Already on that. The rear Grill is Louvered. It's getting a Merc Star, and since I'll be a primary operator I'll throw more Benz-ish things in there. for wits and giggles maybe a 240D badge somewhere.

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

By the way there is nothing wrong with ALCO chugging sounds. Heck even Baldwins made great and interesting sounds. Unfortunately the smallest of those makes would squash the loco chassis that you are using. So a 617 would make a great replacement for what ever was in there from the factory!!

Sure sounds like a cool project. The local Kiddie Park has a gasoline powered engine in their "steam" engine. Sounds a bit weird, but runs very well. Believe the loco and cars were built in Wichita, KS. The whistle is air operated, likely from a small onboard air compressor.

__________________
1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

I dont mind the ALCO chugging. it's an endearing quality. just like the fluids seeping out everywhere, I personally like it, and yes, this does have an air tank on board, I can prolly turn a AC compressor into a air compressor or bolt a small compressor onboard. Time will tell. first things first. I need an engine and trans.

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Thanks! Subscribed and bookmarked the website. Hope to see some pics and vids of the re-power posted.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Awesome!

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I Will do that, S'matter of finding an engine or someone donating the funds for the engine to I can buy one, but I'd like to find a pair thats cheap enough or a Crappy enough car that I wont feel bad about taking it's engine... so far nada yet, I know where a factory one is but I dont have the cash to do that

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

got pics and movies, too pooped to post.

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

I have a 603 complete in a 1987 rust bucket I might would sell :-) Actually it is missing the alternator now but that is it. 225k and it runs well but need to be cleaned up. I am still up in the air about it.

__________________
1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

Lemme know. right now they are trying the hydraulics again... but i'd like to have my option ready to go and get done. if they actually do get it to work, the engine would be put into a speeder (track inspection and maintenance vehicle

some Video from this weekend-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsjia4bTUdU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njTDUg_eW-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6E85Zlm7A

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Pictures. the R-57 (supposed to be 59) is in there. some of the first, some on towards the end...
https://picasaweb.google.com/AquaticEdge/VMRR?authkey=Gv1sRgCImY1qq3jqmY5QE#

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

You have a huge tool you are overlooking, your 501(C)3. Your non profit in hand why dont you approach MB directly ?

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

MBusa wouldnt touch it. I'll ask but I already know how it'll go.. plus they'd offer a new engine with the computer controls etc. need a nice basic older engine,

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Nice pictures.
Looks like your on the right track. (no pun intended)

I belong to a non profit train museum as well.
We have one full size train line and then the HO, G gauge groups.
we also have the 1' track with a small steam engine.
The steam set hasn't been set up yet .
As your probably well aware the volunteering and funding part is the hardest.

That's why I like your idea the 617/616 is durable and easy to work on.
You can find a decent one for cheap and it will run forever.
Ive thrown around the Idea of building one in my backyard with my 240D.
( I cant even find time to set up a G gauge set)

Keep looking on Craigslist we find a lot of stuff that way.
When you talk to the owners they usually just donate it to the museum
for the tax break.
To bad your not closer I found a 79SD local for $750.00
Car looked like hell he said the power train was good though.

Best of luck with the project !!

__________________


Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

There's one like that here but its too nice to trash

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

I will Revive this thread now. They tried the hydro system. It's not performing (like I said it wouldnt) so. my idea is a go now. will post pictures and movie as I go--

__________________
hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed