As related in part I, I’ve wanted to build a 44-ton Diesel in OO for a long time. Now the build is to the point that the body is together and we can move cars.

There were four main parts to unite, the two hoods, the cab, and the frame. The steps to the cab were attached to the hoods, and were made from the steps from an AHM S-2.

The cab contains parts of 6 HO cabs (!) spliced together creatively. The most visible are the modified AHM S-2 cab sides. The visible roof I however decided was best managed in brass. It ties the whole thing together.

Lots of adjustments were required to get it all to fit square. Eventually I keyed it so that things were adjusted to fit together just one way, as seen below. Then I glued it together, centering the cab on the frame first.

From the bottom it looks like this, all solidly attached.

As previously noted, the frame is built on the sides of the original Athearn Baldwin S-12 frame, but widened out to OO.

And finally, here it is on the layout. The underset shank Kadee couplers work out at just the right height.

Matching the general proportions of a GE 44-tonner really has paid off, and following as much as I could the “look” of the Rock Island Davenport switchers, this is a nice approximation of a 44-tonner by a different, minority maker.

Before painting, the big, final detail remaining to fabricate are the handrails. Those will be the topic when this series continues.

Continue in 44/50-ton series