Model Railroading > Scratch Building Brass Diesel Locomotives?

Recently, I saw an article in several 1955 Model Railroaders (Feb./Mar.) on scratch building an SD-7 using brass. 

Besides the occassional magazine article are there any definitive websites or books on scratch building brass locomotives? 

Why would you want to put yourself through all that agony when there are such beautiful models in plastic today?  Or are you like the mountain climber when asked why he'd go through all that work replying "because it's there". 

cabman Wrote:
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> Why would you want to put yourself through all
> that agony when there are such beautiful models in
> plastic today?  Or are you like the mountain
> climber when asked why he'd go through all that
> work replying "because it's there". 

Some folks out there are marvelous craftsmen and enjoy building things from scratch.  I stand in awe of such people and am so impressed with what they can do.  In a world that is increasingly becoming a plastic, "throw away" society, I applaud those who take the road less traveled.  Anyone can simply buy a ready made locomotive.  A mere handful can build one from scratch out of brass.  It sounds as though the OP is one of those rare and unique individuals.  You go JoeBlow!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/15 07:29 by Streamliner.

Try one in plastic using those Cannon parts first to get a feel for what is involved. The cabs for the the 7,9,18,20 lines are not available so you will have to scratch build those along with the hood ends.

Precision Scale has a lot of the parts for SD45T-2 models which would be the next step after a plastic model construction.

Posted from iPhone

  Some like you will never understand why we take on challenges rather than just leave thing to be done by someone else. I have trouble understanding why others don't seem to be able to do what I do. Am a retired heavy duty mechanic and have built structures from scratch without plans, full scale, modified about every vehicle I have ever owned in some way and done most of my own house hold mechanical work. That is why he would like to try to do it rather than sit in front of a TV set. Not trying to put down your view just standing up for others who do the same as I do. Boyd in Chikoquin where the snow just showed up from out of nowhere last night.
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> Why would you want to put yourself through all
> that agony when there are such beautiful models in
> plastic today?  Or are you like the mountain
> climber when asked why he'd go through all that
> work replying "because it's there". 

The situation is even worse in "O" gauge! Finding scribbed wood for reefer is impossible. I have round roof stock to build an express reefer  but I can't proceed without scribbed siding. I would also like to build an old PE Box motor but, again no scribbed siding! RTR cars for O gauge are routinely 50-80 dollars. Those prices are beyond my budget!

The ones I've seen start with a fret of photo etched parts.  I remember years ago there was a photo in MR of a scratchbuilt in brass SP GP40P-2 built by Chris Clune when he was a teenager so it can be done.
In my industry, if you want something you have to make it and often I even make the tools to make what I'm trying to make.  It takes a certain vision to see beyond what things are and what they could be.  If there is a will, you can find a way.


JoeBlow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Recently, I saw an article in several 1955 Model
> Railroaders (Feb./Mar.) on scratch building an
> SD-7 using brass. 
>
> Besides the occassional magazine article are there
> any definitive websites or books on scratch
> building brass locomotives? 

cabman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why would you want to put yourself through all
> that agony when there are such beautiful models in
> plastic today?  Or are you like the mountain
> climber when asked why he'd go through all that
> work replying "because it's there". 

Some would say it's because of a thing called pride in ones own accomplishments.

TomPlatten Wrote:
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> The situation is even worse in "O" gauge! Finding
> scribbed wood for reefer is impossible. I have
> round roof stock to build an express reefer  but
> I can't proceed without scribbed siding. I would
> also like to build an old PE Box motor but, again
> no scribbed siding! RTR cars for O gauge are
> routinely 50-80 dollars. Those prices are beyond
> my budget!

You might try getting in touch with my friend Gerry Cornwell at Mt.Albert Scale lumber. If he doesn't already make it, I'm sure he will lend an ear to what you propose.
http://mtalbert.com/scale-lumber/packaged-stripwood-sheets/basswod-sheets.html

Posted from iPhone

TomPlatten Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The situation is even worse in "O" gauge! Finding
> scribbed wood for reefer is impossible. I have
> round roof stock to build an express reefer  but
> I can't proceed without scribbed siding. I would
> also like to build an old PE Box motor but, again
> no scribbed siding! RTR cars for O gauge are
> routinely 50-80 dollars. Those prices are beyond
> my budget!
You can scribed wood in places that cater to doll house makers. Look online for various sizes.

Posted from Android

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR