One step beyond...

[cabbage]

As people who know me will attest I am not afraid of challenges... However I think I need some feed back before I finally decide to order the steel. I have a book called "Locomotives that never were". In it is a LMS electric loco based on the SBB Ae 4/7 (which is either 1-D0-2 or 1-C0-A-1 depending on who built it). This is a 2-D0-2 design and it is just drop dead gorgeous in its crimson lake and straw livery. I had decided to build a genuine SBB Ae4/7 in its slime green livery . I have done all the calculations for a 1-D0-2 design (SLM) and a 1-C0-A-1 (Oerliken). The 1-D0-2 is better on the straight whilst the 2-C0-A-1 corners like a dream...

I have always said in the defence of any of my locos that they were all real (unfortunately).

The question I have to ask is do I build an SBB Ae4/7  in 1-Co-A-1 or an LMS 7000 in 2-D0-2 ?

regards

ralph

Post Scriptumn:  It will have working Buchelli drives on all the powered axles. (The only difference between a madman and me is the fact that I am not mad...)

[cabbage]

Slight goof with the Blackberry!

Should read 2-C0-A-1

ralph

[John Candy]

Well Ralph,

I had never heard of this LMS proposal before.
Assuming SBB to be Schweizer Bundes Bahn (Swiss State Railway), I assume the loco would have been OHL powered, possibly at 1500V DC?
Where was it to have been employed?

Only LMS period OHL electrification scheme I am aware of was the joint LMS/LNER Manchester, South Junction & Altrincham at 1500V DC serviced by EMUs. Since this was a commuter line, I cannot see a requirement for a large locomotive.
Other LMS schemes (inherited from LNWR/L&YR/Mersey, etc.) were at 650V dc (London and Merseyside/Wirral) and 1200V dc (Manchester/Bury) all supplied by conductor rail.

Since the LMS loco was never built, would it (in the interests of authenticity) not be better to build the SBB loco?

That's my tuppence worth!

Regards,
John.

P.S. Forgot to include the MR Lancaster/Morecambe/Heysham OHL which was originally DC before conversion to AC in 1950s but would that have required a large loco on such a short route?

[cabbage]

It is from 1923. There was a proposal to electrify the line from Crewe to Carlisle by Hughes the CME  and O'Brian the CEE. The drawing shows LMS 7000 pulling the LNWR Royal coaches. It has the typical "Pierson" diamond pantograph and thus 1,500V DC would have been a Dead Cert(!)

If it was a "Flat Iron" then it would have to be SBB slime green or BLS mud brown. But a "Mouse" in crimson lake and straw just looks SO right!!! (Plus the fact that I have two LMS coaches?)

Yes I know that it is wrong and it never existed -but like so many of the designs in the book -I wish that they had!!!! Matthew has pointed out that I already have two 2-D0-2 locos and do I really need another one? Yes on this he is correct. On reflection what I am going to do is produce a 2-C0-A-1 loco in LMS crimson lake and straw...

Somebody talk me out of it...

regards

ralph

[midnight miller]

Hello Ralph

Would not dream of talking you out of it , They would have me and my industrials in line next !


                                                                 John

[blagdon]

Raph, go for the Ae 4/7! As I own a HO model of one, they look 'right'. Also, there is at least one that still does heritage trips in Switzerland.

Ian the Gauge '3' Pirate

[454]

Nor would i talk you out of it Ralph.
Having a Fowler railbus in Spurn Railway livery (SR) serving as booze cruiser on Blackgang to Burt's brewery who am I to object to your and the LMS's fine proposal at last seeing the light of day in the not too distant future.

LMS version Ralph. Go for it!

Just think of the benefit to the inspectors meticulii.
They can count the rivits and you cannot proved wrong.

Dave

[John Candy]

I have to say that your approach to modelling makes mine seem very "mundane".

Here I sit, churning out patterns for "Flexikit" wagons, while you indulge in a fantasy of "might have beens"!

If there had not been the "Wall Street Crash" and Great Depression and WW2 had not occurred, it is very probable that the LMS would have had the money to electrify and build your exotic loco.

In a parallel universe, your loco might well have been built, so I shall not deter you ... only a pity you are not a G3S member and we will all have the pleasure of seeing the outcome.

Regards,
John.