Cast resin Santa Fe Full-skirted "Blue Goose"

[Cajonpassfan]

...
   I'm still wondering about the chassis conversion though, it would be nice if one of the Japanese (Kato?  Microace?) hudsons would work, or even an old Con-Cor chassis, rather than having to convert over a 4-8-4.     Thoughts?  I know Jason loved the GS4 mech, but I still don't trust all side-rod drives.
...

Unfortunately, none of the Hudsons mentioned have large enough drivers to truly do the 3460 class justice. In my view, it’s the tall 84” drivers that make this loco what it is, a long-legged standout. Only two other North American Hudsons had 84” drivers and none were larger (C&NW, Milwaukee, and these have never been made in N scale. Fox Valley Hiawatha drivers would be an excellent match, but of course, that’s only a two-coupled loco with a funky wheelbase so it really can’t be stretched).

I must admit the streamlined 3460 version shown here looks great; nice workmanship!
Otto K.

[UP4-8-8-4]

When I worked in a hobby shop in the 70's I remember all AHM NYC J3's (AHM??) painted up in this scheme, and later, the N Con-Cor ones.   Never thought much of them.   For streamlined steam, it's hard to find anything else that deserves technical worship other than 611.   But I have to say that studying that video was a 'wow', not just on the crew, but acceleration, performance, clearly evident with a full train.

The more I learn, the more the 3460 class deserves recognition on its own, and that scheme keeps growing on me when it's got the proper details.   I'm still wondering about the chassis conversion though, it would be nice if one of the Japanese (Kato?  Microace?) hudsons would work, or even an old Con-Cor chassis, rather than having to convert over a 4-8-4.     Thoughts?  I know Jason loved the GS4 mech, but I still don't trust all side-rod drives.

Because the 'adapted' J3's had coal tenders, I never noticed until now that the tender skirting on the 'real' one was nothing more than decorative on top of the conventional oil tender, or it certainly looks that way.  That's a fascinating detail for the era.

On the De-skirted one, I did use a Con-Cor J3a Hudson engine and tender chassis.
Had to cut the tender chassis and extend it as well as the brass wipers.
Engine chassis was cut a bit shorter in the front and weight milled more rounded.



Jason did like using the Kato GS-4's on a most of his builds, as well as being a smooth running engine, I believe he also liked the challenge.
On his UP 49er he did use a Bachmann Spectrum Class J,  I also used the same one for my 49er built.

Like everybody else, I hope he eventually gets back into the trains and casting again.
He was a master with the molds.

[UP4-8-8-4]

Thanks Randy,

Nice video! Somehow missed this movie completely.......(till now).

Also very nice work on the resin Blue Goose's!!!!

I am investigating the 3D printing of this engine (fully skirted and de-skirted)...... more to follow in a month or so.
The tender with proper skirting is already available (see www.atsfnscalemodels.com).

Happy Santa Fe N Scale modeling to all!

Regards, Dirk Blikkendaal

Great job on the tenders, (as well as the rest), seen a few I'd be interested in for future builds.
What's the best way to order the tenders, looked but didn't didn't see it or missed it ?

Also, another great future addition, the Full-skirted and De-skirted Blue Goose's, will be a great seller.

Might also consider doing the UP 49er.
On the one Jason made the casting for, he only made the engine mold, not a tender mold to go with it.
Tender had to be scratched built from pictures of HO Brass models, but I started off using Jason's SF Long Haul Oil Tender shorted and adding the lower skirting, then built the end, top and rest from sheet styrene.



One I'm hoping someone comes out with in 3D is the Pennsy S2.
Just the engine, pilot and tender castings as well as the forward and reverse turbines and a few other details as the front and rear trucks, pumps, tanks, etc.
The rest would be an easy build using the Bachmann Spectrum Class J, as it would be the only one with correct side rods for the build.

[Simon D.]

Incidentally, according the Fank Ellington's Steam locomotives of the Santa Fe: A former shopman's scrapbook , 3460 was originally called Mae West, then the Blue Bird by the shopmen.

[mike_lawyer]

Jason is really missed.  I know he was working on a 2-10-2 frame that would accept Kato Mikado drivers and valve gear, but never finished it.  Would have been a great addition to N scale to have a frame like that.

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Ernie,

Thanks for your comment.
Regarding ordering the tenders see my website www.atsfnscalemodels.com.
Go to CURRENT PROJECTS or PRICE LIST or ORDERING AND PAYMENT (the red line on top of all pages).
Click on and all info should be there. CURRENT PROJECTS has a scroll down list.....TENDERS is a bit down.
You can also send me an email: info@atsfnscalemodels.com 

Shortly I will have another addition: 8500 gallon oil tender ......including archbar trucks.

Regards, Dirk

[Cajonpassfan]

[quote author=Dirk Jan Blikkendaal link=topic=47668.msg630279#msg630279 date=1566596294

Shortly I will have another addition: 8500 gallon oil tender ......including archbar trucks.

Regards, Dirk
[/quote]

That’s great news Dirk, I’ll be on a lookout for a couple.
Thanks much,
Otto

[UP4-8-8-4]

Ernie,

Thanks for your comment.
Regarding ordering the tenders see my website www.atsfnscalemodels.com.
Go to CURRENT PROJECTS or PRICE LIST or ORDERING AND PAYMENT (the red line on top of all pages).
Click on and all info should be there. CURRENT PROJECTS has a scroll down list.....TENDERS is a bit down.
You can also send me an email: info@atsfnscalemodels.com 

Shortly I will have another addition: 8500 gallon oil tender ......including archbar trucks.

Regards, Dirk

Thanks Dirk, will do !

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

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a sneak preview.....

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Dirk. Out of curiosity, how long is the tender body, and are you scaling it to fit any existing commercial frame?
Years ago, Jason shrunk-cast one of these for me off an HO brass shell and it happens to fit nicely over a Bachman Consolidation tender frame (with a bit of frame modification). Unfortunately the casting has some flaws, so I’m looking at a better solution.
Proto photost taken at “TravelTown” in Griffith Park below.
Otto

 

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Hi Otto,

No existing frame and no need for that.
Frame and tank will be seperate prints (see pics).
Plans are indeed made after 664..... one of the last 2-8-0's.....using the plans in A Former Shopman's Scrapbook.
Tender can be used for a variety of engines (as you certainly know) but i still have a Athearn/Roundhouse 2-8-0 I want to change to ATSF 664.
There will be enough inside room to accomodate a motor, sound decoder and 8 x 12 sugarcube........ motor will be special 8 x 16 mm coreless (see www.tramfabriek.com).
Still have to do the brass details.......... will keep you posted.


Regards, Dirk
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[draskouasshat]

Fantastic Dirk!!!! Is this tender available yet? I need a good 10 or more of these for my raton pass!!!

Drasko

[Cajonpassfan]

Fantastic Dirk!!!! Is this tender available yet? I need a good 10 or more of these for my raton pass!!!

Drasko

Ration Pass??! WTH? Whatever happened to Kansas?
Otto

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Hi Adam,

Not yet..... still need to do the brass details and check it out afterwards if all is OK.
Couple of weeks I hope.....

Regards, Dirk

[ChristianJDavis1]

Ration Pass??! WTH? Whatever happened to Kansas?
Otto

"We're not in Kansas anymore."