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Offline Alsterstreek  
#1 Posted : 08 February 2015 16:34:53(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
Since I swapped my European collection against an US-style one, I carried out a number of alterations and which qualify as kit-bashing. Therefore, I decided to group them here. I start with an overview of 2014 works.
Alsterstreek attached the following image(s):
2014.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#2 Posted : 08 February 2015 16:56:30(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
The first 2015 project - Frankenstein M* streamliner coach: Leftovers from at least two deceased coaches combined with various spare parts (as coupler mechanism and springs), silver spray-painting of formerly black trucks and a pragmatic solution for a front vestibule (spray-painted thick cardboard) which (a) looks acceptable when close-coupled to another coach in front and (b) works even on R1 curves.
2015-1.png

Edited by user 04 September 2015 21:39:14(UTC)  | Reason: typo

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#3 Posted : 01 September 2015 23:14:30(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
The early EMD GP locos hat the same wheelbase and trucks as the EMD F units. Thus I decided to try to fit a GP7 (or GP9) shell by Athearn on the Maerklin F7 undercarriage.
gp2.png

Lenght and width are matching, and the motor might even have enough room of manoeuver under the wide cab, but unfortunately the metal edges of the Maerklin chassis are too high.
gp0.png

Then, adapting couplers would have been another challenge...
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Offline 3rail4life  
#4 Posted : 02 September 2015 03:54:47(UTC)
3rail4life

United States   
Joined: 23/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 426
Location: Northern California
Very cool Ak ThumpUp ThumpUp, I have couple kitbashing US prototype projects in the works, I will post some pics here when they get done...

Cheers,

Gordon
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Offline Hackcell  
#5 Posted : 02 September 2015 05:39:21(UTC)
Hackcell

Costa Rica   
Joined: 21/11/2013(UTC)
Posts: 521
BRAWA 0999 is useful to have the NEM couplers adapted.
Danilo Jiménez
Union Pacific and DB Cargo H0 models.
Märklin, Brawa, MTH and some Walthers cars (nobody is perfect!)
Pinball machines, jukeboxes and Horses.
Costa Rica, pura vida!!
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#6 Posted : 03 September 2015 14:23:04(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Double entry / deleted
Offline Alsterstreek  
#7 Posted : 03 September 2015 14:26:02(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
gp.png
Got myself a second shell for kit bashing.

Edited by user 03 September 2015 21:10:43(UTC)  | Reason: pic uploading problem

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#8 Posted : 03 September 2015 23:07:30(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
rs3.png
What can a man do with this (decoder/pick-up shoe, M* coupler)?
acc.png
For a start, install one of the couplers.
k1.png
Yes, I know, but I have mainly US tinplate freight cars with M* couplers at the bogies.
k2.png
Reminds me that I still have to mount the missing front and rear railings.
acc2.png
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#9 Posted : 03 September 2015 23:15:41(UTC)
kiwiAlan

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post

For a start, install one of the couplers.
k1.png
Yes, I know, but I have mainly US tinplate freight cars with M* couplers at the bogies.


Pity you couldn't shorten the shank a bit, just looks to be sticking out too far - but then you may need that on tight curves anyway.

Be interesting to see a 'helicopter shot' coupled to a wagon on an R1 curve.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#10 Posted : 03 September 2015 23:23:22(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
As requested: helicopter view on R1.
heli.png
Not the smoothest ride. Need to adjust, but I am only in the initial test phase.
;o)
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#11 Posted : 05 September 2015 14:17:49(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Tight space: The decoder sits now under the cab in the space between cab roof and glass insert.
o1.png
(Re-)cabling: All black cables go on one side now, connected to the black decoder exit cable. Orange and grey decoder exit cables soldered to either side of motor feeder plates (which - formerly connected to the "original" black cables - are now isolated), respectively. The single lightbulb remains in the middle, connected to both yellow and white decoder exit cables. Engine and light functions were tested in a "dry run" on a programming track.
o2.png
Finally, the red cable goes to the "third rail" pick-up shoe. The latter is fixed with hot glue under one of the trucks. The pick-up shoe will be subject of the next post.
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#12 Posted : 05 September 2015 20:17:47(UTC)
kiwiAlan

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
As requested: helicopter view on R1.
heli.png
Not the smoothest ride. Need to adjust, but I am only in the initial test phase.
;o)


Thanks, looks like it would be fine with a shorter coupling shank, hard to tell with the lighting - don't worry, I'm not moaning.

I think you get away with it as the loco is reasonably short, about the same length as the gondola.

