Large Scale Central

Alco RS-11 Build

Modeling
#1

Hi Guys, I wanted to kit bash something that would look good running with a RS-3 and I choose a RS-11 because of being very similar to a GP-9 but with Alco parts and pieces. After getting a set of drawings and scaling them up to 1/29th scale, I acquired the two locomotives that would make this bash possible. First photo shows the plans, and necessary locomotive parts to get this project started.

The first step was to cut up the RS-3 frame and get the bolster mounting plates so that they could be mounted to the bottom of the GP-9 frame. This was done because the position of the trucks had to be moved to their proper location. After the plates were glued I used a forsner bit to drill out the bottom of the frame to match the plates. After a little filing the trucks were mounted. The second photo shows the bolster plates glued in their new location.

The third photo shows the new hole location from the inside, you can see the old single hole to the right.

The last photo shows a side view of the locomotive with the trucks mounted and the center portion of the lower frame cut away per the drawing.

Next time I’ll show the progress of cutting on the shell and inserting the front and rear portions of the RS-3 into the GP-9. Chuck

#2

Cool project!

#3

Yet another in the long line of “Why hasn’t any manufacturer made this one yet?” Nice so far. Good luck with it.

#4

Chuck, you’ve got a good eye for piecing things together. Can’t wait to see how this progresses.
Dave

#5

I’m waiting to see the Alco “notches” on the long and short hoods.
A sure sign she’s an Alco… :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
I guess this means you don’t want to trade for my RS3, huh?
Good job!!

#6

Thanks for the comments guys. The next portion of the build required some cutting and gluing. Luckily the width of the GP-9 shell and the RS-3 shell are very close in size so I could remove sections of the RS-3 and place them in the areas needed on the GP-9 shell. The first and second pictures shows the grille section and the nose piece of the RS-3 on the frame.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/IMG_6764_1_1.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/IMG_6765_1_1.JPG)

The third picture shows the scribed lines on the nose of the GP-9 shell that will be cut out. It’s nice to have a full shop to work in. These pieces cut every easy on my table saw so I get nice straight cuts with very little fitting before gluing them in place.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/IMG_6766_1_1.JPG)

The forth and fifth pictures shows the pieces fitted and glued onto the GP-9 shell. You’ll notice that the door detail was left on the grille section and all the detail was removed from the nose section. Thats because only the grille section has a door, the nose section will get brake wheel detail similar to a SD45.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/IMG_6769_1_1.JPG)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/IMG_6773_1_1.JPG)

The final picture is a side view of the existing modifications. I have some filling, sanding, and cutting to do before I can fit the grilles into place. As you can see from the clamp I wanted everything to dry good before I start hacking on it again.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/IMG_6768_1_1.JPG)

There is still along way to go but at least you can get the general idea that it’s starting to look like an Alco. Next I’ll be working on the famous Alco nose detail. I have to make a few decisions here to form the angles and proper look. BTW want is everyone using for body filler? Chuck

#7

Chuck, very nice work… when it’s all done, you should put All the pictures and comments together and place it into the ““Articles”” section of the forum…

Will be a joy to watch as you progress…

#8

Looking really good so far. Nice choice in prototypes.

#9

Aahhhh…refreshing…another diesel build!!!
:slight_smile:

#10

Chuck Nice job. I am using squadron green putty. Hold over from my “ho” days.

#11

Looking good Chuck. Nice choice. Bondo and Micro Fil are two that I use

#12

I use automotive spot putty. I also sometimes use an epoxy putty called “KwikPlastic”, which is made by JB Weld. It’s nice stuff, easy to use, strong, can be carved and sanded.

#13

Hey Chuck, just wondering how you scaled your drawings. I got some of Will’s E9 drawings, but I never got them printed.

#14

Chris…I scale drawings for R/C airplanes all the time. Take your original and measure a known dimension on the drawing and calculate the “scale” of the drawing you have. Then you can calculate the % of enlargement required to bring it up/down to the scale you want. Bring that number to a good printer and have it enlarged/shrunk to the proper size.

Do not let them tell you it is a violation of copyright…It is not. Copyright law specifically allows for the duplication/enlargement of a copywrited image for the purpose of “pattern making/modeling”.

Forgot to add…This is one cool bash!

#15

Hey Chris,

I use a program called “Scale Print” from Raildriver. It allows you to take any drawing that you can scan into your computer and lets you scale it to what ever scale you are working in. The trick is marking a known dimension which can be tricky sometimes. Then you just print it out and tape all the sections together.

The copies don’t always come out as clear as the originals, but its still a great starting point. I’ve done several other projects this way and will see if I can find the pictures and post them.

Chuck

#16

Any progress Chuck ?

#17

Hey Dave finally got back to my project today. The last several weeks have been taken up with yard clean-up, getting ready for an appraisal on our house, and my daughter having her baby. It’s a boy and it’s the 8th grand child to our clan.

Got all the raised detail sanded off the shell today and filled in some areas with styrene. Working on the curved roof area and the nose pieces. No pictures yet. More to come.

Chuck

#18

Chuck, congrats on being a grandad, again…

#19
Chuck Inlow said:
Hey Dave finally got back to my project today. The last several weeks have been taken up with yard clean-up, getting ready for an appraisal on our house, and my daughter having her baby. It's a boy and it's the 8th grand child to our clan.

Chuck


That sounds like progress to me , congratulations on the grandson. Make sure you raise him as a proper train lover. :slight_smile:

#20
Chuck Inlow said:
The last several weeks have been taken up with yard clean-up, getting ready for an appraisal on our house,

Chuck


You movin’?