Large Scale Central

I blame Bart, a rainy winters day bash

Modeling
#1

So after some prompting from a certain LSC member, won’t mention any names (cough Bart cough) A few pictures were shared back and forth a while back, and it was of a loco begging to be bashed. This has sat on the back burner for some time awaiting parts. A while back I was in search of a Bachmann 45 tonner cab, but also during that was offered an almost complete 45 tonner, plus a few odds and end parts from a scrapped loco, so after sitting on them for a while along with a set of old Bachmann shay trucks, the time has come to do something with it. Here is a pic of the prototype, a shop built diesel using a Shay locomotive frame and trucks, and adding a 400 hp cummins diesel. it used the fuel bunker from the shay as the rear hood, even leaving the sand hoppers intact

so today I dug out the parts and put it together, I do not have a spare shay frame as the one I have will be used in future in building another shay, so I will be using the Bachmann 45 ton frame, just be adding end beams to it to resemble that of a shay. Here it is sitting together. it won’t be a big puller as one of the trucks has suffered split gear syndrome, but will work for pulling a few disconnects around, and if it strips, I will double head it with another loco

plans in the works are to scratch a new “bunker” for the second hood, and a few frame mods including building truck mounts.

#2

I love how nothing goes to waste in modeling or even 1:1. What an odd thing to turn a shay into a diesel switcher but why not. Guys must have been sitting in the shop drinking gin and went “you know what. . . I bet we . . .”

#3

Interesting!..(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#4

double post

#5

Great project Aaron,

I have seen several examples in the 1:1 world of steam drives converted to diesel power.

Here is one example I had on hand a 24 ton Heisler built in 1927 repowered with a Murphy Diesel probably in the 1940’s

Loco is still operational.

#6

It almost makes sense to use a steam engine with a drive-line (driveshaft) as the basis for a diesel conversion. Almost, but not quite, since steam rules.

#7

Rick Marty said:

Great project Aaron,

I have seen several examples in the 1:1 world of steam drives converted to diesel power.

Here is one example I had on hand a 24 ton Heisler built in 1927 repowered with a Murphy Diesel probably in the 1940’s

Loco is still operational.

I was wondering if this heisler was still around. Crossed my mind to build a heisler or two using some Bachmann 10 wheeler wheelsets, and using a couple pair to possibly build this one

#8

Devon Sinsley said:

I love how nothing goes to waste in modeling or even 1:1. What an odd thing to turn a shay into a diesel switcher but why not. Guys must have been sitting in the shop drinking gin and went “you know what. . . I bet we . . .”

Yep, that comment was probably made right before a second comment that went “hold my beer and watch this” hahaha

#9

I’m thinking North West Short line may sell replacement gears for the Bachmann trucks. Not sure ,but I think I heard that. Bachmann only sells the complete assembly.

#10

Cool project.

#11

That is a neat project.

#12

Anything “Shay” immediately gets my interest up! Great project.

#13

Aaron, I have not had that type of truck apart, but have fixed Aristocraft split gears. If it is split parallel to the shaft, and you can get it apart, it is possible to surround the split with either a brass tube of a tight fit, or a heavy spring on the shaft. I found the spring easier to get on the shaft as you can turn it to loosen it as you push it on. I happen to have a lot of springs laying around. (Don’t ask)

Good luck.

#14

I like it!

I have bashed a few of those Bachmanns, but not a diesel shay. (Yet. Hmmmmm…)

Keep us updated.

#15

Diesel Heisler??

#16

John, yes that is the diesel Heisler I posted a picture of above. Your picture is when she was sitting out at Glendale, my shot from a couple years ago is in the Samoa Roundhouse.

It is owned by Timber Heritage, Eureka, CA. here is the information on it

Mutual Plywood Corp. #54

Builder/Year: Heisler 1927

Type: B-B Diesel converted from
2-truck Heisler
Weight: 24 tons
Construction #: 1546
Location: Samoa Roundhouse
Status: non-operational

Originally built as Elk River Mill & Lumber Co. No. 3, it worked only 10 years until the mill shut down for good. A junk dealer scrapped the boiler and sold the rest to Mutual Plywood Corp. where a Murphy diesel engine was mounted on the frame and it was used as a mill switcher. In the 1960s it became U.S. Plywood Corp. No. M62; U.S. Plywood was subsequently purchased by Simpson Timber Co. Sold to Frank Bayliss for display at a small tourist railroad at Alton, it was purchased from him by the Association in 1991. It is operational.

#17

Great minds…

#18

After a little scrounging through the parts stash, I found a 36 tonner bunker, so I decided to just use that rather than building a new one. It will be a little shorter, but with the oil bunker still on it, makes it look a little more in proportion with the hood.

Parts went to the paint shop today, so now on to making endbeams for the frame, then on to assembly and detailing. More to come soon

#19

Womens work but totally diggin it!

#20

John you really need to quit googling. Every time you do I have something new to model and your 2-6-2 gets pushed further down the pipe of dreams. But . . . 2-6-2 diesel conversion could be fun