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Non-Powered Deisel Locomotive for Display
Gary asks:
“How interchangeable are locomotive shells? I would like to set up a small O gauge train for display only and I really hate to use and pay for, a working locomotive. I would prefer using a nonpowered locomotive. If I get a nonpowered locomotive, can I use a shell from a powered locomotive?”
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It depends on the particular loco but most are swap-able between powered and non-powered units. Another option, again depending on the type of loco you want to use, you could get a dummy A (or PA) unit and simply face it forward.
You might also consider picking up a cheap, even non-working, loco at a swap meet. A few years ago, I picked up a “non-functional” GP7 at a club’s swap meet for a whopping $4.00US.
Thank you very much for your reply. I am looking for an o gauge diesel from the 1960’s era. I will keep my eyes open. Thank you again.
The shell would be designed to clip on or screw on to the chassis, so you would probably have to provide some means to support the shell from the powered chassis that you use on the non-powered chassis.
I can totally understand not wanting to pay for a working locomotive just to get the shell, but I’m not sure where you are getting your shell to put onto the non-powered chassis? But as Dale says, there’s a good chance you can get a non-working locomotive cheap at a swap meet, though from what I have heard, nothing is very cheap in O scale!!