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Author Topic: Making an Alco S3  (Read 1972 times)

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garethashenden

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Making an Alco S3
« on: May 01, 2016, 10:04:36 AM »
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I feel like this has been discussed, but I can't find it.

If I wanted to make an S3 starting from the Bachmann S4 what would need to be done? It looks like the S3 has a shorter radiator and one more hood door. Are there any other major details to change? Any minor ones?
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C855B

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2016, 10:18:43 AM »
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Overall length is 12" shorter, wheelbase is 6" shorter. That might be what you're thinking of vis-a-vis prior discussions.
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garethashenden

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2016, 12:59:30 PM »
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Quote from: C855B on May 01, 2016, 10:18:43 AM
Overall length is 12" shorter, wheelbase is 6" shorter. That might be what you're thinking of vis-a-vis prior discussions.

Yes that's it. I had the impression that there was some major work to do, but I couldn't think what it was.
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ncbqguy

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2016, 04:06:47 PM »
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Some of the online sources for dimensions have errors.
The Truck Centers on the Alco S1  S2  S3   S4 were all 30'-0".  The main spotting difference between the S1/S3 and S2/S4 is the size of the radiator section and the extra door that results from the shorter radiator assembly.
Charlie Vlk
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tehachapifan

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2016, 04:16:33 PM »
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Quote from: ncbqguy on May 04, 2016, 04:06:47 PM
Some of the online sources for dimensions have errors....

Boy, you're not kidding! I once found info at a online resource that said the walkways of the SW1500 are over 8' above the rails. :o
« Last Edit: May 04, 2016, 04:23:44 PM by tehachapifan »
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wcfn100

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2016, 04:25:37 PM »
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Quote from: ncbqguy on May 04, 2016, 04:06:47 PM
Some of the online sources for dimensions have errors.
The Truck Centers on the Alco S1  S2  S3   S4 were all 30'-0".  The main spotting difference between the S1/S3 and S2/S4 is the size of the radiator section and the extra door that results from the shorter radiator assembly.
Charlie Vlk

Um, what?!  :?

The truck center measurement for an Alco S2 is 22' 6".

The truck center measurement for an Alco S1 is 22'.

Railroad shop diagrams can be provided.  :P

Jason
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Missaberoad

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2016, 04:40:05 PM »
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Quote from: wcfn100 on May 04, 2016, 04:25:37 PM
Um, what?!  :?

The truck center measurement for an Alco S2 is 22' 6".

The truck center measurement for an Alco S1 is 22'.

Railroad shop diagrams can be provided.  :P

Jason

I can confirm this my CN locomotive diagram book lists the 22' and 22.5' truck centers For the S1/3 and S2/4 respectively...
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ncbqguy

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Re: Making an Alco S3
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2016, 12:09:42 PM »
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I would like to say I was just proving my point about online sources not being accurate, but I fell for spiffy presented data and you were correct....there is a 6" difference in the truck centers and overall length between the S1/S3 and S2/S4!
Here is a link to a source that should be accurate:
http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/railroads/manuals/tp107a/
One would think the material and weight savings for making everything 6" shorter would not have been worth the effort vs. standardization on assembly fixtures and other parts, but it is what it is.
I am not sure that I would modify the mechanism and body shell for 0.0375" of length difference...even for an N Scale purist I am not sure the visual difference would be worth the effort.
Since you want an S3 I guess the trucks force you to use the Bachmann unit.  The Atlas might be easier to start with because of the separate radiator grilles and two different styles.
Thanks for getting the discussion going as the conventional wisdom going back to the first ALCO switcher drawings was that the  S1/S3 S2/S4 were the same except for the radiator and trucks.
Charlie Vlk
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