Narrow-gauge industrial switcher?

[C855B]

Inspired by the conjectured BLMA PD3000, I would like to ponder a cement plant with a narrow gauge quarry feeder. Is there a suitable Z-gauge small switcher that could be used as a core for a reasonable facsimile of, say, a Plymouth 25-tonner? Two axles would be preferable, but three is OK.

In 15 minutes of browsing I found a couple of Euro prototypes on eBay that looked like good candidates... $655, "buy it now". F that.

Suggestions?

[tom mann]

http://stonebridgemodels.com/index.htm?c=z_loc

[C855B]

Perfect. Thank you.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Or, if you want to be really cool:
http://homepage1.nifty.com/tfw/index-e.html

[C855B]

[chuckle]

Yeah, if they did that little jackshaft gas mechanical in Nn3 I'd be all over it. Steam... not so much. I'm shooting for 1969-1970, and steam presses the credibility limits.

[Leggy]

You are better off however going with an Nn3 model rather than the Z scale ones just for the simple fact of keeping everything in proportion.

[C855B]

If you know of an existing, available Nn3 model of a small diesel/gas-mechanical switcher, I'm all ears. Otherwise, the question was posed in searching for a Z-scale mechanism to use as a core for a bash/scratchbuild project. The chassis John linked was the perfect solution, and the brass body kit could even be used by substituting an N-proportioned cab. But I think I'll just resume the Plymouth switcher scratchbuild project I started 43 years ago... the bits are rattling around somewhere.

[Chris333]

Also this:
http://www.searails.com/newproducts/powermax.html

[C855B]

Good link, Chris. Thanks. Searails also offers a cast brass GE 25-tonner on this chassis. Pricey ($250), but if I became inclined to not add yet-another-project to the queue of barely-started projects, this might very well be my answer.

[Hiroe]

Ugh. Those are all awesome little mechs, but they're actually a bit *too* small for my own needs.

I'm specifically looking for something I can use to power a set of Silverliner II mu cars. Inside-bearing power truck, 36" wheels, 8' wheelbase. (5mm wheels with a 15mm wheelbase would be perfect).

[Bremner]

another thing to think about, the last NEW narrow gauge mainline loco to be sold in the US was an ALCO (well, really a Bombardier)

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IF I were to build something like this, I would be looking at a Marklin chassis and a bunch of Atlas parts....

[jmlaboda]

https://www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/show_item.php?ID=1289

[Wardie]

I have wondered how well the MicroTrains SD-40-2 mechanism would work for an Nn3 diesel.

[Bremner]

their F7 makes a good Shay

[Wardie]

their F7 makes a good Shay

I have one of those.