Alco demo C-636P

[mandealco]

Hi Guys
Here's progress on my Alco C-636P project.  After 2 years, we're getting close to completion:  Basic paint and decals, but still have lots of details to add after I seal the paint work so far.  Had a mishap with the fuel tank so had to strip it down.


While doing some last minute research on the paint scheme, I noticed the similarity to the Delaware-Lackawanna scheme.  I guess it's appropriate that an all Alco RR would use an Alco inspired paint scheme.

Speaking of painting.  I painted this with my new airbrush, just arrived a week or so before Christmas.  My oldest son arrived on Christmas Eve with, yes, another airbrush, actually better than the one I bought!  Picture this, left hand, right hand, left hand, right hand!  LOL.

Cheers and have a safe and prosperous New Year.
Steve

[central.vermont]

Well now you should be able to paint twice as fast!! 
That looks sweet Steve, can't wait to see it done.

Jon

[FrankCampagna]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing that.

[Burlington Bob]

Excellent craftsmanship!  Please post pictures of this when it is completed. Makes you wonder what their "modern" units would look like had they been able to survive.  Would they have been able to edge GE out?  What about their position against EMD? We can only wonder.

[jmlaboda]

Wow!!!  Now that's some beautiful work!!!

[Philip H]

You didn't happen to make a mold of that she'll before paint, did you? Alcoa fans everywhere would be pleased if you did.

[bc6]

Thats a good looking locomotive, I'm jealous.

[mandealco]

Philip, sorry, I didn't make a mold.  I tried mold making a few years ago and wasn't happy with my results.  If I make another one, or the C-636F, then I can ask for someone else to make a mold for me.  I do have a plan that shows all the parts I used.  I do this for most of my kitbashes, it helps me choose the right parts to get the best results.  Happy to send this to anyone who wants it.  I also have a 'to do' list for each model I make.  It lists the detail parts and shell components I use.

Bob, Alco's demise was as much their own doing as anything the competitors did.  The Alco product in the 1960's was generally very good.  Just look at how many Centuries are still out there earning revenue.  It's claimed they are still the most fuel efficient locomotives out there, and when maintained properly will out perform and out last anything else.  Compare the numbers of Centuries still in use to the number of early U-boats and even GP-30/35 (unrebuilt ones), percentage wise Alco won that battle!  Part of their problem was bad choices.  In an effort to reduce costs to keep their products competitive to GE's (remember that Alco relied on GE made electrical systems) they tried several dumb things, such as aluminium cabling, which in theory was great, but oxidised easily and proved unreliable.  I doubt it there's a Century out there that hasn't been rewired with copper.  Alco's in general loaded faster, pulled harder and used less fuel, though this was offset a little by more lub oil consumption.  Best pulling, best looking and best sounding, didn't stack up against the better marketing and field support of the 2 Generals. 

Cheers
Steve

[alcors110]

long live alcos. still my favorite locos, and yours is a beaut

[Hornwrecker]

Gorgeous!   Like an FA on steroids.

I want one. 

[Puddington]

A huge tip of the enginers cap for that C636P... just outstanding work.

A fellow has posted a site where he shows how he creates railway artwork and, wouldn't you know it, he's done a C636P.. in ESPEE !... Thought you'd like to have a boo...

http://gilbennett.com/Anatomy_of_a_Painting.php

I always thought the C636P's were at the bequest of the ATSF but I guess ESPEE would have had similar interest if they'd been built.

[mandealco]

Thanks for the kind words. 

As for who would have bought the C-636P, it's conceivable that Amtrak could have purchased a group of them if Alco had lasted into the '70's.  SP had gone cold on Alcos by this time, though Santa Fe was getting good mileage from their RSD-15s, s may have bought some. 

The gentleman who painted the C-636P in ESPEE colours, didn't follow the Alco plans fully.  His rendition looks awesome, but clearance wise his version wouldn't make it through many tunnels.  He's squared up the top edges, whereas the Alco plans were angled back from the edges.  I followed the Alco plans as best I could, but did make some changes for practical purposes, plus a couple of changes that Alco would likely have made to a production model.
Cheers
Steve