The N-scale Milwaukee Little Joe is done! Is it worth the effort?

[Sokramiketes]

I'm not sure why this is getting so complicated...  A kit for a locomotive that was developed prior to the introduction of the Kato GG1 is being offered.  The parts work with the Arnold GG1 parts.  They were not designed for the Kato drive, so the Kato drive would not be a drop in for the developed parts.  If you think Greg Scott has time to randomly redesign a kit that isn't going to be a GHQ project, well, you probably think that creating masters is something that happens in 5 mins. 

Since all the molds and parts have been made and developed already, it's now possibly to cast a couple extras, toss them in a box, and mail them out to people.  As a courtesy! 

Now, if you really want a Little Joe, and really want it to be Kato powered, no one is stopping you from requesting a kit and putting in the effort to modify it for your needs.  I guarantee using these parts will be faster than scratchbuilding one entirely by yourself. 

Greg and his friend Joe Valerio have done a couple of benefit projects over the years.  They put in the hard work to build something they themselves want... and then are nice enough to cast a couple extras shells.  This one sounds like a very complete kit with many parts, so it's a step beyond those past projects, but take it in the same vein.  If it works for you great, if not, it was never meant to be a fully commercial product with associated guidelines and best practices...

[hegstad1]

EXACTLY Mike...

[thbguy]

Mike (Sokramiketes) has it pegged perfectly.
That was exactly what we were attempting to do.

Michael Livingston
Cleaning up my workroom instead of . . . 

"Look at what they make you give." ~ Bourne Identity

[peteski]

Kato GG1s have been around for at least 5 years (probably longer). How was I to know that this model was developed earlier. I thought that it was a newly-engineered model. 

[altohorn25]

I agree with Mike and Andy.  Andy of all people should know what Greg is up to with this.

Nate

[PGE-N°2]

In case anyone was looking for an alternative and isn't too picky, there is a thread on Trainboard for a 3D printed shell of a Little Joe that is intended to have a mechanism based off of Kato SD80/90 trucks for a "close enough" wheel size using kato parts to build a 4 axle truck to drop-fit the wheels and gears.

If anyone was truly worried about find GG1 parts, you use Greg's shell, and then go and print off the chassis once it is developed and you could marry Greg's model to a Kato motor if you really do want to, and hopefully with no offense to Greg or anyone else. I really think his shell is a fair bit better than the 3D printed one at this point, and I would very much be interested in it except that the technical expertise for the GG1 conversion surpasses me.

If he ever does offer us a Boxcab, I would definitely try and jump at that one, as well.

[CVSNE]

If we're still taking votes I'd be in for three of these, with the caveat that the price has to be reasonable!
Well, two are for a friend overseas, the third is for me....'cause Little Joes are much cooler than their namesake!

Marty

[peteski]

If this model kit will come to fruition, is there a ballpark ideal of when these will be released?

[u18b]

I'm still hoping for a ballpark on the money.

Are we talking $50?  $100?  $150?

[SkipGear]

Pure speculation / educated guess-

The Kato wouldn't work because the frame is to long and it is screwless frame. Two plastic clips on the ends hold the frame togther along with the shell. If you shorten the frame enough to fit in the Little Joe, those clips would be lost and nothing would hold the frame halves together. Besides that, the trucks are design for arnold parts. You may be able to use the side frames but adding the 4th axle would be up to you.

Beyond that, there is nothing wrong with an Arnold GG-1 mech, after a little fine tuning....



Motor from an Atlas MP-15. Kato worm shafts and bushings. Smooth and much more quiet than stock. No more jack rabbit starts.

[wazzou]

I'm still hoping for a ballpark on the money.

Are we talking $50?  $100?  $150?

I would bet much more than the latter, maybe just short of the sum total of the 3?

[peteski]

I would bet much more than the latter, maybe just short of the sum total of the 3?

Really? Without even including the Arnold mechanisms?

[wazzou]

Really? Without even including the Arnold mechanisms?

Have you seen the prices that some of their Pewter steam conversions fetch when out of production?

[peteski]

Have you seen the prices that some of their Pewter steam conversions fetch when out of production?

Sure, but this will be a resin model, which will be in production (until it is discontinued, and then it will fetch astronomical prices). 

[wazzou]

I don't suspect resin molds will yield all that many castings therefore I think it will be more limited, and I think I remember seeing Pewter parts and pans as well.