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When you want a locomotive diagram or blueprint, how do you look for it?-Favorite resources? -Favorite search engines? -Keywords?Anyone with something to say, post. I think this could be useful for others as well.
Depending on what railroad and what era, a good first resource would be the various historical societies, many of which have websites. Some are a bit more friendly than others. In addition, there have been a good many useful books published in the last half century, which you may be able to get through interlibrary loan. What, generally, are you looking for? -Phil
Personally, I usually try to find narrow gauge Baldwins, usually EBT, WP&YR, and D&RGW. Sometimes I build coaches from the same railroads. This is what I look for, but any other resources can help other people.
There are a few drawings in "East Broad Top," by Lee Rainey and Frank Kyper, published by Golden West in 1982. Try interlibrary loan first, since I'm not sure what used copies are going for these days.In the early- to mid-'70s (IIRC), Railroad Model Craftsman had drawings of a couple of the mikes and possibly other stock. I think the caboose has been done at least twice. Most of the other stock has been done, at one point or another, as well.You can get a free account at trains.com, and use their search engine to find them. Their database covers not only Kalmbach's magazines, but Carstens and several other publishers as well. It's a very powerful tool, and will help you narrow your search considerably. -Phil
I use Car & Locomotive Cyclopedias, some of which I picked up at auctions. These are Simmons & Boardman Publications, books in excess of 1000 pages, published for railroad purchasing agents. You might be able to find some on e-bay, but be advised, they are not cheap. I also go to http://www.trains.com/home.asp and search their magazine index. Often as not, I have the publication in my collection. For a free web-based service, you can try this (no dimensional data, however): http://paintshop.railfan.net/home.html
I have made it part of my job to find drawings of locos (with dimensions) through magazines like Diesel Era, Railroad Model Craftsman, and Model Railroader. Since they are actually drawn out using scaled down dimensions (but with the actual physical dimensions provided) they are nearly 98% accurate. I trust them implicitly. Kalmbach Books and MR have published 2 books of locomotive drawings, both steam and diesel. They aer pricey at around $40 each. Cyclopedia Vol. 2 is diesel and it covers a broad spectrum of locos, but it only covers some of the more popular and no 3rd gen locos. For everything else you just need to check for back issues typically listed on the 3 magazines websites listed above. The drawings provided on paintshop.railfan.net are very inaccurate and not good for much of anything. Sorry, but it's true. Like I said... just start looking through back issues of the magazines listed above. Good luck and happy hunting... =|GoldenPig Simply Streamlined visit me at www.dannybeck.com www.streamlines.ca
I can't attest to there quality but had anyone have any experience with P.I.Engineerings Cyclopedias on CD? I unfortunately didn't get to Tim Lewis of PIE about the Cyclopedias in any detail because there was a lot more to look at. He did indicate that the information was culled from other reference works, perhaps even some of those referred to above. Also, off-hand I can't remember the cost but that is all to be found at http://www.raildriver.com. Hopefully this is some help Bill Alder
I dunno.I never trust 3-views and blueprints. They're never completely accurate. I use them to get a rough idea of what the model should look like, then use photos and people in the know to fill in the rest. It worked with every plane I've made, and it works with every locomotive I'm making as well."The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!""To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore Roosevelt"Ahhh, a mother/daughter bonding over gay porn at lunch - the visions of my youth." -That girl I like too much for my own good
"The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!""To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."