As I se that the "other scales" category hasn't seen a post in awhile, I'm throwing out my current project. I have a Stewart VO-1000 that looked like it could use a bigger sibling. It's been a year or so in fabrication, but I had it out on the tracks for over a week this month and it has performed perfectly. Well, with the exception of shearing off the bolts holding on the rear brake beam on a long 2% downgrade hauling a dozen cars... A few handrails and grab irons are on the workbench. Power comes from two large deep cycle batteries providing power to two 160 amp motor controllers and then out to eight electric motors (two per axle). I have it set up with both regenerative braking and straight air brakes. I will update the thread later when I complete the body and take some builder's photos.
Very nice project. Builder's photo and any other photos or videos in operation would be welcome. Comments on your choice of paint scheme would be interesting. Black with yellow stripes is a favorite but I wonder if you considered the blue and white scheme.
Excellent "large scale" craftsmanship! And, the fact that it's a Frisco VO in B w/yellow stripes makes it even better!
I definitely considered the blue and white with the "FRISCO LINES" on the side. It was a flip of the coin that I went with the B/Y scheme. I am going to represent the blue and white for the business/observation car that I'm working on and will try to have on the track in the spring. It's a measly 9-10 feet long, so there will be a LOT of blue and white.
Blue and white will be adequately represented. I see you also have another vote for your black with yellow stripes. (Cannot wait for more photos!) Will you try to put sound in it? It just seemed like it might be fun to try, though perhaps a little tricky, especially with the power system you described.
Very cool Darren! What are the dimensions of the locomotive, how much does it weigh and how many cars will it pull? Plus any other details that you can think of, we want to know more! Joe
Windsor, as far as sound goes, Soundtraxx produces a correct sound decoder for the 8 cylinder De la Verge (sic) diesel. It is on my wish list, just gotta do some creative electron shuffling. You can here it here on the Soundtraxx page, << http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami2/tsunamisound_2.php?1=diesel >> then select Baldwin VO. I love the old diesels that sound like they are about to throw a rod at any moment. Joe, it's about 16 inches wide, 6 and 1/2 feet long, weighs a little over 400 lbs and I pulled 20 cars out of the yard and up a small grade with it. The two motors per axle helped with that. I also have a single note airhorn that matches the WABCO hooter frequency.
