Photos

First, a prototype photo from my friend Andy Brown:

...and a couple model pics.  The prototype is pretty simple, so I didn't have many changes to make.  I modified the pilots to match the prototype and added a horn from the parts bin.  Couplers are short-shank Kadees, but they're still too long due to the limited space between the pilots and the trucks, forcing the coupler mounts further out.  Paint is Testors light aircraft gray and light blue.  Lettering is from a Microscale N&W caboose set, with the "M" coming from a "W" that was flipped, cut in half, and repositioned so the first and last strokes were vertical.  The things some people won't do to keep from having to buy a decal set...

Weathering was done with oils and PanPastels, though it looks like the oil wash in the grill is still wet in this pic. 

It looks really, nice any

It looks really, nice any videos of it running?

Question

I love the engine and love the effort that went into replicating it (including sound). I'm seeing a yellowish body color on the prototype and gray for the model. Any reason it's different?

Charles

Color

I could be wrong, but I believe that's a difference in lighting.  Every ADM locomotive I've seen has been light gray and light blue.  Here's another Andy Brown pic of the 4441 from the dark side.

Something else to note is the highlighting on top of the model (e.g. atop the headlight enclosures), where it's getting more direct light.  To my eye, that looks more like the color in that first prototype pic taken in direct sunlight.

45 tonners are neat

Thanks for the photos of the prototype and model Joe.  I have 3 of them: 2 will become HBM&S 100 and 101, the third will likely become HBM&S 90, a GE 600V electric that appears to have used the same frame as the 45T.  My prototypes didn't have the side rods but I think I'll keep them on the 100 and 101, they are neat to watch flailing around.  I'll remove them from the 90, need 44T/70T sideframes on it.  

I am interested in the sound aspect of the 45T, will be using the linked page as a guide for the eventual installation, thanks for that link. 

Don't expect to move many cars with this unit, I max mine out pulling 3 cars, and it slips on any sort of grade.  Probably much like the prototype does actually.  They also don't like dead frogs on turnouts as the wheelbase is too short to get across without stalling occasionally.  Maybe I'll run a triple header of 45 tonners pulling a massive 9 car train around the layout...

Marc Simpson

@Marc

Thank you Marc.  If I can't have the elevator, it's nice to at least have this little "mobile billboard" that says it's there.  And those siderods are so cool in action!  I don't blame you a bit for keeping them.

I'm surprised about your tractive effort experiences though.  I was thinking that mine was good for 7-8 cars.  Virtually all my cars are equipped with Intermountain metal wheels though.  Agreed on the turnout issues, but all my frogs are powered.

Lucky 7

Great post, Joe!  Thanks for posting the follow up articles about the spur and sound installation.  I bought the DCC critter last year and love it!  I consistently can pull 7 hoppers with it and hope to put sound in it soon.

Greg

all metal wheels as well

I have found any grade and the 45T starts slipping with more than 3 cars, I have a bit of up and down in the area where I did some test runs.  If it's dead flat it might do better.  It isn't really and issue for me as the 45T were used to haul slag with 3-4 thimble cars which are tiny:  http://www.shapeways.com/product/89VREEK4U/slag-car-ho?li=user-profile&optionId=40971484 Thanks to Tim Schwartz for making these, a real treat since it is based on the cars my prototype used.  I think you should run a slag train around the layout Joe, it gives new meaning to a hot train...

Marc Simpson

Video

Here you go.  It's nothing special, but gives a glimpse of the siderods in action.

Thanks! Again a great job,

Thanks! Again a great job,

switcher

very nice switcher great sound 

switcher

Thank you okiecrip.  Keith did great work on the sound install.  I have to add that I was also really impressed with the engineering that Bachmann put into this.  Really pretty amazing what they crammed into such a small space.  Besides smooth slow-speed running, mine will pull around 7 covered hoppers.

Nice engine

Looks like a nice little engine.

How will it be used during a session?

Very impressive little guy

Very impressive little guy Joe!! That is also some very nice scenery you have done.

Thank you

Thanks very much Dave and Kenny.

Good question Dave.  Unfortunately, given the limited space on the Atlantic Spur (shown below, right), I can only think of one way to use the 4441 during op sessions.

Since Harlan often requires one or two re-spots during a session, I thought of using the 4441's position to indicate that the elevator is ready for more empties, e.g. if it's in the clear on the Pellet Spur (on the left above), placed there by 0-5-0, the cars on the Atlantic Spur are loads that it brought down, and can be pulled.  I could then pull it out of Pellet and run up to the end of the Atlantic Spur, where more empties could be shoved against it for another trip up to the elevator.

I'd be grateful for other ideas.