Erie-built Fairbanks-Morse pre-1947?

Both Atlas and MTH badly missed the mark on the correct later-version Erie-Built windshield shape.  However, you take what's available, and I am otherwise quite pleased with my Atlas units.

I presume that you do realize that UP and KCS were the only buyers of rectangular-windshield Erie-Builts, severely limiting the market for models other than brass.  And both UP and KCS also had Erie-Builts with the later style windshield.

In the dim recesses of O Scale history, somebody made a sand-cast Erie-Built.  I have a roof and a set of the fabricated trucks, and am hoping to someday find the side and nose castings.

I may just make my own, although the air vents and grillwork are kind of scaring me - might have to get them cast.  I will use the B-17 windshield, although very few of the real ones were produced with both fabricated trucks and B-17 windshields.

The market was too limited for a Mfg to use Thousands of $$ for a mold that only two RR used. HOwever MTH did model the original FM 3 axle fab  trucks while Atlas O modeled the more common PA looking type trucks for their models. Nothings to say you can't get the correct body version and make those windows yourself.

I haven't done a "possible project inquiry", but it seems to me that filling and shaping the

windshield opening to show the early, more squared-off windshield would not be particularly difficult. I, too, prefer the early windshield shape - it's very odd, compared to most other

similar locos. I have a single A-unit Atlas NYC version of the Erie-builts; the change looks pretty easy. I'm not going to do it as it would be inappropriate.

We don't always have to just wait and hope that someone will do it for us. Take that F-M

by the horns! 

The B-17 windows went also to KCS and UP.  There does not seem to be a correlation between windshields and trucks.

In plastic, I would guess a windshield change would be trivial.  It is fairly easy in brass, even without the use of Bondo.

Thanks for all this info & history everybody; much appreciated. While googling I noticed some Milwaukee units showed the B-17 windshield also.   http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr1200/mil10a.jpg

Yup, 'tis true: manufacturers must go with the viable options and leave the quirks to the whims of we hobby types. No major investment in tooling for us; now where's my Bondo? 

Here's a modern-day source where you can still hear multiple FM opposed-piston engines running for a few more years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh5H1mbi1Wo

Both Atlas and MTH badly missed the mark on the correct later-version Erie-Built windshield shape.

Would appreciate a photographic comparison

https://upload.wikimedia.org/w...lympian_Hiawatha.JPG

http://mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/259.jpg

http://www.atlaso.com/images/ofmeriebuilt/1224-1.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/qduuft2

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/...448_2f821bea01_b.jpg

I had no idea MTH did these things.  Maybe I shall find one and convert it to metal.  I too like the B-17 windows and fabricated trucks.

I'm with Tom on this one. Wish they made the B-17 version but very glad I bought the Atlas FM. They are hard to find on the secondary market. Atlas offered the painted shells for some time as a part. One could modify the shell and keep the original. Don

As of now Atlas has blank Eire Built FM bodies for about $29. http://shop.atlasrr.com/c-24-0105.aspx

This could be a start on the B-17 version. Don

Good looking locomotives! Regardless the windshield configuration.

I'll say they did. Guess I can save some money..

I've seen one done somewhere in another scale. The windshield opening was filled in along the top center, and again in the bottom corners. Filed to shape.

Pretty straight forward.

It reminds me of a split-screen hot rod with a chop.

Thank you thank you etc.  ordered one the minute I saw your post.  Atlas has some bargains now and then.

now to locate a foundry . . .

It's interesting how a design feature will catch on. The iconic B-17 windshield would have been imprinted on a lot of memories in the immediate WW2 period. I've seen a few classic wooden cabin cruisers from the same time-frame as the Erie-builts with the same squared and angled windshield. Maybe Owens or similar.

Carver had similar too, but Owens really nails it.

I just received an email that someone had recently read my earlier post, and, although it was long ago pointed out and corrected by Southwest Hiawatha, in this thread, I would like to post this mea culpa, as I was aware of the Milwaukee Road Erie-Builts with "B-17" style windshields, but had a senior moment (another one!) when I wrote that post.  I try to be thorough and accurate, but, well, I just had one of those moments, and apologize for my oversight.

As a point of interest, although the Erie-Builts suffered from Fairbanks-Morse's early railroad engine problems, they did serve well after the engines were modified.  My uncle was a Union Pacific (LA&SL) Engineer with seniority dating back to 1922.  He was cut back to firing after World War II and fired passenger during the transition from steam to diesel on the LA&SL.  He told me that the Erie-Builts were the fastest accelerating diesels in UP passenger service.  After I hired out in engine service on the AT&SF Los Angeles Division, I had a lot of conversations with older Engineers about steam and early diesel locomotives.  All of them liked the way Number 90 performed, but not all Engineers and Firemen were familiar with the diesel engine and how to reset the overspeed and other protective devices.  It always got done, but sometimes took a while.  One of my friends recalls hostling it between the roundhouse at Redondo Jct. and the depot downtown, which involved a couple of miles of running on the main line.  He said it was the only diesel that could load up fast enough to get wheel slip when running light and accelerating at full throttle (to clear the stack, of course, or at least that was his alibi ).  Chuck Beeler made a round trip aboard the 90, on a San Diegan in the mid-1950's.  The dynamic brake grids on the booster caught fire between Santa Ana and San Juan Capistrano, and smoldered all the way to San Diego, where the fire department finally put it out.

I have the Atlas body on the way, thanks to the poster last page.

Of course after ten years of casually looking for the sides and nose for my Erie-Built project, and two days afer giving up and deciding to have those parts cast from the plastic, my old friend Roy Lee called this AM, and is sending a complete cast brass Erie-Built body.

I can reciprocate, but need to locate an Adams E-6 body in any condition.  I have passed many up, since I have no interest in the old shovel-noses.  Keep me in mind if you see a beat- up Adams.  Roy is younger than me, so I have lots of time to reciprocate.

KCS Erie-Builts by MTH