DCForum Discussion Forum - Columbia Gorge – The Dalles Dam Excursion Train

Here are some photos of The Dalles Dam Excursion train "Les Dalles Portage Railroad". I have some questions for the group.
First, can someone identify the locomotive and caboose?
Second, would someone like to try their hand at modeling or repainting the loco, observation car, and caboose? If someone volunteers, I will provide a free copy of my Columbia Gorge route when it is done! How can you beat a deal like that? I know I drive a hard bargain but I would really appreciate it if someone could help. I don't have the time right now to do it.The "observation car" is a custom job. I think it was built from an old box car, but not sure. This is the only photo I have.




Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, ORColumbia Gorge Route (15% done, The Dalles yard and dam(60%) in progress)

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RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, dvdhoven, Jun-22-02, 01:24 AM, (1) RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, philmoberg, Jun-22-02, 08:44 AM, (3) RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, patm41, Jun-22-02, 05:50 AM, (2) RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, calr, Jun-22-02, 10:10 AM, (4) RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, dvdhoven, Jun-22-02, 12:20 PM, (5) RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, calr, Jun-22-02, 11:50 PM, (6) RE: Columbia Gorge--The Dalles Dam Excursion Train, ge44tonner, Jun-23-02, 04:45 PM, (7)

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Hi,I am not sure but it looks like a GE 44 ton.
When that is the case, KWK is building for months a GE 44 ton. Try to email KWK or post this question on the Locomotive forum. Most of the time he is around there.Dick van den Hoven

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The loco is actually a very close cousin to the GE 44 Tonner. It's a 45 Ton unit built for the US Army during WWII. These were used in most theaters of the war, with some units converted for broad guage in India, and some for narrow guage in the Philippines and elsewhere. The conversion was done by changing the trucks. -Phil

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"Ill provide a free copy" Cal you going payware whth your route ??
patm41

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No, it was just a joke! Regardless how much work it is, I will distribute it for free. Incidently, I have been working for two months just on the dam! I spent a month researching it. It is difficult when you can't get close enough to get detailed pictures. I did find some excellent pictures on the Army Corps of Engineers site. I shot the pictures above, however.
Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, ORColumbia Gorge Route (15% done, The Dalles yard and dam(60%) in progress)

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Hi,When it is a GE 45ton, then there is good news. A 45ton is already in the download library. Look for dv_g45_b.zipDick van den Hoven

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Dick, thanks for the pointer. I found and downloaded that locomotive and it is apparently not the exact same model. There are many things that are different. I will keep looking or model it myself when I have time.I did find a couple of cabooses in the library that are very close to one shown above. I will try repainting one of those.
Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, ORColumbia Gorge Route (15% done, The Dalles yard and dam(60%) in progress)

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Yep, that is the Military version of a GE 45 tonner. It was essentially a modified 44 tonner, with a low-clearance cab.
Here's a link to a photo of another one:
http://www.midland-ry.org/midland/photos.html#45-TonThe GE 45-ton in the file library is indeed a different engine, being the industrial/shunter version.
The 44-tonner had a traction motor on each axle. The industrial 45-tonner has one traction motor per truck with motion carried to the other axle by means of side rods.
The caboose looks like one of the short 30-foot 'Northern Pacific' cars. I'm not aware that anyone has modeled this car in MSTS.

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