CR B36-7's

[ljudice]

Why is it that Atlas has not done a CR B36-7?  Do I recall something about Conrail's being slightly different from others?  Is it enough of a difference to matter?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Atlas claimed that the CR B36-7 is about a foor longer than the version they produce. I'm not sure where the extra lenth comes from. Maybe the pilots? I'm sure Robb could point out the details.

I grew up with Dash 7 series engines. They were the backbone for Conrail in New England. B23s and B36s ALWAYS worked Framingham yard and I probably have spent several hundered hours watching them. I could never tell the difference in lenth between the two engines. In fact, aside from the door and radiator count, they were pretty much clones.

BTW, I did end up painting an extra B36 into CR years ago. I went with the standard canopener with white frame stripe; a paint scheme produced only between 1989 and 1990. I always thought it looked quite sharp, and it is often ignored by model companies.

[ljudice]

Dan, 

Back in 1989-1992 or so, the B36-7's along with the B40-8 and GP40-2 were the backbone of the intermodal trains on the NJ/PA side of the railroad.  Every train had a combination of these units up front.

I am thinking that the two loco projects I need to visit are the B36-7 and the C30-7/C30-7A, since neither
is likely to come from the manufacturers. If there was one other for the list it would be the B39-8's...

- Lou

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh yeah, they were common down here too.

They were actually involved in a rather infamous incident on the NEC too.



I'd love to have a trio of em, but I've heard the same story from Atlas, about them being wrong for the CR units. There was only something like one other road with the same style, so the odds of seeing them are pretty damned slim.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Well at least ONE prototype wasn't too long 

Oh yeah, they were common down here too.

They were actually involved in a rather infamous incident on the NEC too.



I'd love to have a trio of em, but I've heard the same story from Atlas, about them being wrong for the CR units. There was only something like one other road with the same style, so the odds of seeing them are pretty damned slim.

[ai5629]

Looks like Chase, Maryland in 1987.  If memory serves me correct, engineer (name withheld) was piloting a three unit light engine move and ran a stop signal at 60 mph right in front of an Amtrak train going about 120 mph.  This accident started the push for random drug testing on railroads from coast to coast.  I was told he eventually got his job back after being fired for failing a drug test right after the accident.  Pretty amazing if it's true.  I guess you all who pine for some 5000's will have to decide if what Atlas offers is close enough.  I have never compared the Atlas model to the prototype, but I have heard the same thing about the CR units being longer.  I have good memories of these units piloting the intermodal trains into the early 90's on the Pittsburgh Line.  The last time I saw any was in the early 2000's.  Two units were being used by NS for the WILA (Pittsburgh Line local).  They were setting off and picking up cars on the Turtle Creek Industrial track in Trafford, PA.  I was able to get a few shots.  My how the mighty had fallen.  Thanks.

Jeff

[NscaleMatt]

I never heard of Ricky Gates ever getting his job back because he resigned rather than facing certain termination.  On top of that, I think he served 4 years in prison for manslaughter by locomotive or for lying to the NTSB.  It was a truly tragic day day in the industry, but on a good note it brought the end to wide spread drug use in the industry. 

[ljudice]

ATSF (Atlas did this):

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2011191

CR:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=337304

[ai5629]

I was told by a CR engineer that he was back on the job.  Again, I have no definative proof, just hearsay from 20 years ago.  It would have been a PR nightmare if word got out.  As far as drug use, it's still there, it's just no longer marijuana since it can be picked up in a urine tox screen for up to 30 days (again from the same engineer).  As far as that engine photos Lou posted, I am reminded why I model Conrail and not Santa Fe.  At quick glance, the ATSF units do look shorter.  I am going to have to compare a photo of an actual Atlas model to a prototype CR unit.  Thanks.

Jeff

[inkaneer]

I heard Ricky Gates became a "born again" christian in prison and upon his release counselled substance abuse users.   His interview with 60 minutes Ed Bradley in which he alleged wide spread substance abuse among railroad employees did not sit too well with his former fellow railroad workers as one might expect so I doubt if he was welcomed back with open arms.

[NscaleMatt]

Drug use on modern day railroad is nothing like it was up into the 1980's.  Ask any old PC guys still hanging around that I work with.  In addition most people who are users often have 2 options now, get help or get fired!  The RR also is now testing more more types of drugs these days.  The industry doesn't BS around with this, it's to much a liability for them.

[lock4244]

If they re-hired him, wow... that union could get Satan back into Heaven.

[ljudice]

It's all coming back now...

I think the CR and SBD units are the short ones.  The ATSF is closer to the B30-7, which is why it was made...

[sundowner]

Well they have not done any SBD or CSX and that was the biggest fleet. Curious that they have not done a bright futures B30-7 either, 5555 was the first bright future unit that CSX painted.

[lock4244]

Curious that Atlas chose to ignore the home state road and pull at Kato (do the ATSF). ATSF had 16 B36-7's, CR 60, and SBD 120! WTF 

CR had, without a doubt, the coolest fleet of the Burble Boats. Watching they whip TV's through Buffalo at 70mph was, well, memorable.