Best Of The TP56/TP70 Kitbash thread N scale

[u18b]

Really, as critters go - this is a 'big one'.   You're looking at something that's about the same size as the Atlas/Bachmann Plymouth MDT, only much, much better execution.    It looks small, but it's really as tall as an SW1500 and has about the same cab dimensions.

Actually, I had also thought of that.

When I was at a train show last week, I picked up an MDT for just such a comparison.
This one is the Bachmann version- and actually, it runs halfway decently.



By looking at the two together, you can see that they are in the same neighborhood as to size.

But the TP70 with the narrow hood, and fine handrails look to be in a different league.

By the way-  My TP70 came in at a final weight of 41 grams.

[peteski]

Really, as critters go - this is a 'big one'.   You're looking at something that's about the same size as the Atlas/Bachmann Plymouth MDT, only much, much better execution.    It looks small, but it's really as tall as an SW1500 and has about the same cab dimensions.

That is true. Some smaller ones were even available commercially. I posted a photo few pages back in this post.
Since I didn't have a complete TB56, I used just a truck to compare sizes.  But the concept of using a single 6-axle truck as a complete running gear of a locomotive is such a novel idea that I'm glad it is being modeled (even if just by few modelers).

[keeper]

Still no sign of the motors....

[randgust]

I just checked the 'Bay and there's more old but new Roco/Atlas E-7 trucks out there (search for "Atlas E-7") if anybody else wants to try it that way.

Trucks are $15 a pair, and I still have one leftover.

Considering how much tinkering I've had to do it's not really a recommendation.    You'd need David Cutting's HTC truck sideframes in addition to the other two parts.

I just realized - thanks to Spookshow (Mark) that there are TWO GENERATIONS of this truck, one with 2 powered axles and one with three.  I have the one with two and the one currently on 'bay shows three - if that's right.   The visible gear toward the center is a tip-off as to which one is which.   With two powered that's why I have to pile all the weight on one end and in the cab.  Considering the mess I made of a lot of it in frutzing it in I'm reordering a truck with 3 axles powered.  Most of my pickup problems appear to be related to getting that unpowered axle lose enough to roll vs. tight enough to actually pick up reliably.   So seeing as how this thread is pushing this to 'a whole nother level'... I may as well do mine right the second time.   I can easily move my gearhead and frame over to a second truck - I'm not into it that deep yet.   It has excellent TE and killer slow speed with the gearhead but that loose axle electrical pickup with wipers has proven to be rather erratic.   I'm all about performance and that's enough to force the issue.

That also explains the mystery to me on remembering that the one I had had 12-wheel drive and pulled like an ox, and the truck I got had 4 wheels powered.   If I'd READ Mark's review, ....yeah.... he clearly identified there were two versions - 1977-80, and after 1980.

[u18b]

I was looking over the extra K20 motors I bought and spinning them in my fingers, I realized they were not all identical.
Some were like silk, the others were a bit course-- hard to describe.

Thus I decided to sacrifice one and cut it up and see what was inside.  I was wondering if maybe a magnet was loose or something.

So here it is.
Looks pretty standard.
Three prong feeler "brushes."

Motor is 3 pole.  But poles look a bit hefty to me.  The extra length makes a difference.



I saw no sign of anything wrong.

So I took another motor and sort of pulled on the shaft different directions.

It smoothed out.  Which I take to mean that one or both of the bearings seated themselves better.

By the way, the tapped screw holes were too small for my M1.4 screws.
Therefore, I assume they are M1.2.... but cannot confirm.


For those who think they might want to take the plunge with these motors, here is the link again from my source on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262550362464?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

My experience from ordering from Asia is:
MyEbay will show the purchase and also a tracking number.
When you click on the tracking number, it will show when it leaves a shipper in China.

Then nothing for a long time.

Then one day, I see that the item has cleared customs in New York.
Then nothing.

So when I see it enter the USA, I know it is about 1 week away.

My experience is 3-4 weeks average.  With 5 or 6 weeks on occasion.
 

[u18b]

When I was in Atlanta at the big train show last week, I saw a LOT of N scale.   But only one Kato SD40-2 mid.
I bought it.
It was ATSF with silver trucks.

I wanted one of the silver trucks for myself so I can possibly make a green TP56 one day.

So here is my plan, to try and get some of my money back.

I have one black truck and a motor that will make a black TP70- like I'm making.

I also have one silver truck and a motor that will make a green TP56.

Since Not everyone will have a gear puller, I'll install the motor and have the truck running in analog mode.
So that part will be done.

Then you can go from there.  Frame, shell, decoder etc.  Following this thread.

I'm going to sell these for 35.00 postage paid by me.

I only have these two, so if you're interested, let me know by PM.
First come first served.

[Chris333]

Do they come with one of your custom wood cases? 

[u18b]

Do they come with one of your custom wood cases? 

No, but they come with a smile!   

[dcutting]

I've got two shell sets, $35 each. One has tamiya primer on the shell. Thought I would hop in since Ron has the trucks.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

David

[u18b]

Black truck gone.
Silver still available.

And built.

[Philip H]

What Ron Beardon hath wrought let no man tear asunder:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

But for darn sure let my soldering skills be up to the task.

[keeper]

Progress is a bit slow...
Today I got an air conditioner from Shapeways.



I thought about buying the Kato one as well but decided against it. Shipping $15, part $1.50? No way!

Thomas, still waiting for the motors...

[u18b]

Based on what I'm seeing in that photo...

Looks like your print came out better than mine.

Looking forward to seeing it progress!

[keeper]

What type of horn did you use, a standard Kato thingy?

Thomas

[u18b]

What type of horn did you use, a standard Kato thingy?

Thomas

Great question.

I saw no horns that were exact matches.
So I chose a 3 chimed.

I used an Atlas horn.
It's not my favorite because it's styrene and therefore delicate.
But on the plus side it only has one mounting pin.

Mounting a horn with 2 pins is trickier.