N Scale EMD Model 40 critter build

[Jim Starbuck]

So with continuing ambitions toward earning my critter badge I started this build.

According to the internet, EMD built 11 examples of their Model 40 industrial switcher between April of 1941 and April 1943. They were built to order with most sold to the military. Surprisingly the majority of them still exist in operational condition.
They were powered by twin 6-71 Detroit diesels turning a single generator with a traction motor on each of the two axles.
I believe they made around 300hp and weighed 83000 lbs. Perhaps the Model 40 referred to 40 tons but that’s speculation.
I’m modeling #1134 which was the first unit built as a demonstrator. EMD used it as a plant switcher and it was later sold.

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I needed an early version cab with the arched windshield but it needed to be the same at both ends. Ed hooked me up with a Kato NW2 shell and I made a mold with Japanese hot melt blue stuff and cast new faces out of JB Weld steel epoxy.

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I cut the faces from a spare LifeLike cab and after sanding the sides back a bit the new castings were epoxied th the donor cab.

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A bit of bodywork with Tamiya putty resulted in a usable cab. This was a total experiment which if it hadn’t worked would have likely scrapped the project.

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Next up was scratch building the stubby hoods from .030” styrene.
This is the progress so far:

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I’ve got the mechanism pretty well thought out. It will use a 7x16 double worm coreless motor driving simple axle cup pickup and geared axle tubes.
There’s ample room in the cab for an ESU Lokpilot decoder and an Iowa Scaled Engineering powerkeeper.

[Dwight in Toronto]

“There’s ample room in the cab …”.    Oh man, you break me up! 

I don’t know how you do it, especially those tiny wee drive mechanisms, but I just love your work, and always look forward to your next instalment.  Thanks for sharing.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You're sick.

If I had known I was contributing to your sickness, I would've never sent that thing first class.





I'd have overnighted it.

[tehachapifan]

Too cool!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There's one of these in the York Agricultural and Industrial Museum.
https://www.yorkhistorycenter.org/york-pa-museums

If you need measurements or detail photos of anything, I might be able to help.

It served the Harley/AMF plant just north of where my layout disappears into the wall.

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[Jim Starbuck]

Thanks Ed! I hadn’t seen the AMF one before. I really appreciate your contribution.
I’m using plenty of license on this build as with most of the little industrials there were plenty of detail variations.
Your photo though gives me an excellent view of the next challenge of the build which are the hood cutouts for the brake cylinders but I think I know how I’m going to do that.
It also looks like there’s a cutout of the deck at the step.

[Chris333]

Pretty sure there are drawings in the Diesel Cyclopedia.

[SP-Wolf]

Here's a couple of shots from Travel Town (Los Angeles)




Very cool - build

Best regards,
Wolf

[Chris333]

[Jim Starbuck]

Fantastic information Chris.
Thank you!

[C855B]

Here's a couple of shots from Travel Town (Los Angeles)




Very cool - build

Best regards,
Wolf

Hey, Wolf... I see nothing. I extracted the links to view directly, and got this:

TrainBoard.com - The Internet's Original - Error
You do not have permission to view media within this album.

[SP-Wolf]

Hey, Wolf... I see nothing. I extracted the links to view directly, and got this:

Hey Chris,

Very strange -- let's try it again





Doesn't appear to let the images show -- very strange

Thanks,
Wolf

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks Ed! I hadn’t seen the AMF one before. I really appreciate your contribution.
I’m using plenty of license on this build as with most of the little industrials there were plenty of detail variations.
Your photo though gives me an excellent view of the next challenge of the build which are the hood cutouts for the brake cylinders but I think I know how I’m going to do that.
It also looks like there’s a cutout of the deck at the step.

I just realized I can do you one better.
I was actually there a few years ago and climbed all over it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ARjLVG6Gu38ZLGLu8

It's funny, it made me realize that even "small" locomotives are still BIG.

[signalmaintainer]

Amazing. True "Arthatship" on display.

I figure the 11 Model 40s were not MU capable, but had it been otherwise, what a sight that would have been.

[Jim Starbuck]

Great photos Ed, Thank you. The overhead shots answered a couple more detail questions

@signalmaintainer, That would be something to see. Like the donkey patrol the Milwaukee did with SW1s in Minnesota.