What If? Design Project: 1925-1940 2ft Diesel

[John Kokas]

A smaller, more simplistic engine is being considered, but not a priority at this time.  Cost will be a major factor and the (well into the 6-figure) cost of the aforementioned unit will probably preclude it from being seriously considered.

[Robert Hale]

I'm not working on this project anymore. I shelved it and I will let the museum find the path forward concerning this issue.

Rob

[Mike the Choochoo Nix]

Since this is just a dream thread I'll contribute some thoughts. A diesel should be eight wheeled and should be either diesel hydraulic or diesel electric drive.  The weight on each truck should be around 22,000 pounds for a total of 44,000 pounds , and it should have a large enough power unit to give it 11,000 pounds tractive effort. That is about twice the tractive effort that #9 is supposed to have and about the same #6 was supposed to have had, with similar axel loading. This would allow the diesel to rescue any stranded trains and return with them.
Now one possiblity is to buy trucks from the Australian cane locomotives instead of the whole locomotive and use a new gen set made here. The frame could be shop built. I would favor a boxcab body, as it would be easy to build, roomy, and typical of early diesels.
Mike Nix

[Ted Miles]

I was also going to mention the Whitin Machine Works locomotives down in Portland. For body ideas, you might look at the pictures of the #2 which may still be down at Edaville. It was red the last I knew.

General Electric Erie Works put a lot of design into those locomotives; thus saving you considerable time and drawing effort. Also from GE; their model 25-tons is another good design, I am not sure if one could be re-gauged from 36" to 24" because of the motor size. But it is worth looking at. 
Ted Miles, WW&F Member

[Troy Congdon]

I was also going to mention the Whitin Machine Works locomotives down in Portland. For body ideas, you might look at the pictures of the #2 which may still be down at Edaville. It was red the last I knew.

Some information regarding the locomotives on question:
http://www.solrswat.ca/1_EquipmentRoster/Locomotives/Z_Model/B%2023%20Ton%20End%20Cab%20Roster/GE%2023.htm

[Robert Hale]

Since this is just a dream thread I'll contribute some thoughts. A diesel should be eight wheeled and should be either diesel hydraulic or diesel electric drive.  The weight on each truck should be around 22,000 pounds for a total of 44,000 pounds , and it should have a large enough power unit to give it 11,000 pounds tractive effort. That is about twice the tractive effort that #9 is supposed to have and about the same #6 was supposed to have had, with similar axel loading. This would allow the diesel to rescue any stranded trains and return with them.
Now one possiblity is to buy trucks from the Australian cane locomotives instead of the whole locomotive and use a new gen set made here. The frame could be shop built. I would favor a boxcab body, as it would be easy to build, roomy, and typical of early diesels.
Mike Nix

I was going down this exact path but there seems to be too much push-back from people that don't like the idea at all. Diesel-hydraulic is possible, but diesel-electric is out of the question due to the costs involved to do such a loco. I had suggested somewhere that my design was to be 20-25 tons, 300-450hp (twin engine) using HD pickup truck drivelines with a custom center gearbox and lower running gear. Max speed might have been around 25-30mph given the gear reduction of the drivetrain (10:1). Off the shelf parts for ease of maintenance and spares. Was going to try to make it look like an early 1940's 44 tonner just a bit smaller or like the DD51 Japanese locomotive. I can throw up some rough drawings of the mechanicals if they are wanted.

Rob

[Ted Alexander]

Hi All...
I saw this posted on the facebook page. Its an interesting idea. I know there are a few of these around. Would be nice painted for the WWF....https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2948012255223606&set=gm.1294522887410168&type=3&theater&ifg=1

[Wayne Laepple]

Two potential problems with these units. First, they range from 44 tons on up to 65 tons, way too heavy for our railroad. Secondly, due to the narrow space between the truck side frames for two-foot use, a standard traction motor will not fit. Perhaps we can find a non-railroad motor that would fit, but that raises a host of other challenges.