Shapeways "Little Joes"

[UP4-8-8-4]

I have so many steamer, diesel & electric conversions to do, its hard to decide ?

May start on these two.
Shapeways "Little Joes".

Shapewyas "Little Joe", as built.

"Little Joe" painted.


Shapeways "Little Joe", rebuilt.

"Little Joe" painted.


Both will use Kato GG-1 chassis.
Drivers on the GG-1 will be extended with a free rolling wheel set on each end.
The pilot trucks will need to be moved forward for correct fit on the "Little Joe". This allows the drivers extensions clearance.

[Missaberoad]

Good God thats yummy

Is one gg1 required per conversion?

[UP4-8-8-4]

Good God thats yummy

Is one gg1 required per conversion?

One Kato GG-1 for each conversion.

[peteski]

One Kato GG-1 for each conversion.

So the extra driver is available as spare part from Kato?

[UP4-8-8-4]

So the extra driver is available as spare part from Kato?

No, to extend the drive for the 4th axle, I get a couple off a junk engine with the same size diameter wheel.
Then I cut and add an extension truck section from same junk engine and Krazy glue it to the rear edge of the GG-1 drive trucks after I file and align the sections.
Then I file all detail off the GG-1 trucks as thin as I can get them, then sand down the truck side frames that comes with the "Little Joe" as thin as I can get them. Then align and JBQuick them on top of the trucks.
Same method for the end trucks. 

[peteski]

No, to extend the drive for the 4th axle, I get a couple off a junk engine with the same size diameter wheel.
Then I cut and add an extension truck section from same junk engine and Krazy glue it to the rear edge of the GG-1 drive trucks after I file and align the sections.
Then I file all detail off the GG-1 trucks as thin as I can get them, then sand down the truck side frames that comes with the "Little Joe" as thin as I can get them. Then align and JBQuick them on top of the trucks.
Same method for the end trucks.

GG-1 drivers seem larger than drivers used on most electric or diesel locos. What specific junk engine did you use?

[nkalanaga]

If you plan a fleet of Little Joes, you might want to buy a spare GG-1 just for the parts.  One for every three Joes, and you'd also have the spare mechanical parts if you ever needed to make repairs.

[sirenwerks]

It looks like the pilot deck and body are one piece.  Is that the case, or can I just not see the gap?

[UP4-8-8-4]

So the extra driver is available as spare part from Kato?

Thanks for reminding me.
I bought a couple Kato GG-1's at a train swap meet last month that didn't run.
Will be Kato free roller drivers on both --------------------- 

It looks like the pilot deck and body are one piece.  Is that the case, or can I just not see the gap?

The body is one piece.
Pilot deck and driver & end truck covers are also single.

[narrowminded]

Just a wasted post to remark how much I enjoy these threads and the amazing modeling work throughout.  This is for this model but also the many threads demonstrating more of the same.  Kudos to you all!    I saw an example of the Little Joe when passing through Deer Lodge MT last year and it was a truly amazing bit of hardware as well as an interesting back story to its creation.

[soo]

Pretty cool!!!

I would love to see a video of these running.

Just simply awesome!!

See ya,
Y-it

[UP4-8-8-4]

Pretty cool!!!

I would love to see a video of these running.

Just simply awesome!!

See ya,
Y-it

Here's a video on Shapeways showing their Little Joe using the Kato GG-1 chassis.
Much easier conversion than the Shapeways GN W-1.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/9FAR2DYHX/nscale-ef4-little-joe-milwaukee-road-early-with-f?optionId=42663334&li=more-from-shop