The Rake’s Progress

Gary asked if he saw a De lurking about on the UEB Siding.

Well, yes, you did; and here is a way better photo. Currently, she needs to be numbered (choice of either: 1366, 1389, 1412, 1429 or 1458 – all who worked the southern Mainland from 1981-89); heavily weathered and receive a damned good DullCoating (although most of the shine is a result of the camera’s in-built flash).

Enjoy.

This entry was posted on August 26, 2010 at 4:04 am and is filed under Locomotives . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

8 Responses to “The Rake’s Progress”

Gary Says:
August 26, 2010 at 10:32 am

Can you please provide some details of the De…chassis, body construction etc? As you may be aware, a poll 12 months or so ago indicated that there was a requirement of about 20 of these beasts within the NZ120 group.

Thanks Dorian

Reply
Little Trains of Thought Says:
August 26, 2010 at 9:01 pm

All I can really tell you is that it is a Minitrix model 2001.

“Growler” (as she is affectionatly known) was purchased sometime during 1993 or 1994(?), on the recommendation of Reuban Romany (a member of the original NZ120 Christchurch group). As I had only recently been introduced to model railroading, and really had no clue how to do a conversion (honestly, I still don’t … my areas of interest are scenery and operations), I left it in his hands.

I seem to recall it was only the cab that required the most re-working.

Re: the Poll, I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you are saying. Are you saying there needs to be at least 20 members interested in obtaining a De superstructure before one is etched? If so, there could be a problem obtaining a suitable under-chasis.

Reply
Gary Says:
August 26, 2010 at 9:58 pm

Dorian…thanks for the info.

Indeed, the chassis for the De has been the stumbling block to date.

A number of options have been suggested over the years including:
– http://www.reynaulds.com/products/Roco/23393.aspx
This looks to be a possibility and they appear to be still available…at a price!
- Paul W and I were looking at other drive options including the Bull Ant assemblies from Hollywood Foundry.
- a FA-8 with shortened chassis.
- FM H-44
- GF Class 20
- plus others…..

The development of a kit was being discussed at the time and the poll indicated that about 16 units were wish-listed at the time of Message #594 on the Yahoo NZ120 Chat group.

I would like to see the De project revisited with the advent of RP and the expertise we have in the NZ120 group for various types of prototyping! However, Dorian, this is a subject for NZ120.org perhaps rather than here.

Cheers

Reply
Bazza Says:
September 10, 2010 at 11:37 am

Gary, why don’t you start a thread on the NZ120 forum about who is interested in a De ? Or better still, fund the making of a De master and sell them yourself ?

Reply
- Gary Says:
  September 12, 2010 at 11:29 am
  
  Hi Bazza
  
  I have been exploring your above suggestions recently and have started a master De.
  Have got the chassis, motor, and body/cab sides sorted but struggling with the long hood roof profiling at present !
  
  Thanks for your comments.
  
  G
  
  Reply
Bazza Says:
December 3, 2010 at 11:24 pm

hey gary any news on the De ?

Reply
- Gary Says:
  December 4, 2010 at 8:03 pm
  
  Slow progress Bazza….but progress none the less.
  I have the sides, chassis, and cab sorted and am now working on the nose and long hood roof with those difficult contours…..
  
  I’ll get some pix up on NZ120.org soon.
  
  G
  
  Reply
  - Bazza Says:
    May 14, 2011 at 6:12 am
    
    Any more progress ? Some pics on the forum would be good.
    
    cheers
    baz

Little Trains of Thought