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 Posted - February 21 2014 : 2:53:48 PM
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Hello All, I'm looking to embark on a project to create a doodlebug for my layout. I have a nice Bachmann Spectrum, but it's too long. One option is to cut it down, but other options may be to use an old Roundhouse combine shell or something similar. For the drive , I was thinking about an old Lifelike F7. It has a powered truck, so the plastic frame can be cut and lengthened. Has anyone here built a doodlebug? I'd like to get some ideas.
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Posted - February 21 2014 : 3:41:49 PM
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Adams - I don't have a doodlebug yet, but I was entertaining similar thoughts of building my own with a powered truck from an old Bachmann or Life Like loco and an old combine shell. Never got started because the powered truck I had in mind turned out to be trashed.
Let us know it goes.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - February 21 2014 : 7:49:32 PM
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I used an Athearn switcher truck for the doodlebug I built.
If you have the Lifelike F7 chassis use it. Why not?
I like the idea of using the MDC coach or combine. I've seen an article on how to do it some where. I built the shell of mine from scratch.
Ray
Edited by - Ray Marinaccio on February 21 2014 7:51:14 PM
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Posted - February 21 2014 : 8:39:40 PM
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| Nice one, Ray-- I realized I got it wrong earlier, it's actually not a Lifelike mechanism, but it's from a "Tyco" Rock Island FA (Mehano? Roco?), but basically the same setup. I'll try to do something with the side frames, as they are way too big for a doodlebug. I'll try this with a Harriman car. I saw a small one online today that used a small Overton car bashed with a Bachmann trolley that was pretty neat.
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Posted - February 22 2014 : 10:37:44 AM
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quote:Adams - I don't have a doodlebug yet, but I was entertaining similar thoughts of building my own with a powered truck from an old Bachmann or Life Like loco and an old combine shell. Never got started because the powered truck I had in mind turned out to be trashed.
Let us know it goes.
Originally posted by JNXT 7707Â -Â February 21 2014Â :Â 3:41:49 PM
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I do in fact have a spectrum doodlebug from bachmann which I got at a train show for $15. It was missing a lot of stuff like the box, the cowcatcher, the coupling, and the other coach if it came with one.
-Steve
"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Posted - February 22 2014 : 2:33:21 PM
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| MR had an article on kitbashing a doodlebug in the February 1979 issue using a Roundhouse Harriman combine, an Athearn SW 1500 chassis and parts from a GP 9 shell. If you'd like a copy, PM me and I will scan and send.
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Posted - February 22 2014 : 8:19:53 PM
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| Nice model Ray. I wonder where that term "Doodlebug" originated?
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Posted - February 25 2014 : 02:47:39 AM
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quote:Nice model Ray. I wonder where that term "Doodlebug" originated?
Originally posted by Barry - February 22 2014 : 8:19:53 PM
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...for how it looked rambling down the tracks... sputtering and such at times, before the RDC's came out, these "critters" or doodle bugs plied the rails to save branch lines...
Sometimes with a boxcar or matching motorless coach in tow.
John
I've got a Walther's version... rubber band needs replacing, but the detail is pretty cool. Walther's follow-up Sperry Rail Service car is an awesome match-up with "molded/moulded" modifications matching up to the "original" body. The "Big Cars" are original doodle bugs, mind you!
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
Edited by - zebrails on February 25 2014 02:51:32 AM
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Posted - February 25 2014 : 03:18:00 AM
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Originally posted by Ray Marinaccio - February 21 2014 : 7:49:32 PM
Hi Ray! it´s #60 I guess! -Erich
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Posted - February 25 2014 : 08:02:03 AM
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Here's one a club member has, I thought he had a shorter one than this, too, but I can't find a picture of it. Drat! Curses! I think this is a bit shorter than those long Bachmann versions.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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