Amtrak Loco project

[Madman]

I picked these up on Ebay and am waiting for them to arrive. I am contemplating a single locomotive design. Basically, I'd like to cut them and join the two ends to form a single loco that will have two motor blocks. I don't want it to be too long. The simple solution would be to just cut somewhere in the center of each loco and join the two halves. However, I will loose the pantograph depression if I do. I could just mount the pans on the arched roof anyway by making my own flat area.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301010078039?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301010080148?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

A couple of years ago, one of the members of LGB e Scala "G" forum, modified one of these Amtrak sets extensively, even cutting out all of the windows and adding interior detail, along with a new paint job overall. It turned out to be a magnificent piece. I believe I may have posted the results here.

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts before I take the hack saw out. Vic Smith, I imagine you have some thoughts on this one:thinking:

 

[CoggesRailway]

Hey Dan,
I am looking forward to riding the NE corridor again soon- I am due over your way before long. I like the combination of big wide chrome coaches and a monster electric on the front!

But on this bash... I would cut one unit just beyond the door and the other would lose the articulation system "thing" - and would join the two hence?

I am sure you have done such chopping before. If not, use a hobby razor saw by hand- it is definitely the easy way. And i am not a craftsman like you!

We await the progress photos, Cheers, Ian

 

[Madman]

I was thinking along similar lines. There is a line just behind the door that goes up one side across the roof and down the other side. It does seem like a natural place to cut.

 

[CoggesRailway]

Yes I noticed the line too, have u seen one in the flesh/plastic? Things have a habit of not being simple when you have it on the bench, but seems the natrual option from the picture.

Just saw your PM, I am over in January (so nearly a year this time!!) It would be great to see you, but wouldnt wish to presume... will PM when I have dates....

 

[Madman]

No presumption on your part. Everyone is looking forward to your return.

I have a complete Amtrak set, still in it's box, that I did some work on about ten years ago. Converted it to overhead power, installed a horn, added the extra motor and lights, and bought two more cars for it. It's too much trouble to dig it out and have a look at it. I can wait a few days for the new one to arrive.

I had planned a high speed point to point line in the garden, but the plans were never approved by SWMBO. Then I gave up on catenary operation a few years ago.

Since I have this thing about not running Electrics without overhead wire, I am alittle weird that way, I could build this new one into a diesel. I might paint it into some sort of freight colors, but definitely not Amtrak's MOW orange :bleh:

 

[a98087]

I did somthing vagely along those lines, have a look at:

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=223340&high=playmobil+bash

Just make sure you choose you glue carefully as not all stick to playmobil or lgb plastics,

and measure twice cut once!!

Dan

 

[Madman]

Some photos of my progress so far.  I still need to do a bit of tweeking and detailing.  the body is only sitting on the chassis in the photo.

 

[Madman]

A bit more detail added.  I`m experimenting with lettering schemes.  I don`t like this one. 

 

[Madman]

A bit more work on lettering.  Although at this point the model is still at ten foot away viewing quality.  maybe even eleven feet.  The two dummy units were not in the best of condition when I got them.  I still may decide to repaint the loco altogether.  But I may wait for the critics to have their say first.