This gallery contains a photo record of construction of my DFT locomotive. This is an New Zealand prototype - build in London, Canada by EMD as non-turbocharged GL-22M. A refurbishment some years back saw the fitting of a modern turbo charger and these units have a wonderful SD45 - SD 60 kind of sound.  In New Zealand the ride-on hobby is focussed on steam locomotives faithful to the prototype. I am determined to go to the same lengths to obtain an authentic diesel. No parts being available everything is built from scratch. My locomotive is being built in 2.1" to the foot scale - correct for 7.25" guage as New Zealand runs narrow guage (3 foot 6inch guage). This makes for a large locomotive!

(click on any picture to get a larger view complete with caption.)

The DFT is an interesting New Zealand Locomotive seldom modeled. I plan on changing that.

Stock channel section works out to perfect scale for the main locomotive frame members. Here is the first cut being made on this project. It feels great to get started after years of dreaming.

Steve gives tips while I machine the end plates. I have no experience in machine tools so this project is a learning one and I am grateful for the patient coaching my friends give me.

Coupler pocket and structural webbing being welded behind the end plates. Need strength - and weight here!

Completing all the hard to reach welds on the end plate - chasis rail junctions. I borrowed Steve's locomotive stand to use as a rotary cradle.

Fabricating the running boards. Ive made these out of 6mm plate to ensure they do not bend if used as a hand-hold, and the additional thickness can be hidden easily.

Fuel tank is small, but ny combining with the battery compartment on each side I get enough length to hold large batteries at a low centre of gravity. The floor of the module is 10mm steel plate both to resist battery corrosion and give addition low down weight.

Shunters platform added at each end. Actual step is 10mm plate welded to frame struts behind the seems. Prototype used 3mm sheetmetal bent in same shape. Mine looks identical, but more likely to survive the enevitable derailments.

Truck frames on the prototype are a casting. I decided to fabricate mine. I did the design in Autocad, then drilled all the small radius curves and holes. Steve 'joined the dots' and cut them out on his bandsaw for me.

Initial machining of key registration surfaces for each truck. Two outside faces and two inside faces shown clamped together - both are different

Truck side frames halfway through the welding process. The sides are 6mm plate and the top and bottom are 3 and 6mm. Axle boxes were fabricated out of 10x25mm bar stock U shaped frames for strength. Brake rigging brackets and stretchers at the back ready to fit.

Completed frames after undercoat have that casting look I wanted. I rounded every 'un-machined' angle and only machined critical surfaces consistent with the machining of a real casting.

One of the completed 'castings' with an interim matt-black coat. The slots are for the brake rigging. small holes above the outer axle horns are for air cylinders.

Tags: DFT