Large Scale Central

Finding prototype photos of our models

Prototypes
#1

In some cases this can be a daunting task. I got it in my head that I want to build a Roster page for my railroad. This means that anything not lettered for the original railroad would need to have a source, and it would be nice if there was a source photo. I started by looking for a DR&GW 3000 series box car to use as the source for my “data only” AMS boxcar that will be lettered for the CVSRy. With some help from the fine folks here as LSC, I finally settled on car 3016 currently at the C&TS. In my made up history, the CVSRy purchased 3016 from the C&TS and restored it to operating condition. Here’s 3016 being used as storage on the C&TS…

Finding prototypes for Bachman locomotives so far has not been so easy. I spent all day today researching 45 Ton diesels. GE made zillions of them in numerous configurations. Very few photos come close to the Bachman version. My research led me to the Skaneateles Short Line as being Bachman’s prototype. #7 was the last 45 tonner built by GE in 1959. I really thought by the look that it was an earlier one. Here is the only prototype photo I can find…

I finally found several others with the same characteristics - I looked for headlight placement, railing configuration, side rods, fuel tank and pilot. All are 45 Ton IV’s. One each on -A, -B2 and -B4. Most look to be standard gauge, so as part of restoration, CVSRY shops will need to re-gauge them to 36". You will get to see the photos when I begin to publish my roster :slight_smile:

#2

I always thought it was odd that Bachmann chose to produce the last 45 tonner.
It would have made much more sense to produce one of the early, low hood models, considering the rest of their large scale offerings.
Ralph

#3

Publication of my roster has begun. For starters I’m posting it on Facebook. You can check it out at facebook.com/CVSRy. The back-story for the 3016 photo was finalized as… #153 was originally Denver & Rio Grande 3000 Series boxcar #3016. Built by the Denver & Rio Grande in 1904 it was extensively rebuilt by the Denvver & Rio Grande Western in 1924 at Alamosa, Colorado. Shown here in 2007 being used as storage by the Friends of the Cumbers & Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama, New Mexico. Subsequently sold to and restored by the Candlewood Valley Scenic Railway as #153. And I settled on a blue 45 Tonner as the origin of M-10…

(http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578753_10150842197820610_167706565609_12286949_1406874183_n.jpg)

Dresser Transportation Equipment #D-20-P-3 is shown here at Depew, NY in 1964. Sold to Kovalchick Salvage in 1977. Purchased in 2005 by the Candlewood Valley Scenic Railway. Restored in the CVSRy shops, she emerged as CVSRy M-10 in 2006. — in Depew, New York.

#4

My latest quest has been or prototype photos of the AMS tank-on-flat. I believe these are probably modeled after the CONOCO tanks on the D&RGW but days of Google searches has come up empty.

Do any of these still exist in a museum anywhere? There are lots of examples of the framelss and steel frame tanks around, but no mentions of the tank-on-flat.

Unfortunately I don’t own any Colorado narrow gauge books, which would probably help.

#5

Jon,

To the best of my knowlege none still exist. They represent the Conoco tanks as you summised but none are the actual prototype as every car was different as they were used tanks when constucted and every tank was a little different. most photo’s i have seen are from a distance. these cars didnt last much past the fourties if i remember correctly and were replaced by the frameless style cars. for the most part this series were used on the C&S and predicesor lines.

#6

WP&Y 52 is close http://www.whitepassfan.net/whitepass/rolling-stock/freight-cars/tank-car/tank-car-50---65.html

#7

Thanks Al, I figured as much. Bob - That may do. There are a bunch of pictures of them around, and there are more than one which would fit my current of two roster perfectly :slight_smile: Thanks! Nice history on that site too. Great link; Thanks!

(http://www.whitepassfan.net/whitepass/images/dsc02370c_450.jpg)

#8

Updating another old thread. My Facebook Roster Album project got off to a good start but stalled when the weather improved. Who wants to be sitting at a computer when you can be outside playing trains ?

I never did get around to writing a back-story for my tank cars, but yesterday I did manage to come up with one for an AMS D&RGW gondola.

One change I made since this thread was started almost a year ago was to include a back story for original road cars as well. This was pretty easy with EBT cars since I own a lot of the books and know where to research. Not so much with the Colorado and California narrow gauge lines. I got some research help here on LSC in another thread.

I know a lot of you don’t do Facebook, so now that we have Albums here on LSC I have duplicated it here: C.V.S.Ry. Equipment Roster

#9

Jon,

I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a car that I found only one out of focus picture in a book.

All of my books are western NG/logging/mining etc. And even with that, sometimes you cannot find a pic or “history” of the particular model you would like to build.

But that’s what makes the hobby fun.

BTW, your link doesn’t work for me.

#10

John Bouck said:

BTW, your link doesn’t work for me.

Thanks John. Once again I forgot to remove the http:// from a URL when using a tag. It’s fixed now.

#11

Sorry to warm up an old topic, but I, too, have searched for prototype pix of the 45-tonner. I just noticed that neither of them seems to have any brake hoses visible. Did these lines not have air brakes?

Regards,

Peter.

#12

If the railroad in question is a common carrier, then it has to comply with the Railroad safety Appliance Act of 1893. That act required the use of Knuckle couplers and air brakes.

If the railroad is simply a mining or logging railroad, that isn’t a common carrier, then they might not have air brakes.

#13

Good question and answer. I guess I need to add air hoses next time she is in the shop!