NW5 kitbash?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

How should I kitbash this model:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=12262

I was origonally thinking of using a LL SW1200 shell, but now that we have the Kato NW2, I'm not sure. I imagine an RS1 chassis will work, but i'm not sure on the shell.

The long hood looks to be about two feet longer then the NW2. This appears to be directly in front of the cab. The walkways are stepped up about 6 inches over a regular switcher frame. I belive the second "step" in the long hood is to compensate a higher hood to the standard hight cab.

What do you guys think?

[central.vermont]

This is a kitbash that has been on my mine
as well.
So does anyone have a drawing of these or now
of a magazine that may have had one printed.

What's the wheel base of one anyway?

Jon

[3rdrail]

There's an article by Tim Diez in the Sept./Oct. 2002 issue of N-Scale magazine on building one of these, so construction is well covered. Plans are in several places, like the 10/62 issue of RMC and the 6/68 issue of MR, as well as a book LOCO 1: The Diesel published by RMC in 1966.

Have at it, guys, and keep us posted as to progress. 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Tim's version is of the GN/BN version. This was totally different from the SOU version that Mass Central had. They may also have different frame lenths.. From what I remember (i have seen this engine a few times), the lenth is about the same or a little less then a GP7/9. This means the RS1 frame, which is really the only option anyway is about right. It will need to loose a flywheel and some frame metal to make the SW "squeeze".

[Chris333]

I remember seeing one in a Railimages album, can't remember who's. They stretched a LL SW frame and mounted GP trucks in it. The problem of starting with another frame might be fitting the switcher body on it.

[wcfn100]

I saw on RailImages too.

I think this is it:

http://www.railimages.com/gallery/nw5


Jason

[Iain]

I know that the LL SW trucks will work in Atlas four-axle locomotives.  I know because I tried.  However, they seem to be geared backwards relative to everything else, ie if you drop the LL trucks into an Atlas mechanism the Atlas mech will go in the reverse direction.

[John Burkush]

It looks like quite the hybred.
How many of these did EMD build and who purchased them ?

[diezmon]

I saw on RailImages too.
I think this is it:
http://www.railimages.com/gallery/nw5
Jason

Yep, that would be mine

Tim's version is of the GN/BN version. This was totally different from the SOU version that Mass Central had. They may also have different frame lenths.. From what I remember (i have seen this engine a few times), the lenth is about the same or a little less then a GP7/9. This means the RS1 frame, which is really the only option anyway is about right. It will need to loose a flywheel and some frame metal to make the SW "squeeze".

EMD made 13 total, with ten going to GN.  I didn't realize the other three units made were different from the ten that GN had??  Every plan I've ever seen has had the same length etc..

You're not going to have much luck using an RS frame.. The motor is located right at the narrowest part of the NW body.  I found that it couldn't be done.. unless you'd remove the motor completely.  Thus the stretched SW frame. Plus, you get 8wd  that way.  Then LL GP20 trucks are a drop-in fit.

I've got the "word document" version of the article if you'd like to take a look.

Tim

[Mark5]

FWIW:

http://yardlimit.railfan.net/emd/nw5/index.html

http://paintshop.railfan.net/images/lytle/nw5.html

http://southern.railfan.net/images/archive/southern/switchers/sou2100.jpg

[diezmon]

I just did a quick conversion from the word doc to html.  It's full of Microshaft HTML bloat, but here it is 

The pictures aren't exactly the same as the article, but I don't have a slide scanner.. so these will have to do.

http://www.diezfamily.us/railroading/nw5/

Also, here's a link to the plans from the BN annual:  Scanned at 100%, so printing directly should end up in HO scale. http://www.diezfamily.us/coppermine/albums/userpics/nw5_diagram.jpg

Tim

[3rdrail]

I don't believe that EMD custom made different versions of the NW5. I do recall getting real close and personal with the Southern Railway's version when it was the locomotive assigned to the Louisiana Southern, SOU's short line that handled the traffic downriver from New Orleans. It was based in the block that the Louisiana Railroad Museum leased from SOU that had once been the Louisiana Southern's HQ and shops on St. Claude Ave. From my memory the only difference between it and Tim Diez' model was the paint job...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The walkway for the GN NW5 if deffinatly different from the Sou NW5. I think this is how I will proceed. I will use a Kato NW2 for the long hood and cab. I'll use parts of an LL SW1200 to build the back of the cab and finally I will use a Arnald/Riv SW1200 calf for the short hood. The walkway will be spliced from the LL SW1200s.

I guess this will all fit on a streched LL chassis.

[Mark5]

http://yardlimit.railfan.net

[diezmon]

The walkway fo the Sou NW5 if deffinatly different from the Sou NW5. I think this is how I will proceed. I will use a Kato NW2 for the long hood and cab. I'll use parts of an LL SW1200 to build the back of the cab and finally I will use a Arnald/Riv SW1200 calf for the short hood. The walkway will be spliced from the LL SW1200s.

I guess this will all fit on a streched LL chassis.

remember that the short hood is also narrow.. so you'll have to grind the chassis as well, to get the right width

Good luck. let us know how it goes!