 Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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): |
|
 15 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
H0, seatrains, danmarklinman, kimballthurlow, 3rail4life, Hackcell, glight1, Brakeman, BrandonVA, PJMärklin, Mark5, river6109, Webmaster, Legless, CYHU
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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.  Edited by user 04 September 2015 21:39:14(UTC)
| Reason: typo |
|
10 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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.  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.  Then, adapting couplers would have been another challenge... |
|
7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 23/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 426 Location: Northern California
|
Very cool Ak  , I have couple kitbashing US prototype projects in the works, I will post some pics here when they get done... Cheers, Gordon
|
2 users liked this useful post by 3rail4life
|
|
|
|
 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!! |
2 users liked this useful post by Hackcell
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
 Got myself a second shell for kit bashing. Edited by user 03 September 2015 21:10:43(UTC)
| Reason: pic uploading problem |
|
4 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
 What can a man do with this (decoder/pick-up shoe, M* coupler)?  For a start, install one of the couplers.  Yes, I know, but I have mainly US tinplate freight cars with M* couplers at the bogies.  Reminds me that I still have to mount the missing front and rear railings.  |
|
8 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,467 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek  For a start, install one of the couplers. 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.
|
1 user liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
As requested: helicopter view on R1.  Not the smoothest ride. Need to adjust, but I am only in the initial test phase. ;o) |
|
4 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Tight space: The decoder sits now under the cab in the space between cab roof and glass insert.  (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.  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. |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,467 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek As requested: helicopter view on R1. 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.
|
4 users liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Found anyway a better coupler solution: Short SYMOBA holder on the inside and a short M* coupler hook on the outside.  stays conveniently in place without screw or glue.  And looks "unsuspicious".  :o) |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Front and rear platform railings are in place, too.   |
|
6 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
And now the announced "third rail" pick-up shoe installation report.  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.  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. |
|
8 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
I just finished the conversion job: Here is the proof: :o) |
|
7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,467 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek 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?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
|
|
2 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,467 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Ah, thanks.
|
1 user liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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.   |
|
8 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
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...  ATSF Map...  Southern Pacific Map... I am starting to see the overlay.... and what have we here?  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?  Source: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=251450&nseq=1Hot Sulfur Springs, CO, 1957. Ok ok, so maybe you think some other modeller should have a monopoly on D&RGW ;) Maybe a compromise?  Source: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=55165&nseq=63Fort Worth, TX, 1966. -Brandon |
|
4 users liked this useful post by BrandonVA
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
So the Geep is slightly taller than the F-units. I thought that my shells would not be to scale.
:o) |
|
2 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Another road name. M* UP caboose to become a D&RGW one.  |
|
6 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Two Geeps without fuel tanks on the RIP track.  (Mock-up with partial cabin glazing and 2 mm cardboard "underbelly" sitting on two "loose" Tyco EMD trucks, respectively; to be continued) |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Now with fuel tanks, close-coupled and trucks fixed (actually able to pivot).  |
|
6 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
|
|
6 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,533 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 |
|
1 user liked this useful post by BrandonVA
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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. |
|
2 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Success, the SP F7 Black Widow ABBA set is up and running.  |
|
7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Tinkering...  |
|
7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
 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. |
|
7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,533 Location: VA
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Tinkering... Ak, this is the crowing achievement ;) Fast freight service demands B units to get "Through the Rockies"! Interested to see the final product. -Brandon |
|
4 users liked this useful post by BrandonVA
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
The can rattling continued.  Next step is the black stripe between the silver and yellow parts. |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 20/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,660 Location: Paris, France
|
Just wonderful Ak, as usual ... ! Y  |
|
1 user liked this useful post by Yumgui
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Now, that went better than expected: The Rio Grande F7B units with spray painted black stripes.  (Grab irons and fuel tanks still to be attached.) |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
The matching caboose received a silver roof to be closer to the prototype.  |
|
6 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
D&RGW F7 ABBA fast freight loco up and running.  |
|
7 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
ATSF Alco PB progress.  |
|
4 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,533 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 |
|
1 user liked this useful post by BrandonVA
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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.htmlPlain 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:  |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,467 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
|
|
3 users liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
My first analogue to digital conversion of two F7As successfully completed. Process documented:  |
|
4 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Quick headcount after the above operation: 6 x EMD F7 A-B-B-A in the stable.  Each with two motorized and two dummy units, respectively. :o) |
|
11 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
foumaro, PJMärklin, BrandonVA, Brakeman, seatrains, river6109, 3rail4life, grnwtrs, Legless, HerrDoktorBD, CYHU
|
|
|
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,533 Location: VA
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Quick headcount after the above operation: 6 x EMD F7 A-B-B-A in the stable. 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 |
|
4 users liked this useful post by BrandonVA
|
|
|
|
 Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,874 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek And now the announced "third rail" pick-up shoe installation report. 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. 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 |
|
4 users liked this useful post by river6109
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Originally Posted by: river6109 ... 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) |
|
1 user liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 Location: Hybrid Home
|
Life Like Proto 2000 Santa Fe EMD E8/9 successfully converted.     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 |
|
6 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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. |
|
2 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC) Posts: 2,533 Location: VA
|
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek 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 |
|
1 user liked this useful post by BrandonVA
|
|
|
|
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,842 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.  (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).  (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).  (4) Feeder cable exits through opening in the well. Shoe plate glued down after final adjustment of central position.  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 |
|
5 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