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#13 Posted : 05 September 2015 21:40:21(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Found anyway a better coupler solution:

Short SYMOBA holder on the inside and a short M* coupler hook on the outside.
kpl1.png

stays conveniently in place without screw or glue.
kpl2.png

And looks "unsuspicious".
kpl3.png
:o)
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#14 Posted : 05 September 2015 21:41:52(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
Front and rear platform railings are in place, too.
kpl4.pngkpl5.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#15 Posted : 05 September 2015 22:24:48(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
And now the announced "third rail" pick-up shoe installation report.
shave1.png
I had to shave off a lot of plastic under one truck - until the cog wheels were visible - to create enough space to allow the loco to glide over turnouts, with the curved turnout being the most challenging one. Actually, I had to shave off more material after taking the photo.
shave2.png
Here is the final view after fixing the pick-up shoe with hot glue. There is enough space in the middle of the truck to safely lead the feeder cable up to the decoder inside the housing.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#16 Posted : 05 September 2015 22:33:01(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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I just finished the conversion job: Here is the proof:

:o)
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#17 Posted : 05 September 2015 23:43:59(UTC)
kiwiAlan

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Found anyway a better coupler solution:

Short SYMOBA holder on the inside and a short M* coupler hook on the outside.



That does look a lot nicer and less intrusive on the end not coupled.

What is the Marklin part number for that coupling - oh, and the symoba pocket?


Offline Alsterstreek  
#18 Posted : 06 September 2015 00:21:16(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Märklin 399740 "Kupplungshaken"

SYMOBA "Schacht kurz 110"
http://www.symoba-schniering.de/sym-produkte.htm

Edited by user 06 September 2015 10:43:15(UTC)  | Reason: Thread title adapted

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Offline kiwiAlan  
#19 Posted : 06 September 2015 12:42:08(UTC)
kiwiAlan

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Märklin 399740 "Kupplungshaken"

SYMOBA "Schacht kurz 110"
http://www.symoba-schniering.de/sym-produkte.htm


Ah, thanks.

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#20 Posted : 13 September 2015 23:45:41(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
Another experiment that stalls for the time being. The idea is to have a Southern Pacific F7 ABBA consist in Black Widow paint scheme, made up of Athearn shells mounted on Maerklin F7 undercarriages. First, I installed window glazing on all Athearn shells (transparent one-size-fits-all scotch tape did the job). Then came the metal job: As the Athearn shells are slightly shorter than the Maerklin ones, the Maerklin undercarriages need to be sawed off to accomodate the Athearn shells. I started with the two F7B units. The Athearn shells fit well, but the Maerklin trucks do not move freely due to the position of the Athearn shell rear ladders. Thus, I pause until I found a solution before I assault the more precious motorized Maerklin F7A undercarriages. I post pictures of the F7A shells sitting on Tyco undercarriages with silver trucks and the F7B shells with prototypical black trucks mounted on Maerklin undercarriages . Eventually, all trucks are supposed to be black.sp4exp.pngsp2exp.png
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Offline BrandonVA  
#21 Posted : 14 September 2015 20:37:48(UTC)
BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
Ak,

There is no stopping the unquenchable thirst for B units and switchers:) Truly fantastic work, more guts than I have!

Now that you have ATSF and SP, I wonder what the next project could be...

UserPostedImage
ATSF Map...

UserPostedImage
Southern Pacific Map...

I am starting to see the overlay....

and what have we here?

UserPostedImage

D&RGW map.

Now we know you are the master of the EMD F7. The above reports suggest the same is true for a GP7/9 unit.

Now, F7s, B units, and GP9s! What more could you want?

UserPostedImage
Source: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=251450&nseq=1

Hot Sulfur Springs, CO, 1957.

Ok ok, so maybe you think some other modeller should have a monopoly on D&RGW ;)

Maybe a compromise?
UserPostedImage
Source: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=55165&nseq=63

Fort Worth, TX, 1966.

-Brandon



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Offline Alsterstreek  
#22 Posted : 25 September 2015 21:06:52(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
So the Geep is slightly taller than the F-units. I thought that my shells would not be to scale.
:o)
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#23 Posted : 25 September 2015 21:08:25(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
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Location: Hybrid Home
Another road name. M* UP caboose to become a D&RGW one.
rg-cb-pm.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#24 Posted : 26 September 2015 18:23:38(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Two Geeps without fuel tanks on the RIP track.
geepsrip.jpg

(Mock-up with partial cabin glazing and 2 mm cardboard "underbelly" sitting on two "loose" Tyco EMD trucks, respectively; to be continued)
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#25 Posted : 27 September 2015 17:46:11(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
Now with fuel tanks, close-coupled and trucks fixed (actually able to pivot).
geepmu.jpg
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#26 Posted : 27 September 2015 21:24:38(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Up and (test) running.
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Offline BrandonVA  
#27 Posted : 06 October 2015 20:23:49(UTC)
BrandonVA

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Location: VA
Ak,

Just like the real thing!

