The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[davefoxx]

It had a much broader radius to the nose edges and the cab front was rounded.

If it is still there, it was at LTEX in Lordstown OH (their newer yard) about 3 miles from me.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.174185,-80.8680467,998a,35y,39.16t/data=!3m1!1e3

Chris,

You’re correct that the model is wrong, but this is an Athearn “Roundhouse” model.  In other words, it’s Athearn’s economy line, so it definitely has its warts, e.g., under the hood, it’s practically Athearn Blue Box quality.  That said, this GP60 does have a really nice paint job, all of the grab irons are factory installed, and it does run okay.  It lacks lift rings, windshield wipers, and air hoses, but I might have some of that stuff in the parts box.

All I’m looking for is a model of a practically brand new third generation locomotive that passes the 3’ rule.  Ninety-nine percent of people visiting my layout wouldn’t have a clue about a GP60, so I’m happy with this model that cost less than $115.00 new.  I scrounged a LokSound V5 decoder from a locomotive in my fleet that may get scrapped.  I had a speaker with enclosure in the parts box, so this Geep was cheap.

I like it, though.  A lot.  It also adds a teeny bit of variety to my SBD fleet that consists only of second generation locos.

Thanks,
DFF

[davefoxx]

Sorry in advance for the drift…

I marvel how EMD, not long after producing the most successful diesel locomotive lineup up to that time, the SD-40/-2 line and also the mostly concurrent GP-38/40 and-2 lines, could so precipitously fall on their faces…?

Now, it must be admitted that the B36-7 wasn’t all that successful but it was during this time that GE began ascending and ultimately dominating the Domestic Locomotive production orders.

Bryan,

I agree.  The irony, for me, is that one of my favorite locomotives, the SD50, was a colossal disappointment for EMD and was the beginning of its downfall.  How they got the Forty-Series so right and then turned around and blew it on the Fifty-Series is amazing.  They pushed the technology way too far and quality/reliability suffered.  Fortunately, for me, the SD50’s issues were eventually and successfully addressed, but the damage was done to EMD’s reputation.  GE’s Dash 7 and Dash 8 series didn’t help EMD.

DFF

[davefoxx]

 Some air hoses and M.U. cables to add some detail to otherwise blasé pilots on this GP60:



I plan to add some wipers to the cab windows, but they are tiny for these butterfingers.  Maybe I’ll try another night.  I’m also considering either replacing that horn or drilling out the bells, because it’s not great looking as is.

DFF

[Point353]

Some air hoses and M.U. cables to add some detail to otherwise blasé pilots on this GP60:



I plan to add some wipers to the cab windows, but they are tiny for these butterfingers.  Maybe I’ll try another night.  I’m also considering either replacing that horn or drilling out the bells, because it’s not great looking as is.

DFF

Are you up for adding a snowplow to the pilot and/or a strobe light on the cab roof?
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1982472

[davefoxx]

Are you up for adding a snowplow to the pilot and/or a strobe light on the cab roof?
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1982472

Eh, maybe.  But, I see that way down the to-do list, since I don't have any of those parts lying around.  I'm not sure I can match the paint on that plow with a spray bomb.

DFF

[davefoxx]

JFRTM.  A Seaboard System mixed manifest in the hole, waiting on Amtrak’s northbound Silver Star.



I like the juxtaposition of the GP60 in testing with apparently the crappiest locomotive that the SBD could find: a former Georgia RR GP40.  It’s not even a Dash 2.  Haha!

DFF

[Lemosteam]

JFRTM.  A Seaboard System mixed manifest in the hole, waiting on Amtrak’s northbound Silver Star.



I like the juxtaposition of the GP60 in testing with apparently the crappiest locomotive that the SBD could find: a former Georgia RR GP40.  It’s not even a Dash 2.  Haha!

DFF

Thought that was real till I saw the fascia. Seriously.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

EMD's cash grab in the form of refusing to extend the leases of a bunch of units sure didn't help either.

Allegedly it's the reason that Conrail chose the C36-7 (which were probably worse than the SD60) over EMDs.

[davefoxx]

For when I run the Southern Ry. as owner of the former original NS line, I finally located a reasonable facsimile of a Southern Ry. bay window cabooses.  Oh, sure, this is a bit of a foobie, but it's a decent stand-in for now:



So for this line, I have the NS AS-416 with a custom-painted NS caboose that cover the 1960s era, the SOU GP38 and caboose shown above that cover the post-1974 merger of NS into the SOU, and the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western GP40-2LW that covers from 1986 to present (admittedly, it's a slight anachronism for the 1980s, but, whatever).  The AC&W runs cabooseless, which I've already discovered makes switching a crapload easier. 

