Pictures, as promised!
The first three show show the track plan changes
This is the first of three Smokey Valley Conrail GP15-1s i plan to build. The first two will be the original paint, while the third i think i will paint and detail with the Conrail Quality paint scheme that appeared in the 1990s. Hopefully, My Walthers GP15 and additional Smokey Valley frame i obtained get here sooner. I have Cannon & Co parts on the way to replace the ends, since they are too "pointy".
My C32-8 Project is rolling along, but its stuck right now. The last od the detail parts i need are from atlas, and they aren't here yet. I still have a little bit of shell modification to go (i need to make a hole for the rachet-brake housing in the right side of the nose). After that, I can start painting. Its unusuall for atlas to not ship for a whole week though. I wonder why its taking them so long?
I found Dash-8 sideframes by Smokey Valley that fit the C32-8's athearn trucks. originally, i thought i was stuck with the u-boat side frames. The front trucks dont' have sideframes because i need to add speed recoders on one side, and a brake chain on the other.
The radiators and see through steps leading to the cab were annoying but i pulled them off.
ANd now for some pictures!
SD45-2 #6660 idles on the new passing siding
U23B #2735 runs around to the front of the train.
B40-8 #5078 and SD45-2 #6660 Pull a unit train of tank cars from the interchange.
No matter how finnicky this locomotive is, i still love it. In fact, its the perfect test for track problems. The locomotive is so demanding of perfect track that any flaw will cause it to shut down. it and my AEM7s are extremely valuable for track testing.
Not to mention, its gorgeous.
Its super long to... Its not the longest i own, but it definitely has the illusion of being really long. In reality, SD40-2s are the same size, and subsquent SDs and GEs are probably bigger. the B40-8 above is nearly as long. then again, its big to.
GP40-2 #3401 and GP38 #7868 roll back to the yard.
The U-boat and the "B-boat". an aging U34CH catches its breath as a newere shinier GE dash-8 roars past.
Amtrak E60MA #610 basks in the morning sun.