Did you find it necessary to add ballast to the dummy units for better traction? And did you have to change the wheelsets?

-Brandon
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#28 Posted : 06 October 2015 23:17:48(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
I got away without extra ballast due to the weight of the full metal trucks. One truck per cannibalized Tyco loco had a cable connection and weird drum like axles, respectively. Only those trucks could be disassembled to receive pizza cutter type DC wheel sets (M* wheel sets did not fit). The second truck remained unaltered, respectively. That did the trick. Still, this is a hobby version which does not match true M* equipment driving performance.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#29 Posted : 07 October 2015 22:38:53(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Success, the SP F7 Black Widow ABBA set is up and running.
bw1z.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#30 Posted : 18 October 2015 23:31:22(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
Tinkering...
rg2p.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#31 Posted : 19 October 2015 23:21:43(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
pbp.png
When I grow up - or when the paint is dry enough to apply a red stripe at the bottom - I become a Santa Fe Alco PB unit.
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Offline BrandonVA  
#32 Posted : 21 October 2015 03:08:21(UTC)
BrandonVA

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Tinkering...
rg2p.png


Ak, this is the crowing achievement ;) Fast freight service demands B units to get "Through the Rockies"! Interested to see the final product.

-Brandon

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#33 Posted : 22 October 2015 22:48:49(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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The can rattling continued.
dbu2.png
Next step is the black stripe between the silver and yellow parts.
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Offline Yumgui  
#34 Posted : 22 October 2015 22:54:21(UTC)
Yumgui

United States   
Joined: 20/03/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,660
Location: Paris, France
Just wonderful Ak, as usual ... !

Y Flapper
If your M track is rusted ... DON'T throw it out !
Working on: https://studiogang.com/projects/all
My heavy train station renovation: https://youtu.be/QQlyNiq416A
Inspired by: http://www.nakedmarklin.com/... Am not alone in this universe, phew.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#35 Posted : 24 October 2015 16:25:38(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Now, that went better than expected: The Rio Grande F7B units with spray painted black stripes.
buni3.png
(Grab irons and fuel tanks still to be attached.)
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#36 Posted : 24 October 2015 16:27:10(UTC)
Alsterstreek

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Location: Hybrid Home
The matching caboose received a silver roof to be closer to the prototype.
cabd2.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#37 Posted : 24 October 2015 23:14:58(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
D&RGW F7 ABBA fast freight loco up and running.
itissofar2.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#38 Posted : 01 November 2015 23:02:01(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
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Location: Hybrid Home
ATSF Alco PB progress.
pbx.png
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Offline BrandonVA  
#39 Posted : 11 November 2015 13:54:03(UTC)
BrandonVA

United States   
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Location: VA
Ak,

Those D&RGW B units (and caboose) came out perfectly. What did you use to mask the lines while painting? I have seen some small masking tape for modeling. Your lines look so clean, I was wondering if you had used something like that?

-Brandon
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#40 Posted : 11 November 2015 18:35:31(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
I used the best product, I could get here: tesa® 4333 PV1 Precision Mask® Sensitive
http://www.tesa.com/indu...on_mask_sensitive,i.html
Plain areas were unproblematic, but around the fixed grab irons at the corners and doorsteps required extra attention.

There isn't anything, tape can't fix:
Duct-tape_Moving_Van.jpg
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#41 Posted : 11 November 2015 19:41:51(UTC)
kiwiAlan

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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
I used the best product, I could get here: tesa® 4333 PV1 Precision Mask® Sensitive
http://www.tesa.com/indu...on_mask_sensitive,i.html
Plain areas were unproblematic, but around the fixed grab irons at the corners and doorsteps required extra attention.

There isn't anything, tape can't fix:
Duct-tape_Moving_Van.jpg


Oh so that is how you transport your layout ... Scared Scared Scared LOL LOL LOL LOL
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#42 Posted : 10 January 2016 15:10:09(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
My first analogue to digital conversion of two F7As successfully completed. Process documented:
conversion analogue-digital F7.png
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#43 Posted : 10 January 2016 17:50:11(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Quick headcount after the above operation:

6 x EMD F7 A-B-B-A in the stable.

headcount2016-01.png

Each with two motorized and two dummy units, respectively.

:o)
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Offline BrandonVA  
#44 Posted : 17 February 2016 14:48:37(UTC)
BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
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Location: VA
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Quick headcount after the above operation:

6 x EMD F7 A-B-B-A in the stable.

headcount2016-01.png

Each with two motorized and two dummy units, respectively.

