Looking for these locomotives in HO scale

[MLW]

Hello. I am looking for the following locomotives (Electric) in HO scale.

I have no idea where to start. It can be safely assume that these loco, as they were, do not exist in HO scale.
However, I am willing to do some "tweaking" such has: installing pantograph, new paint and some minor mods.

That way I can have a final product that would look fairly close to these two very different type (pictures below).

Sooooooo if you could point me in the right direction that would be great. I think that Bachmann may have something like the first one and maybe some European manufacturer for the second one.

I am just at lost where to look.

(1) Class Z-5-a, was built by General Electric in July 1950 :






(2) Class Z-1-a, was built by General Electric in 1914






I do realised there are two different type (above). It doesn't matter which one, as long as
I have something that is "close enough" that would work.

Thanks for your help

[Schraddel]

Hello!

It seems to me you have to do some kitbashing to get your desired electric locos.

For the centercab electric a Bachmann 44ton model may be a good starting point for kitbashing.

For the boxcab the Roco model of the French SNCV class BB 300 may be a starting point:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://nsm08.casimages.com/img/2014/02/06//1402061225481989711960903.jpg">http://nsm08.casimages.com/img/2014/02/ ... 960903.jpg</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://picasso.superforum.fr/t9405-bb-302-roco">http://picasso.superforum.fr/t9405-bb-302-roco</a><!-- m -->
An other alternative may be the Roco Austrian ÖBB electric class 1045:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hp-pfeiffer.de/digi_umbau1/dcc/roco_oebb1045_dc/1045_dc_01.jpg">http://www.hp-pfeiffer.de/digi_umbau1/d ... _dc_01.jpg</a><!-- m -->
This is a really shorty one.
But you still will have to do some work to get the things look right.
My 2 cents.


Lutz

[MasonJar]

Roundhouse makes or used to make a diesel boxcab track cleaner. I think they had both a powered and unpowered version. Perhaps this is a starting point for your second locomotive?

Andrew

EDIT: Here's a powered unit for sale on eBay: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-HO-Roundhouse-Erie-Boxcab-kit-/321788623906?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aec18bc22">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-HO-Roun ... 4aec18bc22</a><!-- m -->

[doctorwayne]

If you can find suitable mechanisms (frame, trucks and motor), neither of those locos would be that difficult to scratchbuild in styrene. Archer's line of rivet and louvre decals will provide some of the necessary details, while other major features can be added with styrene and/or wire parts, fabricated to suit.
The Z-5-a looks a lot like the GE 80/85 Tonners used at the steel plant where I worked, although I'm not aware of any models of such locos.



The large louvres on the sides could be easily done with Evergreen clapboard siding, while Detail Associates offers many diesel details that could be used for headlights, etc. The class lights look similar to those by Cal Scale (Bowser) or Precision Scale.

The MDC boxcab is a good starting point for the Z-1-a, but for a more accurate model, scratchbuilding those relatively simple shapes wouldn't be difficult if you have some similar experience with styrene. Again, finding a suitable mechanism should be your starting point. I'd suggest looking at Athearn Blue Box switchers, along with the Alco switchers from Atlas and also check out some of the Baldwin locos offered by Stewart (Bowser).

Wayne

[sailormatlac]

I second Doctorwayne. Scratchbuilding the boxcar shell would be far easier than fighting with a Roundhouse shell. Also, the Roundhouse boxcab are getting rarer and pricey nowadays.

For the other one, I think using a Bachmann GE-44 ton as a starting point would be good enough. You'll have to lengthen the long hoods, but that's quite straight forward.

You really selected iconic Montreal-area locomotives! One of the boxcab is exhibited at Deux-Montagnes station. You could easily measure it to get it right.

Matt

[MLW]

Hello!

It seems to me you have to do some kitbashing to get your desired electric locos.

For the centercab electric a Bachmann 44ton model may be a good starting point for kitbashing.

For the boxcab the Roco model of the French SNCV class BB 300 may be a starting point:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://nsm08.casimages.com/img/2014/02/06//1402061225481989711960903.jpg">http://nsm08.casimages.com/img/2014/02/ ... 960903.jpg</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://picasso.superforum.fr/t9405-bb-302-roco">http://picasso.superforum.fr/t9405-bb-302-roco</a><!-- m -->
An other alternative may be the Roco Austrian ÖBB electric class 1045:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hp-pfeiffer.de/digi_umbau1/dcc/roco_oebb1045_dc/1045_dc_01.jpg">http://www.hp-pfeiffer.de/digi_umbau1/d ... _dc_01.jpg</a><!-- m -->
This is a really shorty one.
But you still will have to do some work to get the things look right.
My 2 cents.


Lutz

Thank you very much Lutz for the feedback. Greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for the idea about the French SNCV class BB 300 . That would be
a good starting point indeed.

Thanks again

Syl

[MLW]

Roundhouse makes or used to make a diesel boxcab track cleaner. I think they had both a powered and unpowered version. Perhaps this is a starting point for your second locomotive?

Andrew

EDIT: Here's a powered unit for sale on eBay: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-HO-Roundhouse-Erie-Boxcab-kit-/321788623906?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aec18bc22">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-HO-Roun ... 4aec18bc22</a><!-- m -->

Hi Andrew thank for the ebay link and the idea about the Rondhouse boxcar.
That's helping as well.

