Icken modified US Hobbies Locomotive

[Retroniac1]

In the last year I have come into possession of two of these Icken modified locomotives. I have heard of Jerry White, Sofue, and Stu Kleinschmidt modified locomotives but not Icken. I have known about Fred Icken as a scratch builder of very robust models. Anyone out know more about Icken modified locomotives?

[sarge]

Actually, yes I know these engines well. They are indeed repowered by the same Fred Icken, the majority for the late Tony Ambrose, though I suspect a few went out to members of the NYSME. Tony and Fred were friends, and the locos converted usually were Max Gray as Tony didn't like the MG fold-up gearbox (many of which were quite noisy). Many of them have been across my workbench to be tuned before paint in Florida or were painted here.

Tony was a good friend of mine, not only an O Scaler but a trombonist who played for Tex Beneke and an ace arranger of big-band music.

[Retroniac1]

Sarge,
Thank you for the information both about Fred Icken and Tony Ambrose and the trombonist angle. Reminds me of Gil Melle who was one of the first musicians recorded on the Blue Note label and later became movie music composer. Meanwhile he authored several articles in Model Railroad Craftsman about kit bashing.