For many years I’ve had in mind that a center cab diesel could worked out in American OO, using an Athearn switcher drive. In a series that started here, I finally have the model done!

My first OO Diesel locomotives were kitbashed from HO and lettered for the Fall River, and this new one is lettered for the same road, and numbered between those engines (as it would presumably have joined the roster between the original models). As noted in earlier articles in this series, the center cab is freelanced and generally based on Davenport (and similar) prototypes, using various modified HO parts. Seeing it all together and running, I think it is a very plausible model of something by a small builder of locomotives.

The final details added were the bell (which is from an AHM SW-1) and of course the paint and lettering. The paint is actually the second color of Tamiya paint I tried, the first one, used only for a first coat, was too “automotive” looking, metallic. This second attempt looked much more like a railroad would use and better matched the original engines. I still may add a few more safety stripes, but I don’t have any right now that match the Microscale lettering (from an alphabet set) and I may just leave it be.

(Not seen in this article, I also painted an lettered another engine for the Fall River, a AHM Plymouth MDT, matching one of the original engines to have a pair of the critters).

As to operation, the center cab runs quite well and is a great choice for my shortline road the Fall River Ry. This model has me inspired to expand this roster in other ways, looking forward to see where it leads me.

Return to beginning of Center Cab series