I thought I'd share a conversion. I wanted something modern to go with the new CSX units I have. I purchased two CW44AC and one SD70ACe from MTH in scale wheels, and also a MoPac SD70ACe some where about. But lately they've been under utilized for their real purpose as a hauling machine. What better way to use AC traction motors than on a heavy stack train. I've gone around looking and the choices were slim. What I did find was a nice project to tie me over a bit. I got a bit too excited and worked on it for hours on end since this is my first 20th century train. The I did enjoy it and I hope you enjoy the photos.

What will get me in the dog house with my wife is when I figure out how many hours it will take to custom weather each container and well car. I hope you enjoy.

An order of 100 axles with the Lionel spinner for the rotating bearing caps from NWSL 8292-100. They're awesome.


With this project, the railroad acquired 25 of the Lionel branded Husky Stacks. Here the trucks are await their doom.


The well car bodies minus trucks.


Twelve Dremel cutoff wheels later.


Scraps, free if you want them. It would be a shame if these made the landfil, they may yet if no one figures out what to do with them.


to be continued...

I can't use your parts. I just want to say "awesome project, dude". Bruce

One **** of a project Michael. Keep us posted.

Now that's what I call some customization! Looking forward to the finished product-

Wow, impressive project but wth is that N&W steam tender doin in there?...dave

Thats an auxiliary water tender but in the passenger paint scheme. I converted it to the freight paint scheme and weathered it to go with my Class A.

Here is a photo of a water tender painted for freight use.

quote:

Originally posted by daveb:
Wow, impressive project but wth is that N&W steam tender doin in there?...dave

Great project Michael. As to using those frames and couplers, put them in the blender for scrap loads in redundant Coalveyors. That would also distract your wife's attention from the time you'll be taking on weathering! I see no downside....
Jason

quote:

Originally posted by Jason Dickie:
Great project Michael. As to using those frames and couplers, put them in the blender for scrap loads in redundant Coalveyors. That would also distract your wife's attention from the time you'll be taking on weathering! I see no downside....
Jason

Then there is the issue of HER reaction to a trashed blender...

As far as the coupler pieces, I see a GREAT addition to a scrapyard scene. Just set 'em outside from a month or two, they will gather a natural patina of rust and look great!

Pitogo, I am willing to take those couplers. I am in NJ so I can stop by the Club[ NYSME or Ridgefield park if need be. I can't e-mail you since your e-mail is not in your public profile. Please e-mail me at themaz@massafamily.us if you want to get rid of them.

Oh the carnage. Looks like a nice project. I like the organized approach you're taking to it. Keep us posted.

Hello Michael,

I want to congratulate you on a colossal Husky Stack project. The cars look great. If possible, can you please provide instruction and pictures of how you installed the Kadee couplers on the Lionel Husky Stacks?

Regards,
Swafford

quote:

Originally posted by pitogo:
Thats an auxiliary water tender but in the passenger paint scheme. I converted it to the freight paint scheme and weathered it to go with my Class A.

Here is a photo of a water tender painted for freight use.

quote:

Originally posted by daveb:
Wow, impressive project but wth is that N&W steam tender doin in there?...dave

FWIW (probably very little), the N&W did not use auxilary water tanks in passenger service. Norfolk Southern did have an A tank painted like that for its Steam Program excursions.

quote:

Scraps, free if you want them. It would be a shame if these made the landfil, they may yet if no one figures out what to do with them.


to be continued...

Michael Pitogo

NYSME - oldest model railroad club in America
"Do, or do not, there is no try" - Master Yoda

if the parts are avaliabe i'm intrested

Sorry, they're gone.

Michael,
How's the progress going on your Husky Stack conversion project? I have a few questions if you don't mind- did NWSL give you a price break when you ordered a bulk quantity of wheelsets from them? What kind of couplers did you use- Kadee 805's?

Geno

Hi Geno,

I have 4 cars sitting in a box to convert, 21 of them are running. Yes NWSL did give me bulk pricing when I called to order. Minimum quantity was 100 wheelsets, so divided by 4 is 25 cars which gave me the round odd number of cars to convert.
I used both 805 and 805 and styrene drawbars. The metal bodies may transfer current from the trucks so you should watch for insulation all around.

quote:

Originally posted by Geno:
Michael,
How's the progress going on your Husky Stack conversion project? I have a few questions if you don't mind- did NWSL give you a price break when you ordered a bulk quantity of wheelsets from them? What kind of couplers did you use- Kadee 805's?

Geno

Hi Michael, Did the stack car trucks have the little bushing inserts in the side frames? Did the NWSL axles fit in without drilling the bushings? Apparently lionel makes two sizes of axles cause NWSL set me some that wouldn't fit into a PS2 hopper....dave

Dave it was a perfect fit for the 70-ton Lionel roller bearing trucks. I didn't even remove the springs, I just removed the screws holding the truck sides together and unwedged the wheels and placed the NWSL wheels in. The wheels and truck look great while running!

quote:

Originally posted by daveb:
Hi Michael, Did the stack car trucks have the little bushing inserts in the side frames? Did the NWSL axles fit in without drilling the bushings? Apparently lionel makes two sizes of axles cause NWSL set me some that wouldn't fit into a PS2 hopper....dave

Pretty slick, Pitogo, my father and I have been doing some 3-rail to 2-rail conversions on many of our freight cars as well. What a difference, along with good weathering!

BTW, I don't think the CSX versions of both the Lionel and MTH CSX husky stacks are accurate as I believe that the prototype railroad only has 5-car articulated sets, not standalone cars, similar to Southern Pacific's.

Cool thanks for that info. I'm modeling fantasy But they sure do look good.

quote:

Originally posted by John Korling:
Pretty slick, Pitogo, my father and I have been doing some 3-rail to 2-rail conversions on many of our freight cars as well. What a difference, along with good weathering!

BTW, I don't think the CSX versions of both the Lionel and MTH CSX husky stacks are accurate as I believe that the prototype railroad only has 5-car articulated sets, not standalone cars, similar to Southern Pacific's.

quote:

Originally posted by pitogo:
Cool thanks for that info. I'm modeling fantasy But they sure do look good.

Great Pics! At least you can take comfort knowing that the BN Husky Stacks are okay at least!