44 Tonner

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, so I wasn't going nuts originally on this topic. I love the 44tonners, but never thought I'd be able to make it happen.

But I'm starting to think otherwise...

[up1950s]

I solved some of that chassis showing so obviously below the sill above the trucks by cutting back the chassis at the truck area . I left the chassis its original width in the center section to help index the chassis in the center line on the shell . This looks much better to me . I also cleaned up the shell flash , drilled hand rail holes , and exhaust stack holes . Next is fabbing out the handrails . Still awaiting those RLW NP tender trucks . 

[tom mann]

Ok, so I wasn't going nuts originally on this topic. I love the 44tonners, but never thought I'd be able to make it happen.

But I'm starting to think otherwise...

9 pages can't be wrong...

[GonzoCRFan]

9 pages can't be wrong...

Just because a thread hits 9 pages, that doesn't make it good. But this one is. I really wish I was interested in one, but I cannot forsee any niche where a 44-tonner would be useful on my future layout. Youse guys are doing some really nifty stuff, though.

[tom mann]

9 pages can't be wrong...

Just because a thread hits 9 pages, that doesn't make it good. But this one is. I really wish I was interested in one, but I cannot forsee any niche where a 44-tonner would be useful on my future layout. Youse guys are doing some really nifty stuff, though.

I know, Sean, I was kidding.  Many, many, pages have been spent on crap before.

I'm excited about the 44 tonner project because it is one of the first times a group of people have come together to build the same model using a variety of parts. 

[randgust]

Sean, so what happened to PC 9999?   PC's only 44-tonner?

I hate PC but any locomotive numbered 9999 gets some credit:

http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/diesel-ge.html

EDIT:  Sean, I wasn't sure, but you actually had ONE...  At least on THIS source, it shows on the beginning CR roster:

http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/misc/rosters/76-april1.html

CR 9999.   Wonder what that would look like in blue?  You could have a lot of fun with little tiny can openers on that one....

Better photo.   Love the PENNCENTRAL (we don't have room for a space)
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/tr_pc9999.jpg

That's the great part about 44-tonners. Class 1's bought them to solve a labor issue, problem went away, locos scattered.  Now they are into their tenth of nine lives.
I'll be the first to admit that I have no particular reason to run a 44-tonner other than I think they are cool.  I have WAY more critters than assignments for them.  If you have one private industrial siding that would need respotting, you've got good reason.   Remember that any self-respecting Class 1 will hook the shipper $200 or so per car to move it a few feet to a different unload spot after original constructive placement.  Every time they touch it. That's why industrial switchers exist, because Class 1's hose the shippers on switching charges.

[Chris333]

Back on round one of 44 Ton madness I made sideframes and remember making sets for a few people. If anyone out there in computer land still has a set please let me know.

I can take those 4 sideframes and pour a new mold to cast 4 at a time.

Right now I only have the 4 frames that are glued to my old trucks.

[randgust]

Sorry, Chris, yours (mine) are also on my 44-tonner.....

[nscalesteve]

Many, many, pages have been spent on crap before.

hmmmmm ? spontaneously I would say Sultans of Steam !
mean ? who ? me ? I know...  :-[ :-[

[GonzoCRFan]

CR 9999.   Wonder what that would look like in blue?  You could have a lot of fun with little tiny can openers on that one....

Randy,

I've already had my fun with little can openers, I had to cut some out of a CRQ autorack decal to get ones that were the right size for a gondola I just decalled.

Anyways, I model between 1996 and 1999....I'm sure she was tossed into a BOF long before that...

[Allentown Hump]

CR9999 never made it to blue. I think I remember seeing a photo of it somewhere patched, but that's it. I believe it was scrapped somewhere around 1979-1980ish. There's actually a photo of CR RS-3m #9999 taken in 1984 in the Conrail Color Guide that looks like it has a couple of years on it, so right there you know the 44tonner didn't last long into the 80's...

[rtroop]

The Pennsy purchased 46 of them between 1947 and 1950.  They didn’t work out well due to their low tractive effort.  Since the units were a desirable commodity on the second-hand locomotive market of the early 1960s the Pennsy sold them all off by 1966 except for one sole survivor.  In 1959 number 9353 had been leased to the Union Transportation Co. in New Egypt, New Jersey.  It was a replacement for a leased class B6sb 0-6-0 switcher that was returned to the Pennsy. During the pre-Penn Central numbering plan it was overlooked.  When it was finally realized that 9353 was still around  it was given the highest number available, 9999.  It was eventually relettered for PC.  Union Transportation ceased operation just before the end of Penn Central and the unit was returned.  It was never relettered for Conrail and was disposed of in 1977.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Did the Strasburg get their 44-tonner in the PRR sell-off?

[SirTainly]

Did the Strasburg get their 44-tonner in the PRR sell-off?

Would seem so as it's ex PRR 9331

http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=GE%2044-ton

[diezmon]

Is anyone actually using the JnJ Shell?  They've got a broken link to that shell on their site, I hate that!