:o)


What a sight! So many B units! I still can't get over how well those D&RGW B units match.

-Brandon

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Offline river6109  
#45 Posted : 19 February 2016 01:48:48(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
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Posts: 14,614
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
And now the announced "third rail" pick-up shoe installation report.
shave1.png
I had to shave off a lot of plastic under one truck - until the cog wheels were visible - to create enough space to allow the loco to glide over turnouts, with the curved turnout being the most challenging one. Actually, I had to shave off more material after taking the photo.
shave2.png
Here is the final view after fixing the pick-up shoe with hot glue. There is enough space in the middle of the truck to safely lead the feeder cable up to the decoder inside the housing.


AK, I know its a bit late to respond to your conversion but my suggestion may help you in future. instead of filing and shaving off the plastic part I have added a electrical coupling and than used a carboose or anything similar to add the slider (elelectrical as well) but this means the loco is no longer travelling on its own and this is of course for 2 rail locos which can't be converted to 3 rail

John

https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#46 Posted : 19 February 2016 12:32:36(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
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Location: Hybrid Home
Originally Posted by: river6109 Go to Quoted Post
... I have added a electrical coupling and than used a carboose or anything similar to add the slider (elelectrical as well) but this means the loco is no longer travelling on its own ...

Thanks John,
I might even follow this advice, as rolling over turnouts/switches/points (especially curved ones) is a challenge, because the pick-up shoe is lifting the loco a little bit. And as a busy shunter-gatherer, the loco should never move without a car.
:o)
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#47 Posted : 13 October 2016 18:59:05(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,664
Location: Hybrid Home
Life Like Proto 2000 Santa Fe EMD E8/9 successfully converted.
IMG_4326.JPG

2016-10-13_17-49-26.jpg2016-10-13_17-50-59.jpg2016-10-13_17-51-16.png
Also not depicted: The distance between the wheel flanges on the front axle and the trailing axle have been reduced by pushing them gently together. I did this with two finger without dismantling anything. Before this intervention, the loco tended to derail when following the inner path of the R1 curved turnouts when "splitting the frogs". Now she is hovering over all C-track sections like a goddess.

Edited by user 13 October 2016 22:31:25(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Offline Alsterstreek  
#48 Posted : 13 October 2016 22:34:48(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
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Location: Hybrid Home
Oh yes, where are my manners? Credits for alerting me about the opportunity to buy this loco go to BrandonVA. He informed also about the potential Maerklin-compatibility and good running characteristics.
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Offline BrandonVA  
#49 Posted : 24 October 2016 20:11:08(UTC)
BrandonVA

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Location: VA
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Oh yes, where are my manners? Credits for alerting me about the opportunity to buy this loco go to BrandonVA. He informed also about the potential Maerklin-compatibility and good running characteristics.


Recommendation, perhaps...but the guts and glory all go to the intrepid ATSF fan. I wonder if there are any additional conversions in the works?

-Brandon
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#50 Posted : 25 October 2016 13:59:11(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
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Location: Hybrid Home
There is something in the works. We are building an external power feeding device for converted former H0 scale 2-rail freight locos which do not offer enough space for installing a “center rail” pick-up shoe (converted passenger loco to be fed by coach equipped with Maerklin 73405 power feeder instead).

Ingredients: thinnest “Evergreen” white styrene sheet, 2 mm styrene rods, “Ibertren” article #9001 pick-up shoe for “three-rail” conversion, plastic glue, cable and soldering tools, screwdriver, sharp hobby knife, drill, Maerklin H0 gauge US flat car.

The works - (1) Build a well.
flatcar2016well1shoe.jpg
(2) Make shoe plate separately for easy adjustment when placing it in the center (see image #4 below). Hole is for later maintenance access to the screw holding the truck (shoe can be lifted after removing the two tiny screws).
flatcar2016well2shoe.jpg
(3) Truck and ring washer in place. White base plate fits nicely around raised round "thread housing". Subsequently the truck is attached with the existing screw (not pictured).
flatcar2016well3shoe.jpg
(4) Feeder cable exits through opening in the well. Shoe plate glued down after final adjustment of central position.
flatcar2016well4shoe.jpg
Ready to roll.

I experimented with other US tin plate freight cars. Best combination offers one with screw-mounted trucks and a long coupler neck to avoid contact between coupler and pick-up shoe, i.e. a flat car is the only candidate. Cabooses have also long coupler necks, but the truck held by a retaining ring do not offer enough space for even the thinnest styrene sheet. Gondolas have screw-mounted trucks, but short coupler necks. Box and tank cars have retaining ring-fixed trucks and short coupler necks.

Edited by user 25 October 2016 18:23:03(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

thanks 5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
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