Mexican Alco kitbash

[Catt]

I'm planning to leave the cab as it is.I had thought about modifying the windshield to be a closer match and decided it's not worth the work if I want to ever finish this beastie.

I started to strip the paint and it got rather interesting to me.under the blue acrylic was a coat of Testors blue enamel painted in 1979.Under that paint was the original Illinois Central white and orange (remember I bought this brand new in 1978).Under that paint was a coat of black paint and New York Central lettering.

The next coat of paint will be gray primer.

[Eccentric-Crank]

Your bash reminds me of this one,

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/16555/scale-alco-636p">http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thr ... -alco-636p</a><!-- m -->

There's also a drawing of it,

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/why-no-alco-636.88232/page-2">http://www.trainboard.com/highball/inde ... 232/page-2</a><!-- m -->

and,

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/alco-c-636p.106727/">http://www.trainboard.com/highball/inde ... 6p.106727/</a><!-- m -->

I've used Athearn U-boat chassis' with both the 430s and 630s.

Dan M.

[Catt]

I've thought about using the blue box chassis under these (there are two but the other one is pure 430).The problem is with the fuel tank it does not look even close to a Alco tank.

I have used the blue box chassis under my fair share of Bachmann GP 30s and B23-7s though.In fact I have a BQ23-7 just waiting for its new chassis. Those pics you linked to make me think the a blue box F-45 would be a good starting point for a HO version.

[Eccentric-Crank]

On the 630s I ground down the fuel tanks to fit the Tyco sides.

So far I haven't tried this with the 430s, if I can even find the Tyco frames in my scrap box.

I may just make a mould and cast them in place with epoxy after suitable grinding or milling(an option I didn't have with the 630s).

Looking forward to seeing your results!

Dan M.

[Catt]

Looking forward to seeing your results!

It may take awhile,I've only got 37 years into this beast.I need to get back to getting my Z layout hung on the wall.Though I may get a coat of primer on her tomorrow (nuther excuse for a picture :mrgreen: )

I just noticed the cab is not setting straight vertically,Damn! Oh well guess I will live with it.

[Catt]

Latest progress pic for the "Mexican" Alco. I just found out some new details about this unit.So I may be doing a whole new loco using the correct Alco (RS11) and a very modified EMD F-7 cab.

The original loco was a wreck rebuild of a RS11.At some point it received a RS long hood end.The prototype has been modified from the picture on page one at least twice.It was still in active service in 2003.I don't know if it still is or not.

[Tyson Rayles]

Looks weird which means it looks like the real thing!