PE Steeplecab Freight Motor Project

[C855B]

... Are there N scale decals for this type of locomotive readily available?  ...

Microscale 60-1349 and 60-1350. Both are in stock.

[trainutz]

For those of you who might consider adding dcc to this model: the inside body dimensions are 1 1/4" L by 11/16" W. Height should not be a problem; I estimate approximately 1/4" clearance available although I no longer have the model available for verification. If this becomes critical, PM me and either Gregg or I will provide more precise measurements.

[peteski]

Microscale 60-1349 and 60-1350. Both are in stock.

Perfect!

[wcfn100]

Very nice job.  I'd be interested if a drive with better proportions could be designed.


Jason

[eric220]

Mmmmm... Baldwin steeple cab...

Sacramento Northern actually had more of those than the GE’s, and they were more powerful, but the GE’s became the icons of the railroad.

[C855B]

Mmmmm... Baldwin steeple cab...

Sacramento Northern actually had more of those than the GE’s, and they were more powerful, but the GE’s became the icons of the railroad.

Such as this?



That's a much, much younger me on the rear platform holding the pole rope while my friend Dennis is in the cab. The pan couldn't be used through a couple of overhead frogs at OET, so he had to retract the pan and I had to set the pole for those. This was the maiden run after a mostly cosmetic restoration.

[Jim Starbuck]

For those of you who might consider adding dcc to this model: the inside body dimensions are 1 1/4" L by 11/16" W. Height should not be a problem; I estimate approximately 1/4" clearance available although I no longer have the model available for verification. If this becomes critical, PM me and either Gregg or I will provide more precise measurements.

I used a Bandai 3 mech for my Milwaukee model which I suspect has very similar dimensions.  I installed a Digitrax DZ126t and there was plenty of room. There are several small wired decoders that could be used for this model. Although a hardwired install it isn’t a difficult one.
For it’s small size, this mech pulls very well and with the cast metal parts of this kit should be better still. It also runs just fine on code 55 without any modification to the flanges.

Jim

[johnb]

Welcome aboard Zen-Master!  It's an honor to have you participating in the Ralwire!

The quality of all the GHQ pewter kits is the tops!  While I don't really have a need for this model, I might pick one up because it is such a unique and well executed kits.  I go for the unique stuff.  You mention that decals are not included. Are there N scale decals for this type of locomotive readily available?  If not, you might consider including decals with the kit.

Peteski, the answer is "it depends", the Baldwin-Westinghouse electric freight motors were sold all over the country, and I lettered my Pacific Electric SW1 using the decals meant for this loco.

[160pennsy]

[quote author=ZeNstudent link=topic=45607.msg591108#msg591108 date=1539518563

This is not some knockoff of the 3D printed steeplecab. It is far more correct and detailed including correct trolly pole and truck sideframes. I  am seriously thinking about doing a kickstarter to assess interest. It would probably price at $140 for the kit. You buy the mechanism and decals. You see the pictures and let me know your thoughts on this.

If this works out, I feel that there are other PE models that could be made to GHQ standards and kickstarted. Is there enough interest?



[/quote]

Hello Zen Master,

You can add my name for qty=2 of the kits when they become available. Up until now, the long out of production Western Railcraft N-405 craftsman kit (1970's) and the newer Shapeways 3D shell were the only sources for modeling a running N-Scale version of this PE steeple cab. Thank you in advance for adding this kit to your GHQ line of products.

One question I have - did you make provisions or space to add the cowcatcher that would normally mount behind the pilot running boards?

[tehachapifan]

It's not my era by a longshot, I have no trolly wires on my layout and have absolutely no practical use for one, but yet I can't stop eying this thing. I DO already have the decals, however.

[johnb]

Will there be a lighting kit?

[Tom L]

Hmmm....I think I would have to build a mini layout around one of these. Something Iowa Traction inspired.

I've been eyeing the one available on shape ways but would prefer something like this because of the cast parts.

Tom L.
Wellington CO

[trainutz]

Hello Zen Master,

You can add my name for qty=2 of the kits when they become available. Up until now, the long out of production Western Railcraft N-405 craftsman kit (1970's) and the newer Shapeways 3D shell were the only sources for modeling a running N-Scale version of this PE steeple cab. Thank you in advance for adding this kit to your GHQ line of products.

One question I have - did you make provisions or space to add the cowcatcher that would normally mount behind the pilot running boards?

The answer to your question about the cowcatcher is yes. A spoked pilot will be included. Because of the intricacy involved in the assembly the loco the spoked pilot is the last detail to be added after it and the loco have been painted; it is glued into place. 

[JoeD]

Micro-Scale has N scale PE sets and there should be enough there to mark this correctly.

Joe

[Iain]

I would straight up take six of them.

If possible, I would also like, say, four additional sets of side frames and four trolley polls.