I don't know about you, but I strive to make my Frisco models as accurate as possible. However, after all that rivet counting, I like to kick back and ask myself, what if Frisco had owned some other models (just for fun). What if branchline power was smaller than mainline power? I purchased four Athearn SW7 switchers, Two Athearn GP7 road switchers, and two Athearn U30B road switchers. From all of this I constructed two GP3's and two U15B's and a center cab switcher #27. That was alot of fun so I decided since the Big Nothing had a fleet of Diesel Fuel Tankers, I would have to make one for the Frisco; thus SLSF #190284 was born to go with the branch line fireght power. Not wanting to buy high grade diesel for brachline use, the Frisco bought Diesel that foamed alot, thus the large expansion tank dome. And to acomidate the fuel crew, Frisco built short cabooses like #41 from thier fleet of Ex ATSF CF2's. Not to be outdone the passenger department got into the act with branchline passenger power such as the two C8's called Big (Red) and Dust. And God forbid, the Frisco motive power department built four Steam Locomotives with the 2-6-6-2 wheel arrangment like #52. All of these locomotives are powered with operating LED headlights and I will probably convert them all to DCC at a later date. Enjoy!
LOL....That's funny. I like the 2-6-6-2 the best but some of those diesel locomotive really take the cake. I can't wait to see what they can pull.
I'm liking this Richard, Maybe another C8, is in order? So you can build a "Big-Dust-Storm" consist . And that tank car, boy thats gotta be close to "excess height car" status. I would like to see how you powered the Geeps. You gotta like this stuff. Thanks Tom Holley
Isn't it funny that the dome of the tank car is almost as long as the car itself? Half the volume of the car is in the dome!
The geeps are built on a powered Athearn Switcher chassis with cut down GP7 Shells, same for the U15B's. The two C8's are built on PDT powered trucks, by NWSL. As for the 2-6-6-2's, they are a modified Mantua Logger chassis with a plastic boiler removed and replaced by a Mantua cast metal pacific boiler. The Mantua long haul tenders were added in place of the logger tender. The drive train used the Mantua new can motor with NWSL drive train components replacing the rubber tubing. I also replaced the rubber band drivers with metal ones.
I can see that center-cab switcher used in transfer service in Kansas City, perhaps with another such beastie. Hey, if Baldwin could build one, why not EMD?
Bob, when I convert the center cab switcher to DCC, I am going to add a operating rotary beacon to the roof.
Very good work. It also justifies my own rare departures from reality. I have a Bachmann Spectrum GE 70 ton switcher which I am decorating as Frisco # 12. The two photos I am working from show its color as a light and dark blue. Sort of B&O and Conrail. These are the only photos and the loco has been gone for almost 50 years, so I decided to pick a dark blue that would show off the yellow Frisco lettering. I chose Model Master dark sea blue and am quite happy with it. Even if a third photo turns up, I'm still OK. Your equipment shows originality and makes model railroading fun for sure.
If you need one, I have a spare Athearn F-unit cab in my scrap box. It's in Big Nothing colors, but after a proper stripping, it should fill the bill. ANd besides, the Aussies have double-cabbed diesels that look like F-units, and Baldwin made doublecab "Babyface" carbody diesels for the CNJ, so a double-cab American F-unit is not implausible.
Them's some cool photos there. you're right, who says you can't have some fun with the What IF models.
And i'll admit, one time I had a vision of Frisco having a gas turbine locomotive like the Union Pacific had. I drew one and gave it the B&Y color scheme. I no longer have the drawing other wise i would have posted it here.
