Doug,
I dug up Mr. Eakins article on the U.S. Army RS4TC No. 4700N. The article and drawings appeared in issue no. 33 of "Short and Narrow Rails". There is no date anywhere in that issue, but as near as I can tell from another article about the 13th National Narrow Gauge convention highlights in San Antonio, it must have been 1993 or 4. His article in S&NR mentions that he based his drawings on the previously mentioned folio drawings in the Jan-March issue of Extra 2200 South. There are four photos, two of which are from Maxwell's collection of the 4700 as Helper on an excursion (RMRCC?)in what appears to be Silverton.
The "Model Railroader" article for kitbashing Athearn SW-1500's was the October, 1980 issue. Mr. Eakin also notes that he would like to try using the Kato/Walthers SW-1's to get a chassis that would be the exact length of 4700N, instead of having a model being several feet too long with the Athearn engine.
I had some trouble locating those Athearn engines with the older die-cast sideframes to convert the trucks as Jim described in the MR article. Athearn has redesigned the power trucks and today's models are not as easy to convert. I finally found some after going to a number of swap meets. I have also had some trouble finding the old Hustler bodies which Jim used for the cab roof. Even junkers are hard to find or expensive. I have those now, also, so I am about ready to try my hand at building one. I have 3 Athearn engines that I can convert. So I could have a three unit lashup.
I would like to find a suitable model to kitbash into the six-axle 3000. Maybe WP&Y 3-axle trucks could be a starting point? Diesels will never take over my railroad, however. I just like variety and what if's. AND I like anything narrow gauge.
Mark V.
