In today's model railroad world, we can just about find any kind of locomotive, especially diesels, that we want. The choices are almost endless. But for some reason, the ALCO HH series has been MIA. ALCO "high hood" switchers were sold all over the country and even after retirement, continued to serve as second-hand units for off-line industries throughout the country. There have been runs of locomotives that were one or two of a kind but where are the ALCO high hoods? P2K, Atlas, Genesis, BLI, are you listening? Atlas and P2K already has the Blunt trucks from their S-1's...
regardless of the RS11's, it would be nice to see more ALCO's produced. I have been pleased with my Atlas Trainman RS32's.
Curiously, one of the earliest HO diesels ever offered to hobbyists was an HH660! Beginning in 1938, W.K.Walthers offered a castings kit that built into a powered ALCO HH660 locomotive. Production was suspended during the war, but the kit reappeared in the late 1940's and this motorized version continued available in the Walthers catalog until at least 1950. Thereafter, for many years (up until the early 1980's), a set of just the castings continued to be available. By todays standards, however, this model would be considered rather primative. I will agree that it is particularly strange that someone like Atlas has not offered this engine, as it would only require some modest modifications of their ALCO S-1 to recreate it. Perhaps now that the superstructure diagrams have appeared in RMC, Atlas (or someone else) will offer that engine in the relatively near future. Worthy of note is that, historically, most of the engines for which such dimensional diagrams have appeared in MR or RMC have eventually been produced by the manufacturers. Incidentally, for a time, Bradford Hobbies in CT offered a fairly good rendition of a New Haven HH660, based on an Athearn switcher mechanism. I've seen one or two offered on eBay in recent years. Then too, there is a very limited production, rather expensive, kit available that builds into this engine and is indeed based on the Atlas ALCO S-1. NYW&B
Have any brass importers offered a model of the HH-series? They seem to make everything else............but then again, brass ain't cheap.
Yes, Overland Models offered one, perhaps a dozen or so years ago. As I recall, initially these sold for around $200 ... nowadays they are going on eBay for about $400 ! NYW&B
This thread might be somewhat older (I found it by chance through google) but I would really like to see an Alco HH 900, too. Hopefully some manufacturer is listening and will do one (rather sooner than later and in plastics, please)...
Some of you have been waiting for this one, so Atlas is building an ALCO High Hood Switcher for those who are. The photo is from the 6th New England Prototype Modelers Meet conducted yesterday and Friday at Collinsville, CT. Thanks to Tom Murray for posting his photo of one of these units in black undecorated plastic. Here's the beast: IMG_3145.jpg photo - tom_murray photos at pbase.com And Webster, it would take a nuke plant to do that... -Tom Welcome Basic information on the HH660 and other ALCO HH Swithcers can be found here ALCO HH series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ed
Well, Gents, It appears our prayers have been answered. I have talked about this for several years and it so very good to see it finally on the verge of becoming a reality. If and when they appear, hopefully the Northern Pacific will be among the first run but if not, I'll just have to be grateful, buy whatever road (if there isn't an undec), strip it and apply the NP livery. I was 8 years of age when I first got a cab ride in one so it's been a sentimental thing besides the fact that I model the Northern Pacific. Hopefully, we don't have long to wait...
It's official: http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hohh600.htm I would have prefered a HH900/1000, but I will still get an HH600 and either just substitute it for an HH900 or perhaps fit a larger radiator in (as far as I know, this is the only difference between (late) HH600/660 and HH900/1000, right?)
Atlas didn't do an NP HH660 like I'd hoped but I won't wait around. I'll buy the closest paint scheme in an HH660 that I can and then strip it if I have too. I can wait until October 2008 but my painting hands won't go much farther!
Great news! I'll need to buy two of them, one SP and the other undecorated. I know CofG didn't own any of these but I'm the CEO now so things are about to change!
Yes, because of the increase in horsepower, a larger radiator size was needed. I don't recall the exact dimensions of the HH900 radiator but I think I've seen specs of it in the past. I understand that the HH660 and later series HH600's are externally indistiguishable. No stripping to do for my NP models; prime, paint and apply decals.
