Product Announcement - Briggs Models MLW M-420 & M-420B Kits

[BCR 570]

Product Announcement – Briggs Models M-420 & M-420B Conversion Kits
The following announcement is on behalf of Jeff Briggs.  Briggs Models is pleased to announce the release of conversion kits for the MLW M-420 and M-420B in N Scale.  The conversion kits are intended for the Atlas B30-7 or B36-7 chassis (not included).

Each kit contains a resin body shell, resin add-on parts, etched metal detail parts, phosphor bronze wire for the handrails, laser cut window glass inserts, and flexible wire for the chassis modifications.  There are alternate parts for the dynamic brakes, radiator, and steps.

The resin parts include ZWT truck side frames, fuel tanks (three versions), pilot/step assemblies, rebuilt steps (BCR), CN pilots, frame strips with air tanks, battery boxes, bell and bracket, light housings, roof inserts for dynamic brake and non-dynamic brake versions, radiators (original and rebuilt versions), and jig for drilling ditch lights.

The etched metal parts include alternate carbody panels, cut levers, grab irons, brake wheel, number boards, numerous cab details, radiator walkways, and handrail stanchions.
Directions for downloading a set of comprehensive illustrated instructions are provided.

Whats In The Bag (M-420):




Whats In The Bag (M-420B):




In addition to the Atlas chassis, the kits also require couplers, horns and snow plows.  The correct horns and plows are available from Miniatures By Eric.

Unlike previous Briggs Models conversion kits, it should be noted that these kits requires some modification to the Atlas chassis including replacement of truck sideframes and pick-up wipers.  They also require the assembly of handrails.

The kits will yield an accurate representation of the MLW M-420 as operated by Canadian National and British Columbia Railway, or the BCR M-420B.  These locomotives were subsequently sold to short line operators, where in some cases they remain in operation today.

Completed Sample by Jeff Briggs:






The kits retail for $100.00 CAD plus shipping and are available direct from www.briggsmodels.ca .  Production is complete and kits are shipping now.


Tim

[mandealco]

Having ordered 3 kits, and downloaded the instruction guide, in fact printed it and bound it into a small book, I see these as a brilliantly engineered kit, with highly informative instructions.  I suspect they're fairly idiot proof, and I look forward to proving that theory correct!

Thanks Jeff, lots more Alco-MLW's out there, that can't be a bad thing.  May have to put off the planned RS-23 until these and other projects are finished.

Cheers
Steve

[Hyperion]

I have absolutely NO reason to buy one of these.  But it looks so well done as a kit, and such a neat unit when done (sucker for Canadian wide-body/cab units) that I'm tempted to anyways.

[Philip H]

I have absolutely NO reason to buy one of these.  But it looks so well done as a kit, and such a neat unit when done (sucker for Canadian wide-body/cab units) that I'm tempted to anyways.

I'm with you.  These could so easily go with the Louisiana and Delta CF-7 I am doing with Randy's kit . . . .

[lock4244]

My order just arrived in the mail. No chance to look at them yet (beyond a quick glance), but they look nice. Fast shipment, too.

One wonders if an M630W can be far off... make sense given Jeff has the body and the cab.

[Puddington]

My order just arrived in the mail. No chance to look at them yet (beyond a quick glance), but they look nice. Fast shipment, too.

One wonders if an M630W can be far off... make sense given Jeff has the body and the cab.

or, dare I say it...a 636....?

[lock4244]

Oh yes, an M636 would be super.

[mandealco]

At the risk of getting a little off topic, though it's still on the subject of Brigg's kits.  The Briggs M-630 is almost an M-636.  The major difference is the radiator, which has 4 radiator cores rather than the 3 on an M-630.  The standard M-636 will look the same if the radiator is lengthened.  This could be done using Atlas parts or additional Briggs parts.  The one I made is a modified CP Rail M-636, with new air filters and water expansion tank, otherwise, it's just the radiator.

Cheers
Steve

[BCR 570]

An M-636 would be fairly easy for Jeff to do as it would only require minor changes to the CAD work for the carbody and a new master.  I believe that the resin and etched parts would be identical except for the radiator.

An M-630W requires a new carbody and a replacement deck and handrails - it has almost as much in common with the M-420 as it does with the M-630.


Back to the M-420.  For those wondering about the chassis modifications required for this kit, here are a few photographs:






Note that wires have been passed from the truck wipers up through holes in the chassis to the PC board or decoder.  The wire supplied is extremely flexible so as not to restrict any movement of the trucks.  This eliminates the contact strips which had to go to make this kit work visually. Jeff's sample is running well on a straight test track here at home, and I plan to test it further on our Unitrack loop at the Trains show this coming weekend.

I did not mention in the original announcement that Jeff will have a table at Trains where you can view and purchase the M-420 kits.  Jeff informs me that they are selling well!


Tim

[Hyperion]

Found an excuse to get one!

I've been wanting to buy a Arkansas and Missouri unit.  Partly for something Alco, partly just for something shortline.  And it fits my layout... whenever I get around to building it.

I didn't think that they had, but on a lark I checked, and turns out that the AM ran, it looks like, up to 3 of these at some point and a couple still show on the roster.  From pictures, it appears at least one of them moves at least occasionally still, but appears in pretty rough shape.  But that'll work close enough for me.  And as an additional plus it's still in a scheme I'd like to have ran, but never had a reason to either -- the old CN zebra.

[lock4244]

I wonder what the odds would be of Jeff doing an HR616? Sure to have some appeal to the right people, me for one, need three, but I could buy more if need be.

A CP specific C424 would also be something to consider, though you BCOL fella's are more apt to want a CN unit.

[BCR751]

The shell appears to sit quite high on the chassis.  Is it the way the photo was taken or is it because of a chassis/frame issue?

Doug

[Puddington]

I wonder what the odds would be of Jeff doing an HR616? Sure to have some appeal to the right people, me for one, need three, but I could buy more if need be.

A CP specific C424 would also be something to consider, though you BCOL fella's are more apt to want a CN unit.

"Here, here" for the CPR C424...I've done as much converting as I can on the Hobbycraft model and it's a/ a lot of work and  b/ not a pefect match.....







The CN version as well would be a great addition.....hey Jeff...how busy do you want to be....?

[Puddington]

...of course, if you REALLY want to take this new Briggs kit to the ultimate level, you could model this....

http://www.railpictures.ca?attachment_id=2467

During the winter of 1998, a severe ice storm cut off power to many homes and businesses in Ontario and Quebec. CN M-420 3502 was hoisted off the rails by crane and rolled along a street in Boucherville QC in order to provide power in the community. The engine was driven approximately 1,000 feet (305 m) under its own power to the city hall, where it then became a portable power generator.

M-420 3508 was also lifted from the tracks to provide power to a school being used as a shelter, but problems prevented this from happening, and 3508 remained on standby. Both engines suffered minor gear case damage and carved grooves in the pavement...

Now THAT's proto modeling with a Briggs product......

[mandealco]

Puddington
There were some great photos of the M-420 rolling down the street, not a rail in sight.  Thanks for the link.

Love your C-424's, and agree, a CPR version would be great.  Unlike the CN version, the CP's live on, all over the place, and not just in Canada.  The Apache, M&E, WNY&P, West Chester, Maine Eastern and others still roster ex-CP C-424's.  They are very distinctive.
Cheers
Steve