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Post by edwardsutorik on Jun 15, 2014 21:29:50 GMT -8
I don't know if it's really a "critter", but it is certainly a new small diesel switcher:  and a prototype shot:  It looks kinda interesting. Ed |
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Post by Spikre on Jun 16, 2014 12:23:40 GMT -8
 Ed, yup,,,thats a Critter !! looks like my Atlas O Plymouth,except for the exposed wheels. any prices shown ? Spikre 
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Jun 16, 2014 17:13:53 GMT -8
$150
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jun 16, 2014 17:59:42 GMT -8
True, they ain't giving them away. BUT They're DCC, got lights, die cast (ie: weighty metal), cab interior AND They look like they just might be a scale model of a real critter. That's something that's been awfully rare in HO. I figure I'll get one for light duty work on my logging line. It should go well with my pair of 70 tonners. Ed |
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Post by stevewagner on Jun 16, 2014 18:39:48 GMT -8
Note that BLI's announcement states that the little switcher ran on gasoline, not diesel fuel. How common was that among light-duty industrial switchers?
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Post by Brakie on Jun 17, 2014 3:54:42 GMT -8
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Post by catt on Jun 17, 2014 4:17:53 GMT -8
Davenport had a whole line of "gas" mechanicals available in most gauges.
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 5:13:26 GMT -8
It says right in the announcement it's a Plymouth WLG-8 6-wheel.
MANY industrials ran on gasoline, especially older ones.
In some cases this model lacked the dome nearest the cab. An easy fix if your prototype didn't have one.
While a real engine, they are being offered in fantasy schemes only. They could have picked a few real companies but they big roads sell.
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 7:19:02 GMT -8
Fantastic series. I have them all. Morning Sun books has a series "Railroad Critters In Color" with five volumes so far. |
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 7:24:25 GMT -8
It is weird they didn't do PE. The PE doors have a zillion holes in them for airflow. While the BLI model looks to have slots. Maybe that scared them off.
On the other hand, those class I's never rostered them at all.
Who know the thought process behind it? Not I.
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Post by Spikre on Jun 17, 2014 8:49:34 GMT -8
 Ambluco, depends on the Class 1,some used "CRITTERS" at Tie Treatment Plants, some at large shops to move dead locos or cars around. CNJ had some sort of Critter at Eport for years. if Class 1s had them they would generally in Captive Service and not be road or branchline power. which is the best book in the "Critter" series so far ? Spikre 
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 9:18:05 GMT -8
Well, I was referring to the prototype, the WLG-8. No class I's on the roster of who got them. Lots of Class I's had critters, just not WLG-8. I'll take a look again tonight and double-check. I just saw a long list of industries. Ambluco, depends on the Class 1,some used them at Tie Treatment Plants, some at large shops to move dead locos or cars around. CNJ had some sort of Critter at Eport for years. if Class 1s had them they would generally in Captive Service and not be road or branchline power. which is the best book in the "Critter" series so far ? Spikre |
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Post by Spikre on Jun 17, 2014 9:25:27 GMT -8
OPPS !! Ambluco, meant Critters in general,not just this BLI WLG-8. note the change to the above post. Larry, Penn-Line mustnt have made too many of those Davenports,they arnt too common at Train Shows now. Lindsey also had a Critter that was based on reality,as was the Tyco Plymouth - but maybe slightly oversized ? will skip the "fanatsy" Critters for now. Southern had a neat 0-6-0 Critter at its Pegrim Shops if remembering correctly? Spikre |
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Post by alcoc430 on Jun 17, 2014 9:55:33 GMT -8
You can preorder them at factory direct trains for $120. |
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Post by alcoc430 on Jun 17, 2014 9:57:56 GMT -8
Well, I was referring to the prototype, the WLG-8. No class I's on the roster of who got them. Lots of Class I's had critters, just not WLG-8. I'll take a look again tonight and double-check. I just saw a long list of industries. Ambluco, depends on the Class 1,some used them at Tie Treatment Plants, some at large shops to move dead locos or cars around. CNJ had some sort of Critter at Eport for years. if Class 1s had them they would generally in Captive Service and not be road or branchline power. which is the best book in the "Critter" series so far ? Spikre At least they have two painted but unlettered versions. |
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 10:14:25 GMT -8
Both of which I ordered. At least I don''t have to worry about removing lettering.
