02-12-2014, 07:32 PM
Its probably a good idea to mention the scale, just so that people know where you're coming from.
Part of the problem is that the Alco C415 was not a very popular locomotive. In fact, Only the Rock Island and Southern Pacific ordered any large number of them (ten each). the rest only ordered 1 or 2 units (26 total built). These engines haven't really gained railfan popularity, and I'm not sure they lasted long in service especially since they were built not long before Alco shut down for good.
With these oddball engines, they really need a "star" factor, or some really popular paint schemes to get produced (the only reason bachmann made the E33 in HO was because they had 5 colorful and popular paint schemes over a 30 year life span, and traveled all over, despite there only ever being 12 units.)
That said, 3D printing technology can better produce N-scale body shells, so you might have luck searching a site like Shapeways. Many of the electric locomotives that are a pain for me to find in HO are easily had on Shapeways in N-scale.
Kitbashing might be another story. I'm not sure there are many parts even in HO scale to kitbash one, you might be able to get the Alco-ends, but after that, how do you plan to make the body?
Here is the Monongahela Connecting Railroad's one and only C415, at the RR Museum of PA.
Part of the problem is that the Alco C415 was not a very popular locomotive. In fact, Only the Rock Island and Southern Pacific ordered any large number of them (ten each). the rest only ordered 1 or 2 units (26 total built). These engines haven't really gained railfan popularity, and I'm not sure they lasted long in service especially since they were built not long before Alco shut down for good.
With these oddball engines, they really need a "star" factor, or some really popular paint schemes to get produced (the only reason bachmann made the E33 in HO was because they had 5 colorful and popular paint schemes over a 30 year life span, and traveled all over, despite there only ever being 12 units.)
That said, 3D printing technology can better produce N-scale body shells, so you might have luck searching a site like Shapeways. Many of the electric locomotives that are a pain for me to find in HO are easily had on Shapeways in N-scale.
Kitbashing might be another story. I'm not sure there are many parts even in HO scale to kitbash one, you might be able to get the Alco-ends, but after that, how do you plan to make the body?
Here is the Monongahela Connecting Railroad's one and only C415, at the RR Museum of PA.
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