Cheers

Syl

[MLW]

If you can find suitable mechanisms (frame, trucks and motor), neither of those locos would be that difficult to scratchbuild in styrene. Archer's line of rivet and louvre decals will provide some of the necessary details, while other major features can be added with styrene and/or wire parts, fabricated to suit.
The Z-5-a looks a lot like the GE 80/85 Tonners used at the steel plant where I worked, although I'm not aware of any models of such locos.



The large louvres on the sides could be easily done with Evergreen clapboard siding, while Detail Associates offers many diesel details that could be used for headlights, etc. The class lights look similar to those by Cal Scale (Bowser) or Precision Scale.

The MDC boxcab is a good starting point for the Z-1-a, but for a more accurate model, scratchbuilding those relatively simple shapes wouldn't be difficult if you have some similar experience with styrene. Again, finding a suitable mechanism should be your starting point. I'd suggest looking at Athearn Blue Box switchers, along with the Alco switchers from Atlas and also check out some of the Baldwin locos offered by Stewart (Bowser).

Wayne

Hi Wayne. Thanks for all that info. Wow! Thanks for the ideas and "how-to" modifications.
It looks like, now, that it is a feasible project. Especially after all the feedback I am getting here.
Thanks again for all that great info, it is giving me something to think about.

Syl

[MLW]

I second Doctorwayne. Scratchbuilding the boxcar shell would be far easier than fighting with a Roundhouse shell. Also, the Roundhouse boxcab are getting rarer and pricey nowadays.

For the other one, I think using a Bachmann GE-44 ton as a starting point would be good enough. You'll have to lengthen the long hoods, but that's quite straight forward.

You really selected iconic Montreal-area locomotives! One of the boxcab is exhibited at Deux-Montagnes station. You could easily measure it to get it right.

Matt

Salut Matt! Indeed! And the Bachmann GE-44 ton is a good idea. I looked at it (on-line) and it looks feasible, with some mods here and there, such has lengtning the hood like you mentionned. So that project looks good as well.
J'ai vue la loco a St-Constant. Wish I had taken better pictures..

Merci!

Syl

[Catt]

For the center cab just use the Bachmann 44 ton unit and mount pantographs on each hood.

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Hello. I am looking for the following locomotives (Electric) in HO scale.

I have no idea where to start. It can be safely assume that these loco, as they were, do not exist in HO scale.
However, I am willing to do some "tweaking" such has: installing pantograph, new paint and some minor mods.

That way I can have a final product that would look fairly close to these two very different type (pictures below).

Sooooooo if you could point me in the right direction that would be great. I think that Bachmann may have something like the first one and maybe some European manufacturer for the second one.

I am just at lost where to look.

(1) Class Z-5-a, was built by General Electric in July 1950 :


I do realised there are two different type (above). It doesn't matter which one, as long as
I have something that is "close enough" that would work.

Thanks for your help

I stop paying attention for a few days and look at what I miss! Always good to see other Electrified modelers.

Somewhere in my internet travels, I have seen some attempts at both electrics. Generally speaking, the Z5A can be produced from a lengthened 44 tonner. I will have to dig and see if I have the drawings for these units, but I do not think so. The Z5A will be the easiest, however.


The Z1 Boxcab on the other hand, is a different story.

Though the body sides and face aren't terribly complicated, I don't think it will be easy to get "close enough", particularly where the trucks and drive is concerned. The European models listed really aren't close enough, and I suspect you're be doing more work trying to adapt them to be a Z1 than you would if you built a Z1 from scratch.

What you will need is a good set of drawings. I have had no luck finding them, as people have asked me in the past if I knew of any. Given the relative "popularity" of the Z1as far as Canadian electrics are concerned, I am somewhat surprised there is a published drawing in some back issue of a magazine somewhere.



Somewhat Fortunately, the EMU commuter cars used by CN are available via Shapeways from IHP. You will also have to order the floor and other parts to build the kit, so these 3d Models can get kinda expensive, but they are your best bet for these electrified cars.

Motor Car


<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.shapeways.com/product/S7PC9Y5D6/ho-scale-cn-ccf-mu-motor-car-shell?li=search-results-1&optionId=42394336">http://www.shapeways.com/product/S7PC9Y ... d=42394336</a><!-- m -->

Trailer Car

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.shapeways.com/product/C4QQTW9MB/ho-cn-ccf-mu-trailer-car-body-shell?li=search-results-1&optionId=41203213">http://www.shapeways.com/product/C4QQTW ... d=41203213</a><!-- m -->

[Mr Fixit]

Hi MLW,
For my two cents worth of opinion I will add the following:
The GE 44 tonner is easily your best starting point. I initially looked at the 45 Tonner, when it is the 44 Tonner you want. Two different locos only a ton different in weight, but very different in looks, go figure. Four capped I beam posts on each hood end and you are ready for pantographs. The pantographs remind me a lot of the type used here in Victoria on the Red Rattlers and also the Harris blue passenger carriages till the mid '80's, so there should be model pantographs available to match.

For the box cab unit, it occurred to me that the cab end looks rather like a cab switcher end and the hood unit could be fabricated from say a Hi Hood from a switcher unit shortened, split down the middle and moved outboard, then add those side details. Not sure what to suggest about getting the trucks to look right.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Mark

[Russ Bellinis]

For the center cab, I would suggest using the cab from a 44 tonner with long hoods cut down from two Alco Rs1, 2, 3, or 4/5. You might find old Life Like toy Rs1 models cheap at a train show.