DFF

[John]

That’d be interesting.  I was on a tear adding/upgrading to LokSound decoders and LED lights for several weeks and did nothing to the layout for months.  Now, I’ve fortunately been motivated to add scenery.  That, of course, is coming to a grinding halt, because I’ve run out of suitable SuperTree armatures, and, yesterday, I used up my supply of the ground foam I use for the base.  But, I’ve got yet another locomotive on order from MBK, so . . . haha!

DFF

Timonium is coming up

[John]

Some air hoses and M.U. cables to add some detail to otherwise blasé pilots on this GP60:



I plan to add some wipers to the cab windows, but they are tiny for these butterfingers.  Maybe I’ll try another night.  I’m also considering either replacing that horn or drilling out the bells, because it’s not great looking as is.

DFF

Is that headlight in upside down?   Great looking engine

Looks like on the real deal they had a 2 for 1 sale on headlamps .. LOL

https://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0404/emd7.jpg

[John]

For when I run the Southern Ry. as owner of the former original NS line, I finally located a reasonable facsimile of a Southern Ry. bay window cabooses.  Oh, sure, this is a bit of a foobie, but it's a decent stand-in for now:



So for this line, I have the NS AS-416 with a custom-painted NS caboose that cover the 1960s era, the SOU GP38 and caboose shown above that cover the post-1974 merger of NS into the SOU, and the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western GP40-2LW that covers from 1986 to present (admittedly, it's a slight anachronism for the 1980s, but, whatever).  The AC&W runs cabooseless, which I've already discovered makes switching a crapload easier. 

DFF

I love this scene -- it reminds me of Fort Bragg

[Point353]

For when I run the Southern Ry. as owner of the former original NS line, I finally located a reasonable facsimile of a Southern Ry. bay window cabooses.  Oh, sure, this is a bit of a foobie, but it's a decent stand-in for now:



So for this line, I have the NS AS-416 with a custom-painted NS caboose that cover the 1960s era, the SOU GP38 and caboose shown above that cover the post-1974 merger of NS into the SOU, and the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western GP40-2LW that covers from 1986 to present (admittedly, it's a slight anachronism for the 1980s, but, whatever).  The AC&W runs cabooseless, which I've already discovered makes switching a crapload easier. 

DFF

Do you have a Southern U23B and/or B23-7?

[davefoxx]

Do you have a Southern U23B and/or B23-7?

No, but, interestingly enough, I did have a B23-7 in N scale.  I really like this GP38, though.  I have gutted it and added a LokSound decoder, speakers, and LED lights.  It's friggin' sweet.

DFF

EDIT: Whoa!  I have been thinking about how this line will be limited to one locomotive, three freight cars, and one caboose as the average train, because that's what fits into staging.  I just had a significant brainstorm on how to operate two MUed engines with five or six freight cars and a caboose on the NS line and work this consist around that short staging yard.  You might talk me into a B23-7 or U23B after all (like I need more motive power ).  News at 11!

[Point353]

No, but, interestingly enough, I did have a B23-7 in N scale.  I really like this GP38, though.  I have gutted it and added a LokSound decoder, speakers, and LED lights.  It's friggin' sweet.

DFF

EDIT: Whoa!  I have been thinking about how this line will be limited to one locomotive, three freight cars, and one caboose as the average train, because that's what fits into staging.  I just had a significant brainstorm on how to operate two MUed engines with five or six freight cars and a caboose on the NS line and work this consist around that short staging yard.  You might talk me into a B23-7 or U23B after all (like I need more motive power ).  News at 11!

As the train approaches the staging yard, uncouple the lead loco and run it into one of the staging tracks.
Then have the trailing unit pull the train into another track in the staging yard.
Or, run the train into one of the staging tracks with the lead loco on the sector plate and switch it to another staging track.
Switch the trailing unit onto the same track as the lead loco using the sector plate.
Either way, split/uncouple the train in the middle, leaving the back half just outside the switch at the entrance to staging.
Have the lead loco couple onto the rear half of the train and pull it into the remaining staging track.
Switch the lead unit with onto the same track as the trailing loco using the sector plate.
(The trailing loco will now be the lead loco for the return trip.)
Run both locos out of staging and couple onto the caboose.
Back the caboose down the third staging track and onto the sector plate.
Align the sector plate with whichever half of the train will be the rear half for the return trip.
Have the two locos reassemble the train for the return trip.