Model Railroading > The most interesting Tunnel motor model ever.

Wanted to share a model of an interesting use for an ex Rio Grade 40 T2. A Brazilian narrow gauge railway modified one for their railroad but still shows its design origin well. The model isn't narrow gauge, but it gets extra props for making a set of four two axle trucks per the prototype work flawlessly on the model. Brazilian railroading is not a high area of interest for me, but truly admire the ingenuity involved here! The dynamic brakes were moved into the cold air intake as the roof fans needed to be removed for tunnel clearance. What a cool prototype and fantastic model. Any other information on these are welcome here. 

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Great job! Do you know who built it? That DDM45 behind it is equally cool, I'd think. The Brazilians have done some interesting things in a similar vein with old Conrail/CSX Dash 7's.

Looks like it is based on the Rio Grande #5386-5397 series with the nose lights mounted on a box.

dmaffei Wrote:

> ... it gets extra props for making a set of four two axle trucks per the prototype work flawlessly on the model.

Who is "it?"
 

What is the purpose of this arraignment- to shorten the ridged wheelbase? Or maybe to make use of trade-in trucks?
SR

BoilingMan Wrote:
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> What is the purpose of this arraignment- to
> shorten the ridged wheelbase? Or maybe to make
> use of trade-in trucks?
> SR

i believe it was to help IT on tighter narrow gauge type curves SR. More ability to articulate. But the narrower traction motors were only available in this type of truck if I remember the conversation right. Would love to find an article about the locomotives build 

Big fad a few years ago, lots of coverage. Here's some from TO"

Date: 08/24/05 12:11
D&RGW found alive and well, almost
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?6,985620,985620#msg-985620

Date: 03/15/20 09:04
An ex SP tunnel motor here in town (Brazil)
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?6,4976815,4976828#msg-4976828

Date: 03/19/20 11:29
Switching operations with a tunnel motor (Brazil)
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?6,4979590,4980232#msg-4980232

Searched brazil tunnel motors.

Just FYI - Edson Yamazaki is the talented modeler who built that Brazilian tunnel motor.

Cheers,
Harry



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/14/23 23:19 by tracktime.

I think the main reason for eight axles is that six narrow (gauge) traction motors could not absorb all that horsepower. That's why the DDM45's had eight axles.

TCnR Wrote:
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> Searched brazil tunnel motors.

Thanks Neigbor! 

Edson did a fantastic job on the model. 

CPR_4000 Wrote:
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> I think the main reason for eight axles is that
> six narrow (gauge) traction motors could not
> absorb all that horsepower. That's why the DDM45's
> had eight axles.

That's correct re the traction motor capacity but also the extra axles were needed to meet the axle load requirement, 21 metric tonnes (46,300 lbs.) IIRC.

Dave