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 Posted - August 03 2006 : 12:21:29 PM
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Greetings,
Well I've been doing a little research on Baldwin Sharks since I discovered a good way to make a Tyco Shark run, and I stumbled on an interesting picture.
It's been stated that Tyco's numberboard placement was incorrect. While this is doubtly somewhat true, as they did omit the side numberboards, I found a picture that shows something under the nose headlight on a prototype:
http://exotic.railfan.net/BO4219.htm
Indeed, it looks just like what Tyco added to their mold. The NYC Sharks pictured on the same site do not have that feature. I just thought that was interesting. I'm kicking around the idea of shaving some profile numberboards from a suitable F-unit and adding them to my Tycoshark. Or some simple styrene strip might get the jub done.
As for the drive conversion (begun on another thread), the Athearn GE/AAR frames do work of course - the Tyco sideframes are much too long in comparison and clearly should be eschewed once you see the difference. The shark really does look good with a proper frame and trucks underneath it!
Right now, I suspect it rides just a *tad* too high, judging by pilot clearance.... but backed up to an F-unit or alongside a GP-series, it looks good. I'll have to investigate the clearance "issue" a little further as time allows.
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on August 03 2006 12:23:26 PM
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 Posted - August 03 2006 : 3:28:11 PM
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GoinginCirclz:
Thanks for the interesting and fruitful forum. Your adventure in kitbashing has compelled me to drag out an old, long-abandoned plastic shell Tyco shark conversion to RF-16 in PRR. I'd forgotten all about the thing 'til your comments in the Power Torque Forum. I'd gotten as far as applying paint and body detail, specifically PRR's distinctive radio communications aerial array, then dropped the project after stumbling into several nice old die-cast Mantuas in PRR. The half-completed PTorque Shark was relegated to the scrap line and abandoned without any attempt at reframing or applying alternative power.
Your bashing exercise, though, has prompted completion of the project.
Thanks, again, for the commentary.
MagAcademy
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Posted - August 04 2006 : 1:47:21 PM
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MagAcad - Glad you found it helpful. I almost feel silly about it, but I really had wanted to run that guy for a while. I seem to recall seeing a PRR Shark kitbash article once, long ago, before I had any interest in (much less the tools needed for) such things.
I think I'm going to add a few more details to my RI Shark in this project. What's funny is that the real "Rock" was a basketcase of "we'll try anything!" motive power throughout its existence, but never rostered a Shark! I think it fits the "realm of plausibility" though, so I'm game. Got a suitable proto roadnumber picked out and everything! Purely for excursions, of course [}:)]
I'll try to post pics as work progresses. I just recived my Tyco "Road & Rail" set that I want to hack around with... with the infamous combined crossing. Interesting part of that set is the included "track boots" to keep the sectional track joined together... a pure Tyco invention, that works well. Too bad they didn't get the track off the floor...
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Posted - August 06 2006 : 11:59:49 AM
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GiC:
"almost felt silly about it but..." Well, that describes many a kit-bash I've banged on over the years. With regards to the RF-16s, if memory serves, I began my long-shelved bash after inheriting quantities of hammered-up old plastic Tyco shells in RI, Midnight Special--you know, "the usual suspects." My attempt was just the "thrifty scotsman's" attempt to use the material for something other than shooting targets on the range.
In the end, it was easier to run old RoCo Sharks (the early Model Power, which perform admirably) and, eventually, run ancient Mantua A and B Sharks (which, properly cleaned and lubed, cam run for hours at load without issue, exhibiting operating characteristics that put many modern-motored diesels to shame.) The indefinable "fun-factor" of fudging with remotoring and detailing the ex-Midnight-Special is, I guess, what your efforts rekindled.
Again, thanks,
MagAc
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Posted - August 10 2006 : 1:03:03 PM
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Well my conversion is almost done... The drive/frame swap was rather straightforward, just a few spiffs to go (rear coupler mount, mounting hole fill-in).
I gotta say, I'm amazed at how much better the Shark shell looks with just a few added details. Knuckle couplers, detailed trucks, window glazing, numberborads, wipers, grabs, some paint detail... I mean I'm actually really pleased with it, no qualms running this baby now.
[}:)]
Pics soon once it's "done"
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Posted - August 10 2006 : 2:12:31 PM
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Just be careful not to scuff the paint when you plow that baby into your vintage Tyco Pontiac Grand Prix or '64 Buick Riviera when they collide at the RR crossing of your Road n' Rail!
Gomez Addams, Magnolia Academy
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