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 11:30:24 GMT -8
As I said above, I didn't see any at first glance last week when I looked at the list. But I may be wrong on no class 1's. I'll look tonight and pull out my PE info.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jun 17, 2014 11:58:00 GMT -8
The PE doors have a zillion holes in them for airflow. Naw. Look at the shadows. They're raised nubs, not holes. We should have some kinda contest about what they're for. I'm guessing a whole lotta started buttons with only one hooked up--to foil locomotive thieves. Ed PS. What, no trolley pole?  ?? |
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Post by jeoffreythecat on Jun 17, 2014 13:24:44 GMT -8
As a Virginia Central modeler, I'll highlight the Virginia Central's #200 shown in the photo in the opening post:
The unit was 250 hp 35-tonner with 17,500 lbs. of tractive effort. It was built in 1936 for National Malleable & Steel Casting. It came to the VC around 1949-50 in its original gray. Sometime before 1971, it was repainted in the black and yellow scheme complete with a red stripe on the frame and a red top on the dome. On occasion for bigger trains, it was double-headed with the smaller 30-ton Plymouth the VC had. Showing its age, bigger power replaced the Plymouths in 1975 and it scrapped by 1978.
John
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Post by ambluco on Jun 17, 2014 14:18:35 GMT -8
I verified that yes, PE #1647 is a WLG and that it is the only Class 1 (large RR) in the list. It was sold to the SP for the PE, which happened frequently.
Otherwise, a few shortlines but mostly industrials.
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Post by GP40P-2 on Jun 18, 2014 13:23:53 GMT -8
Nice to see some smaller units being produced. Now what we need is a GOOD GE 70 tonner in the various phases. Atlas (hint, hint) could do a ton of road names in these, including a bunch that were in their backyard there in NJ.
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Post by mlehman on Jun 18, 2014 17:25:08 GMT -8
Nice to see some smaller units being produced. Now what we need is a GOOD GE 70 tonner in the various phases. Atlas (hint, hint) could do a ton of road names in these, including a bunch that were in their backyard there in NJ. And if they were easy to convert to HOn3 like the B-mann's, they would sell even more. Converting the B-mann's eventually left me wondering if the conversion was worth the trouble, considering the irritations in the rest of the drive (noisy, worthless "free" decoder, etc). |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 7, 2014 14:50:04 GMT -8
The BLI site is showing a physical sample of this model. Should you care to have a look.
As it is, the footboards look awfully weird. And the Kadee gladhand won't fit, I think. Aren't you glad you went over to Sergents?
