Baldwin DS 4-4-1000

[ek2000]

Since some manufacturers in N like to produce models not previously done, the Baldwin DS 4-4-1000 switcher in N scale seems to stand out as a good choice. Bowser did it in HO but I could not find this in N scale. The 606SC variant seems to have been employed by numerous famous railroads including Pennsylvania, B&O, Western Maryland and CP rail, so its not a very obscure model in terms of use but obscure enough in MRR terms. Would be great if someone made this in N. Considering that Atlas and BLI managed to get sound decoders in similarly sized switchers, DCC and Sound may also be possible with this model to broaden the appeal. Hope this model piques interest in manufacturers like Atlas, Rapido or Scale trains.

[thomasjmdavis]

Not a bad idea- both PRR and ATSF had some- which is a big plus to many manufacturers.  And when I checked the Diesel Spotter's Guide, it says that the turbocharged version of the DS 4-4-1000 ( the 606SC prime mover) had the same basic carbody as the later S12- which would add more potential roads.  That said, Baldwins were infamous for having a lot of road-specific variations (I don't know if that applies to this particular locomotive model.

Anyway, if you could talk a manufacturer into it, I would be interested in one.  That only leaves another 2000-3000 that you need commitments on to interest someone in tooling it up.  Or, if you can figure out a good donor mechanism, you might be able to talk a shapeways designer into doing the shell.

[prr7161]

Agree, this would be a nice one to have.  It should be a drop-on shell replacement for the VO-1000 mech (unlike the DS4-4-600, which is a shorter mech) that Atlas already makes.  In theory, making a flat radiator for a VO-1000 shell would be possible but it seems like a real PITA to me.

There are both brass DS4-4-1000 and DS4-4-600 models out there, but they are rare.  They pop up on eBay from time to time.

[ek2000]

Not a bad idea- both PRR and ATSF had some- which is a big plus to many manufacturers.  And when I checked the Diesel Spotter's Guide, it says that the turbocharged version of the DS 4-4-1000 ( the 606SC prime mover) had the same basic carbody as the later S12- which would add more potential roads.  That said, Baldwins were infamous for having a lot of road-specific variations (I don't know if that applies to this particular locomotive model.

Anyway, if you could talk a manufacturer into it, I would be interested in one.  That only leaves another 2000-3000 that you need commitments on to interest someone in tooling it up.  Or, if you can figure out a good donor mechanism, you might be able to talk a shapeways designer into doing the shell.

Yes, I missed ATSF. Between the 608NA and the 606SC variants, nearly every large railroad of the post ww2 era had one of these - PRR, ATSF, UP, SP, CNW, WM, NKP, Frisco, Seaboard, Lehigh Valley, Erie, SOO line, Wabash...

When executed well (Likes of Atlas, ST, Rapido, IM) this model should have no trouble selling. Steam and switchers have a unique appeal among model railroaders.

When looking into old railroad documentary films, I can see what looks to be this locomotive dutifully switching cars in the yard. Of course, the F units take all the credit as the face of railroading of that era but the little switchers did their part 😃

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The shell feels like something that these guys would get into: https://www.cmrproducts.com/locomotive-shells/

[thomasjmdavis]

The shell feels like something that these guys would get into: https://www.cmrproducts.com/locomotive-shells/

There is also a shapeways designer that offers an S-12 shell, which is similar if not identical, to the 606SC version of the DS 4-4-1000 (at least according to my ancient Diesel Spotters Guide).