Let´s model a EFVM BB36-7

Pedro Rezende Dec 29, 2005

  1. Pedro Rezende

    Pedro Rezende TrainBoard Member

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    Hi friends,

    I´d like to invite you to a great challenge: to scratch a EFVM narrow gauge BB36-7.
    I open this thread to share informations on how to model this impressive locomotive. I decide to start with a BB36-7 because I think it isn´t so difficult. The BB40-2 and BB40T-2 are the most difficult models, because the locos received a lot of modifications. The BB36-7 just received porches on front and rear. After modeling a BB36-7, we can start a BB40-2, a BB40-9W, a BB40T-2 too.
    In my opinion, the most difficult parts to built are the trucks. Note the pictures enclosed (or the links). Have you ever seen a truck like this? I think they were designed specially to EFVM. I have the original drawings. If somebody wants a copy, just send the a private message with a email to receive it, because it is in Adobe format.
    So, let´s start. What do you think? Is it better to scratch the trucks or we can find something like it in HOn3? Yes, the BB36-7 model must be in HOn3, because the real locomotive is narrow gauge (1.000 mm).

    http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33719&cat=500&ppuser=3630

    http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33718&cat=500&ppuser=3630

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Akirasho

    Akirasho TrainBoard Member

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    G'day Pedro.

    Your challenge is very interesting and I'm sure you'll get some takers. Your locos remind me of a project that I started years ago... but dismissed as too radical to be believed... you can imagine my surprize as your prototypical 8 motor are close to what I had in mind!

    As for the trucks, at least in the US market, they might not be that difficult to reproduce... floating bolster two motor trucks are prolly readily available and the rigid 4 motor look like those used on UP double diesel Centennials... Athearn (at least) has made these in the past (I've got two) and they're prolly still floating around.

    Similar truck configs (using older AAR trucks) have been used on UP (at least) turbines and double diesels in the past... but your pics are fascinating to see on relatively contemporary equipment. Indeed, some of the pics you've shared look like a catalog of "Fallen Flags" from North American railroads! Some diesels never die... they find new life in Brazil!

    Where I'd prolly diverge with you at this point and time would be the guage. Unless I were planning on such a narrow guage line... or already had one... I'd still want my model to be able to operate on standard... but this is just me.

    I've never tried to modify a power truck or geared truck to a narrow guage, but it seems doable with just a tad of grinding and the proper guage! I applaud your efforts to remain true to scale and prototype! I'll have to use a bit more artistic license.

    I'm unsure of your main source for modeling supplies. My first inclination is to modify Athearn running gear... perhaps shells from various US makers. Are there Brazilian firms making these shells and trucks?

    I look forward to seeing your work!
     
  3. Pedro Rezende

    Pedro Rezende TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Akirasho,

    Yes, our project is not easy, but it will be rewarding to develop a model like this.
    In Brazil we have just one HO firm: Frateschi. But it isn´t interested in BB locomotives. That´s why I decided to model it. In fact, some guys here have made BB units in HO scale, but not real ones; they used false trucks finishing on Athearn C36-7 models. I think the challenge is to model a real BB unit, not a false one. We have to separate toys from model railroading.
    I know about the UP BB units in the past. It will be good to have some parts from old models to use on BB36-7, but I think the trucks are a bit different. I just sent you the original drawings. Compare it to old UP locomotives and you can perceive the diference. I, by myself, prefer to scratch the truck. I did some cats. Look the links. They are not good yet, but is the begining.


    http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=13930&page=2&pp=15
     
  4. Pedro Rezende

    Pedro Rezende TrainBoard Member

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    Well, let´s start with the model chosen to built a BB36-7. You can use a B36-7 or a C36-7 body shell, but it is necessary to pay attention on some details importants. Look the pictures enclosed (links) where I you see BB36-7´s made from old B36-7 and C36-7. The C36-7 are a bit bigger then B36-7, so the BB36-7 made from old C36-7 have plataforms smaller then those ones made from old B36-7. Also, the locos made from old B36-7 have a step on the front and rear plataform, as you can see in the pictures. All BB36-7 made from old C36-7 do not have those steps; the plataforms are entire.

    http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33834&cat=500&ppuser=3630

    http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33833&cat=500&ppuser=3630

    http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33832&cat=500&ppuser=3630
     
  5. Pedro Rezende

    Pedro Rezende TrainBoard Member

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  6. Pedro Rezende

    Pedro Rezende TrainBoard Member

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    Hi friends, sorry for the long time absent, but I was on vacation. Tomorrow I can return to my HO ploject.


    Pedro
     
  7. Donald Dunn

    Donald Dunn TrainBoard Member

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    Any update on this project??

    Donald
     
  8. stewarttrains98

    stewarttrains98 TrainBoard Member

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    Well you know that those amaze me. They are true, real life kit-bashes. They take the old stuff from the U.S. and rebuilt them. I noticed right off one was a ex CR and the other ex NS ex NW. I think IMHO that the U.S. rr's should keep them and rebuild them as they will always need medium HP as switchers and for local work. But looks like Brazil has figured out to make it turn a better profit for them.
     
  9. Donald Dunn

    Donald Dunn TrainBoard Member

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    Any update on this project??

    Donald
     
  10. verse2damax

    verse2damax TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've made a practise run at the kitbashing project in N Scale I'm going to start a thread in the N Scale forum so that those who are interested can view it there. I haven't started the modfication of the narrow gauge trucks or drive system yet. Probably ten years from now after someone else has come up with the solution:)

    However I'm still searching for a HO model

    verse
     

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