Ed
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Post by roadkill on Jul 7, 2014 16:55:05 GMT -8
Penn-Line mustnt have made too many of those Davenports,they arnt too common at Train Shows now. Lindsey also had a Critter that was based on reality,as was the Tyco Plymouth - but maybe slightly oversized ? Spikre:) Slightly oversized??? Heeheehee... the understatement of the year LOL ! All those various and sundry versions of the 4 wheel Plymouth MDT were DRASTICALLY oversized, and in face were even somewhat oversized for S scale! |
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Post by Spikre on Jul 9, 2014 8:42:37 GMT -8
Roadkill, was referring to the made in USA Tyco Plymouth,not the Euro or Hong Kong MDTs they had later. it used the same power truck as the F9[7],GP20,C430,50s Metal Sharknose. it is slightly oversize,but not as bad as some of the in between OO and S gauge versions that came later. it is also possible to add RP25 wheels,drill out the rivits to make a removable bottom plate for cleaning and lubing. will get its model number later out of DSG-II,it isn't an MDT,JDT, or DDT, but did have its own model designation. Spikre
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 9, 2014 10:17:55 GMT -8
Here's the prototype of the Tyco critter, the Plymouth CR-4:  and the model:  Note that the cab is offset, like the C415. The photos show opposite sides, so beware of that when comparing the two. It's kinda hard to to tell from the photos how much the Tyco is too big. The wheelbase of the Tyco truck is 10'. I do wish the body casting for the model weren't so incredibly crude--it coulda been a contender. But I don't recall any other model critter of the times that wasn't equally crude. Except perhaps for the brass ones from Westside. They were awfully cute. But I would say that the Tyco was likely the best low-cost critter of its day. I'll keep an eye out for one. Here's a quote from a forum: "The Plymouth CR-4 is a very rare critter and I am surprised to hear that you have actually seen one. Plymouth Locomotive Works only built five of these models (1957 - 1965); but discontinued production when it became apparent the CR was no improvement over the MDT model. Oh, of the five CR-4s built, one was exported out of the U.S...leaving only four stateside. Please keep in mind, J3a-614, that many of these little engines were extensively modified over their working life...perhaps the one you saw was modified for standard gauge. I happen to possess an original sales brochure for the CR line and it clearly states under track gauge "...30 to 48.5". BUT in the supplied technical schematic (part of the same brochure) it shows a width of 10' 0", a height of 10' 6", and a distance between the flanges of ('ready for this?) 4' 8.5"!!!! Apparently the sales department and the technical lads were on different wavelengths. I hope this answer your question...I enjoyed the research. Ray BTW: the CR-4 was the basis for Mantua's HO model." Ed |
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Post by Spikre on Jul 9, 2014 15:50:49 GMT -8
that's the Critter Ed !! maybe the model is slightly long to go over the Power truck ? not too bad for a pre-1960 Critter. the Tyco made in the USA 4 wheel Trolly also used the 4 wheel power truck,so they can be up-graded a bit also. CR-4 = Christian Root designer?,4 wheels. Plymouth was the trade name for the Fate-Root-Heath co. Nice Pics Ed !! Spikre
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 9, 2014 17:53:55 GMT -8
I scaled off the photo of the prototype, and it appears that it had 36" drivers and a wheelbase of 7'-6". The model has a wheelbase of 10' and I would guess the wheels at 40". Still, rather nice, if it's got the weight. And room for a decoder.
And, ya know, in that quote up above where the writer refers to a sales brochure stating the available gages were 30" to 48.5", I'm a suspecting that that latter number was meant to be 4'-8.5" and got entered wrong. 'Cause 48.5" is an awfully strange gage. To me. Then, of course, that 30" might really be 3'-0".
Ed
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Post by Spikre on Jul 12, 2014 8:26:54 GMT -8
Ed, try to re-measure the Power Truck,it may come in at 9'10" ? that was the wheelbase for the Baldwin GSC Type B road truck as used under the Sharknose Diesel that Mantua released about late 1954. maybe the only time in a mass market model that the wheelbase was close to correct for a Baldwin Road Loco. most other Sharks used the regular 9'4" wheelbase truck. now and then those Metal Sharks show up on Hobbytown of Boston Power Chassis,great pullers if nothing else. Spikre 
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 12, 2014 9:12:34 GMT -8
Spikre,
I don't have one handy to measure. I am recalling (I hope) the number from a review back in the day. They said (again, as I recall) that the Mantua truck had a ten foot wheelbase rather than the proper nine foot. The reason given was that the length of the motor demanded it. Maybe it was, instead, designed to go under a Shark. But for reasons known to the company, they decided to go with an F7A. And no B. I think they called it an F9A. Now, I wish they'd done the Shark, instead. Did we really need another F7A? Well, yeah, the Highliner one.
Ed
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