Anyone model Norfolk Southern????

[Nick8564]

I'm using Norfolk Southern locomotives in my layout. I have had little success find a large selection of different models, and especially DCC ready. Can anyone help me?? Thanks.

 

[elwood]

I know bachmann offers two diffrent GP highnose paint schemes that are DCC ready.

 

[KCS]

I believe Kato offer's NS SD-90mac's DCC ready. I think there like $110.00. Something of that nature.

 

[rch]

The first two runs of Atlas B40-8s decorated for Norfolk Southern came factory equipped with dual mode decoders. This was prior to the Silver/Gold Series models, which as I understand it now, feature sound/DCC or no decoder.

 

[green_elite_cab]

are you lookign for a specific Norfolk Southern locomotive? otherwise there are a bunch of them out there. also keep in mind that many NS engines are still in Conrail paint, so you could pick up some Conrail as well. if you are good at decals you can put the appropriate patches on them.

here is a list of all NS locos i can dig up, by manufacturer

Bachmann:

GP-50 Hi nose. dcc or analog
Spectrum C40-8

Athearn:

SW1500
SW7
GP38-2
GP50 ( low nose)
GP-60
SD40-2
C44-9W
SD-60
SD-70
SD70M

Atlas:

B40-8
C40-8
GP-38 (high hood/low hood available)
GP-40 (high and low Hood available)

Broadway Limited Imports (if you got deep pockets and like sound)

SD40-2
C30-7

IHC

SD35

Proto 2000

GP60
GP38-2
SD50

Walthers Trainline

GP9M

Kato

SD80MAC
GP35
SD40-2
C44-9

there are probably more, but thsi lsit is probalby good enough. go tot he manufacturers websites and pick out what you want.

 

[Nick8564]

Thanks, this will be helpful

 

[Thoroughbreed]

Here's a list of the roster power and its origins, with some pics: http://www.thedieselshop.us/NS.HTML
As far as dcc compatable, bachmann has a gp50 w dcc on board on ebay for about $45
and theres some sd60's athearn for about $80. The only macs were exconrail and they were sd80mac's, with 2 repaints so far. Lookin pretty good in the new thoroughbred theme.

 

[green_elite_cab]

I don't know, the MACs still were better looking in the Big Blue....

thanks to CSX for not repainting them all before i got a chance to see them!

 

[joefryfry]

I model NS. I recently bought a GP38-2 Proto 2000 from Walthers on sale for about 60 or 70 bucks. They retail about $130. Might want to check and see if they still have any on sale. It is DCC compatible. Don't forget to check e-bay. There are also 6 axle diesels out there if your layout can handle them, unlike mine.

 

[Triplex]

There's a certain annoyance for NS modellers I should point out. The C40-9W is NS's most common engine, with over 1000 on roster. However, no other railroad owns it. Thus, there is no correct plastic model that I know of in HO (I'm certain there's none in N, which is my focus). Athearn offers (and Kato offered in 1997) a C44-9W in NS colors, which is inaccurate. They can be distinguished by the headlights. A C44-9W has its headlights on the nose, one above the other. A C40-9W has its headlights above the cab, side by side.

 

[green_elite_cab]

Maybe you could could use the wide cab from an atlas locomotive ( just withch it with another locomotive). That seems like a good way to solve the problem. just get the Atlas C40-8W Conrail version undecorated, and an undecorated C44-9W from Athearn.