3D printed shell, stainless steel etched details, installed on a modified Bachmann GE 44-ton chassis with Blunt truck sideframes.

KIT NUMBER/NAME and CONTENTS (see PRICELIST for prices)

N-325 HH600 , Alco switcher class 2300 3D printed shell, 4 truck sideframes, etchings (less couplers, decals), primed

Fits on a modified  N scale Bachmann GE 44-ton switcher.

HISTORY.

The first Santa Fe diesel, added to the roster in February 1935.  Delivered in an all-black paint scheme. Class consisted of 3 engines, 2300, 2301 and 2302. In later years aluminum/silver zebra stripes were added. Rumor has it that 2302 sported orange tiger stripes for a short time just after WW2. Units were mostly employed in Southern California and were retired around 1960.  

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS.

A N scale GE 44-ton Bachmann model is the drive for this Alco switcher. Truck center distance for the 44-ton is 18'-9" versus 19'-4" for the HH600 (about 1 mm in N scale) and truck axle spacing is 6'-10" or the 44-ton and 8 feet for the HH600 (about 2 mm in N scale). Its a very good drive and nothing else comes near....

Replacing the Bachmann truck side frames with the 3D printed Blunt side frames is easy. Just pull the old ones outward off the pins on the gear tower sides and insert the 3D printed side frames on these pins.

The new sides come in 2 versions with the top brake cylinder facing 2 different directions, the pointed end with the lever should be facing outward.

The major issue is adapting the frame. Unfortunately the old DCC board cannot be used anymore, it does not fit inside the narrow straight HH600 hood. The present chassis is 9 mm. The inside of the HH600 shell is also just 9 mm wide.

That's a bit tight fit............Scrape a little material off of the inside of the high hood with a straight scalpel or just remove the paint of the sides of the Bachmann chassis. You also have to cut of the sideways extending "fuel tanks "of the chassis with a grinding disc in a motor tool, flush with the long sides of the chassis.

Take the present chassis apart by removing the 2 screws in the chassis sides and remove the plastic inserts. Be careful not to lose the 2 plastic rings/washers that keep the 2 metal halves apart. 

BE CAREFUL..... DO NOT GRIND THE PROTRUDING TRUCK SUPPORTS...... THESE ARE TO BE LEFT UNTOUCHED. 

To protect the chassis during grinding process (and your fingers) I take a plastic cup filled with water and ice cubes. Every time the chassis gets hot to the touch I dip it in the water to cool it. 

The width of the motor is 8 mm so the whole assembly should just fit inside the 3D shell without force.... just a little press fit.

You have to to decide how to power the engine. DC is easy, just connect the 2 motor leads to the chassis halves.

DCC with our without sound is also possible. The hood being quite high, there is a lot of space above the adapted chassis.

To be exact 9 mm wide and 7 mm high over the full length of 59 mm of the body.

If you go for DCC without sound that's more than enough to accommodate the decoder plus 2 LEDs for headlights AND extra lead weights. There is also some spare room in the cab and other hood end to fit in some extra weights. Sound is a bit of a challenge. The smallest sound decoder - ESU Loksound 5 Nano - measures 19,6 x 8,5 x 5,3 mm. The smallest sugar cube speaker are 8 mm wide, but extra weight will be a challenge.

You can make the all-black version or apply the aluminum zebra stripes from Microscale decals.Even the orange tiger stripes if you wish. The model comes with the shrouded headlight as used in WW2 but the shroud can be cut of if desired.

The couplers is a drop in for MTL 1015 and they should ride at the correct height when the chassis is properly inserted.

These instructions should basically apply for H0 also. The inside measures of the H0 body shell are 16.5 mm wide, 108 mm long and 33 mm high. Finding a second hand GE 44-ton on eBay or at a swap meat should be possible/easy.

Have fun with building this little switcher!