GE 70-ton project update

[randgust]

Here's the first one I've built using all kit parts - finished & painted as JW&NW 600:







The little JW&NW is a local road that always interested me because the right-of-way is still amazingly visible around Chautauqua Lake, and several depots were converted to local homes.  When it went out of the interurban electric freight business, it was purchased by the same interests that owned the Wellsville, Addison & Galeton (Salzberg) hence the common paint scheme.  It only lasted two years with the 70-tonners before abandonment, they went to Iowa.

http://jamestowntrolley.org/trolley/jwnw/jwnw600.html

Same loco repainted in Iowa:
Untitled Document

The JW&NW railroad was relatively notorious for decrepit conditions and bad track in the ending years.  The railroad went to Chautauqua Institution, a national religious conference center, and was supposedly nicknamed the "Jesus Wept & No Wonder" by a minister.  Always loved that one!

I used Testors Panzer Buff for the cream and UP light orange.

[up1950s]

Very nice Randy & Chris . I want 2 when your ready . What drive's will I need to make sure I have on hand , the Kato B I guess ?

[Matthew Roberts]

I'll take two, or at least I want to. How long were the 70-tonners in production?

[lv4142003]

Randy,
Fantastic model and paint!!! How long before they're available (I'll take 2) and will it have a "Randgust" designed frame and drive train? Joe Hueber <lv4142003>

[randgust]

I'm still trying to get production-level photoetching problems dealt with.  I'm not there yet...

To file the copyright, you have to show a 'finished' 3-d model, so this is part of it.

Wiki says 1947 to 1955 as production; 238 built.  I know the JW&NW unit was the Class of '47.

The trick of this one (which I don't reveal until I get the 'golden ticket' back on the copyright) is the Kato B frame stretch.  That took about a month this summer to test and engineer.  Until I got that right, the entire project was nothing more than a wannabe.

If you want to have some fun, go back and look at the white resin shots vs. this and compare the apparent sharpness of the parts.  It's quite the optical illusion on how sharp the edges are.  And this is with the final cab weight stuck in it.  Window glass is Krystal-Kleer, which I really like for GE gasketed windows.

[Sokramiketes]

If you look at the etched 44-tonner that came out a while back, you'll see why I'm counting on resin, particularly for GE.  You have compound curves at the hood edges, rooftop, nose, etc.  Not well suited for engraving at all.  The all-etched one looked like it was made of folded cardboard.  And, on a Kato critter, it naturally wants to short out everything when the pickups are at full set.

While I love Grant's F45, I think about everybody that's tried it has had the most difficulty with getting the edges and joints good between the etched roof portion and the resin body.

And you really CAN'T pour resin into brass.  The resin will run into places that air can hardly go.  It would leak around the sheets in all directions.

Now the tank casting is another matter entirely.  Richie, the first test of resin sides and a cast metal center was a complete success.  Photos to follow.

If the only way people want this is as an all-etched model, then I'm done.  This is already as much etching as I can stand, and trying to even get anybody to take it on for production may defeat it yet.  The inclusion of the etched parts will easily double the cost, and it takes several days to make just one set of etchings at home.  That's not particularly practical either, though its made for a great expiriment.

Is the artwork in autocad format?  (Assuming Chris did it, it probably is)  I can get you a quote on a single sheet of brass if you want to send me the file.  A lot of commercial etchers do frown on small runs, but I can work it in with some other production items.

[steamerlogistics]

Looking good, Randy.  I really like the hybrid fuel tank design.  Looking forward to prices and availability when ready.

By the way, there is a 70 tonner running on the South Simcoe Railway in Tottenham, Ontario.

Regards,  Mike

[SAH]

I about fell out of my chair when I saw that you chose the JW&NW for the paint scheme Randy.  Many years ago my wife's grandfather built a small summer home in Bemus Point a few hundred yards from Chautauqua Lake.  Her mother remembers the JW&NW under wire.  They would ride it to Westfield I believe.  Interesting modeling choice.

Steve

[randgust]

Well, if it isn't one thing, its another.

I think the photoetcher and I are finally talking the same language at least.  If I can get this going the way I want this will be a fantastic kit.

And about the time I'm ready to go here, I find out that the chassis is like completely sold out from Kato.  I'm told by my Japanese sources that it's due to be rerun 'in a couple months'.  If anybody knows of a stash of them anywhere, let me know, because right now none of my Climax kit buyers can find any either.

In a perfect world I'll be able to get the etchings done when the chassis are available, or I'll get the whole thing ready and the chassis are history.  Well, it was either this or buy lottery tickets!

[SquirrelHollow]

I have a personal horde of seven  11-106 / 107s.  But... I have a similar problem to many other people.  I can't find them. 

There is good news, though.  I'm selling most of my N scale equipment, so this is the only time you'll ever see me actually admit to having them.  Because of the same problem you're experiencing; when I found each one, I snatched it up and kept it quiet.

Anyway, once I figure out which box they're packed away in - I'll send you a PM.

[randgust]

Oh, I've got quite a stash myself as well.  I usually have eight or so in stock just for future projects.  But I'm not a dealer and folks have to find chassis on their own.

I've pretty much done all I can do at the moment.  I even had folks from Kato personally study my resin kits to try to understand why they kept selling out of the chassis.   They've had four distinct runs so far, which is about three more than they ever expected.

1)  11-105 with the 3v motor and the resistor
2)  11-106/7 with the 12 v motor
3)  11-105 with the 12 v motor
4)  11-105/6/7 with 12 v motor and low-profile wheels.

I've never had any indication from Kato that they planned to do something North American on their own chassis - just that they were at least mildly puzzled on what the Americans were doing with all of them.  I think at last count I can account for about 300 of them gone into my various kits and conversions.   Most people that buy one turn around and get a couple more.

[randgust]

OK, the photoetcher and I are under contract now, delivery 'supposed' to be in a couple weeks, we'll see how that goes.  I've got piles of resin kits waiting for photoetched parts.

Pricing will be $59 with some options, but more on that later.

If I know you are interested, you should have an email from me today.  If everybody that's interested actually buys, the first run will about be a complete sellout.  If you want to get on the email list, just drop a line to 70-tonner@randgust.com

I'm also updating www.randgust.com with what's going on with the project, so keep an eye out there.

If I can get through this project in one piece....!

[railspike55]

Plaza Japan has more listed...

Looks like they found more stock...


http://cgi.ebay.com/Powered-Motorized-Chassis-Kato-11-107_W0QQitemZ120244815242QQihZ002QQcategoryZ486QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

and .....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Powered-Motorized-Chassis-Kato-11-106_W0QQitemZ130217309513QQihZ003QQcategoryZ486QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Ron N.