Crankshafts can be made from billet. Done everyday for race cars. Start with a lathe big enough, they are still around, cut in in close put in a crankshaft grinder and finish. Heat treat as needed. The hardest part is finding the right billet. Costly yes, very. Impossible? nope. Then right after you get done installing it someone will find a new one hidden in a shop somewhere.
Bearings might be harder to come up with but who knows they may have used the same ones in the 6 cylinder. Of course if you find bearings you grind the crank to fit.

While anything is possible with sufficient investment of time, effort, and money, the past experiences of the Flying Yankee Restoration Group in trying to duplicate Winton 201A cylinder liners provide an informative lesson on the risks and costs associated with this kind of an undertaking.

PC

In the last issue of Trains, I recall seeing an ad by a company that sells cranks. It would be worth the time to look into this and other companies that do this kind of work. Like stated above, they make (and repair) cranks from cars all the time so I'd bet that a diesel crank can be made for the right amount. And remember that if they make more than one, the cost comes down.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Folks, folks, folks.............

First off, the allegation that the two Baldwin RF-16's in Michigan's Upper Peninsula aren't running because of crankshaft problems is just that: an allegation. I've heard it from several well-placed sources, but not the proverbial "horse's mouth."

All of this discussion is irrelevant and immaterial. If the current owner wants to repair it/them, it's up to him, and no one else. Until there's a change in ownership by any means, we're wasting our neurons, keystrokes, and breath.

Any subsequent owner--ANY owner--is going to be hard-pressed to economically justify the repair to operation of these "Sharks." Of course, I can say that about a certain Alco PA or two as well, which seems somehow to be happening, although not as an original-by-gawd-and Schenectady loco.......

The most ideal places for preservation of one or more of these Sharks either don't operate stuff or already have their hands full with other projects.

What does this have to do with 261?

dave

I think the discussion went to alternative locomotives perhaps to do fundraising trips to help the 261 in its federal inspection.