Southern Pacific, the 'Slim Princess'

Tim Brien

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29 May 2011
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I have a few LGB Southern Pacific rolling stock and thought that a S.P. train would be appropriate. Locomotive is currently under construction based on S.P. #18. I am awaiting purchase of an undec Bachmann annie, so loco is on hold.

We start with S.P. 467. This is the "drover's" caboose that LGB released just prior initial tits up. Next is S.P. 400. The last two photographs are of the two stages of S.P. 401. In 1952, SP #401 had a clerestory roof. Alas, due lack of maintenance, the car was allowed to deteriorate and a worker fell through the roof. The car was rebuilt with a pitched flat roof.

All cars built using Bachmann parts. SP #401 looks like a simple combine, but in fact no parts from a combine were used in its construction. Time will see progress on these units. Interior is an unknown. Earlier SP cars had longitudinal bench seating. I will simply build an interior to suit my tastes. I am basing my 'model' on published photographs as regards smokestack/toilet vent locations to place the interior layout. One thing that I noticed is that detailed scale brass models seem to bear little resemblance to original prototypes and cannot be used as a basis for a model.

The narrow-gauge Southern Pacific is often neglected in the modelling world. It survived up until the late 1950's and like many other railroads was undone by improvements in road transport.

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Tim Brien

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Just to show the versatility of the Bachmann car kits, I started this project today. I took out the LGB rubber scale rule and decided on the dimensions for this car. It is freely based on Sandy River & Rangley Lakes #551. Just something different to run with my Forneys.

The car is made from a combine kit and the endwall from another kit. The cupola is too high but will suffice. It comes from an ealy MDC (nee Piko) caboose kit). Laminated curved strips made up to support the curved roof, yet to be fitted. I will laminate three 0.030" styrene sheets to make up the roof.

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Rhinochugger

Retired Oik
27 Oct 2009
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As you can see from my avatar - I have the loco !

It's at 1:20.3 though, and is really only an approximation, not an accurate model.
 

Tim Brien

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I have built the loco superstructure, plus the whaleback tender. I am awaiting an Anniversary drive to complete it. I do like the S.P. steam locomotives.
 

beavercreek

Travel, Art, Theatre, Music, Photography, Trains
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A very interesting kit-bash Tim. These look very good indeed.
 

Tim Brien

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Steve,
many thanks, I have bookmarked Ray's site. Looks like the car had become more a gangers support car than for carrying passengers.
 

Don Gilham

Model railways, Photography, anything lazy
28 May 2011
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Tim, those are excellent !!! :clap:
 

Richie

Rio Grande Railroad , Mountain biking , Gardening
24 Oct 2009
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Very nice kit bashing Tim :clap:
 

royale

G scale and driving my Royale Sabre kit car
26 Oct 2009
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Great work, Tim - an inspired piece of modelling.
 

Tim Brien

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One more example of the versatile Bachmann car kits. Built last year, this is Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes #553. It features a reasonably accurate interior. Alas, it has not come close enough to the paint pot to get finished.

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funandtrains

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I pretty sure I have an artical on these cabosses somewhere but where is the big question, I've a feeing that there was an artical in the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette with some interior photos in one of the magazines over the past 2 or 3 years.
 

Tim Brien

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Some progress on S.R.&R.L. #551. The Sandy River combines were known for their squat cupolas. Alas, the MDC cupola is not as squat as I would like, but not worth the effort to modify.

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