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 Posted - April 16 2007 : 9:20:17 PM
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In a topic about train show finds in Timonium, I mentioned scoring a wierd Bachmann E60CF decorated for Chessie. This is nowhere near a prototypical model, since, as the Lord of King Coal, Chessie certainly never had any electric lines.
But the model reminded me of a strange picture I saw in a book I have. A picture of a proposed "modern steam" locomotive, born of the late 70's ful crisis and evaluated in the early 1980's. Ross Rowland (of American Freedom Train, Chessie Steam Special and C&O 614 fame) was the figurehead for the project.
Anyway - here's my Bachmann model:
And here is the drawing in the book:
Now it may take some imagination, but the resemblance is uncanny. While the Bachmann model came first... one could almost speculate that they had kitbashers in mind.
I'm almost tempted to scrounge up a old steamer and see if that shell will fit over it...
More info on the ACE 3000: Click here
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on April 17 2007 12:12:33 AM
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 Posted - April 16 2007 : 9:50:45 PM
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Tony,
A good starting point would be a Bowser,or old Pennline PRR T1. 4-4-4-4
The driving wheels might be a little too tall though.
Carl T.
President of the Cape James Terminal RR.
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Posted - April 16 2007 : 9:59:14 PM
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GIC,
What is the unit coupled behind the ACE 3000? Was it supposed to be a tender? Or maybe a diesel for extra power?
Mike
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Posted - April 17 2007 : 12:10:44 AM
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Mike,
I do believe it was a tender, although how it was "tended" is not readily apparent. The designs and patents for the various ACE designs called for the use of modular "coal packs" which could be inserted into the tender, via a lift truck of some sort. I'm guessing that's what the grilles in the tender are for. I haven't read all of the literature on the ACE locos, but there sure were some fanciful concepts applied. I have a hard time imagining it, myself. It's just too.... wierd! A steam locomotive that wants to look like a diesel, inadvertently packaged in an electric body??? *headasplode* Frankenstein, we hardly knew ye!
Mike,
I'll keep my eyes out. I actually have a spare GS-4 I may investigate first. I just want to play around for now, I'm not seriously going to attempt a kitbash yet (that would require hacking up my new anachronism!) [:p]
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Posted - April 17 2007 : 08:56:33 AM
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Any chance you could post a photo of the pantograph? I just got the same Bachmann E60CF from a guy on ebay. But the pantograph "stuff" looks a little different. A clear overhead shot would help me repair that stuff.
Are you saying Chessie DIDN'T have these?!?!?! Guess I will need to do another repaint! Not to mention a remotoring. Mine runs in reverse only!
Mike
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Posted - April 19 2007 : 01:32:16 AM
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Mike - Nope, Chessie never had any 'lectrics. Except for maybe a couple battery-powered yard goats, one of which actually survived into CSX and currently resides at the B&O Museum. Weird, tiny little bugger, that.
Anyway - here's the pic(s) you asked for:
I was surprised to find, when I dug it out to compare, that the E60CP's pantographs are different:
Doesn't appear that any parts are interchangeable, save for the booms themselves. And in either case, those seem to be very fragile. Be very careful when "operating" them.
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on April 19 2007 01:33:36 AM
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Posted - April 19 2007 : 08:51:55 AM
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Thanks for the photos! I can now see why my loco's pantograph appears so different. Someone replaced the original with one made of metal. Mine also has some wires hanging down from the roof on the inside. Was the original Bachmann not set up to pickup current from the pantograph?
I have learned that one must be careful with regards to road names on older Bachmann locos. The names of popular roads were slapped on locos even if the real road never owned the unit. AHM, IHC and of course Tyco were also guilty of this as well! Made for some colorful units though.
Mike
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Posted - April 19 2007 : 11:56:01 AM
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basically, with all those steamers lined up like that, you'd call it a funreal train... their headlights aughta be lit up... Granted, no chance of anybody cutting into that funreal train...
cool comparison.
John
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?
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