pilot and the trucks. This required a bit of welding. I might be able to decal a bit today. Overall, I think it will turn out OK.

The extra length makes it look better.

Real nice...while your at it make center driver the blind one or add full wheel with flanges on the end. Just for the way cool......

Thanks for the info. They wee used before I got in to serious railfaning. I have taken a lot of video & stills of the Bessemer=I live near the southern mainline. The Union. not so much.

Dave was working on this model last week as I entered the store, Looks even better in person, cant wait to see the finished product

"I think it will turn out OK," Dave says. Ha! Everything I've seen the man do turns out one helluva lot better than "OK."

I don't think it's ugly at all, just the opposite. Very nice job. The background setting is great too.

Don

I worked a bit on the pilots tonight.

I also added a PS3 board

It makes a unique locomotive. But it doesn't have the unique Baldwin sound!    [yeah I know, EMD engine]

The prime mover is EMD.  Somewhere out there in internet world, there is a sound clip of a buffalo.  I thought it sounded like an F unit, so that is the file I loaded.  

Dave

Dave,

That turned out great! Your work area looks just as organized as mine does.

Malcolm

Malcolm,

Hey man, I cleaned it up for the photo! lol

Dave

As usual Dave, stellar work! Very cool prototype too!

Here is a little update. 

Looking good.  Needs dirtied up some, though.  I remember being in Sharon Steel before they reopened and saw some parked diesels. I think they were ALCOs. Correct ??  Didn't take photos.

It came out very nice. Paint looks perfect with just the right amount of wear and tear...just like the photos you were working from.....imho !!!!!!!!!!!

RAD!

Gorgeous!! Love these things, very unique. Maybe you want to whip up a few more and put them up for sale? Lol

Now that is slick Dave!

Thanks everybody!   I'm a little burned out on this one.

Dave, I really loved the scene and track work.

Ron H

David Minarik posted:

Thanks everybody!   I'm a little burned out on this one.

You may be burned out, but you generated one fine looking piece of motive power there. 

Great looking work like this definitely showcases 3RS.  Would love to see more photos of your railroad.  Did OGR ever do an article on your railroad?  If not, they sure as heck should. 

Great Job Sir!

Regards,

Jerry

OGR hangs out at his store.

gnnpnut posted:

David Minarik posted:

Thanks everybody!   I'm a little burned out on this one.

You may be burned out, but you generated one fine looking piece of motive power there. 

Great looking work like this definitely showcases 3RS.  Would love to see more photos of your railroad.  Did OGR ever do an article on your railroad?  If not, they sure as heck should. 

Great Job Sir!

Regards,

Jerry

 

Jerry,

The layout was in the last OGR dvd #12.

A very old version of the layout was in the magazine quite a few years ago.

There are some good shots on the Mercer Junction Facebook page as well.

Dave

Bumping this up as I was just watching some Buffalo action on Youtube and wondering if anyone had kitbashed one for O... I should have known it would be David Minarik. Wonderful!