Help - Conrail B23-7

[flight2000]

I'm going to have to show my complete lack of knowledge on particular engine details and ask the experts which B23-7 model is correct from Atlas (or at least close enough).   

I'm going to pick up a few to paint into Conrail and Conrail Quality and don't know which one to get out of the 5 that were/are available.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Undec B23-7
ITEM # AT-49700 Fat anticlimber, knuckle battery box, FB-2 trucks, LN, Flat rear headlight version.    
ITEM # AT-49701 Fat anticlimber, buttons battery box, AA-R trucks, LN, Flat rear headlight version.    
ITEM # AT-49702 Fat anticlimber, buttons battery box, FB-2 trucks, LN, Protruding rear headlight version.    
ITEM # AT-49703 Thin anticlimber, buttons battery box, Blomberg trucks, LN, Flat rear hedlight version.    
ITEM # AT-49705 Thin anticlimber, buttons battery box, FB-2 trucks, LN, Protruding rear hedlight version.    

Thanks,
Brian

[ai5629]

I believe you would want:

ITEM # AT-49701 Fat anticlimber, buttons battery box, AA-R trucks, LN, Flat rear headlight version.

It is the only option with AAR trucks, which was what Conrail specified on all B23-7's.  The "fat anticlimber" was used on 1900-2023 while a thin anticlimber was used on 2800-2816.  The photos I was looking at in Paul Wither's "Conrail Motive Power Review 1986-1991" show what appear to be "buttons battery box" on the battery doors below the window on the fireman's / conductor's side of the cab.  I am about 95% certain this is the one you want.  Can someone confirm or deny my thoughts?  Thanks.

Jeff

[ai5629]

Have you considered stripping one of the Conrail units that Atlas has offered?  That way you should get the correct unit configuration and the handrails would be Conrail blue and not need painted.  Thanks.

Jeff

[flight2000]

I have, but I'd just strip the road numbers and put new ones on if I found a cheap CR version. I haven't seen many B23-7's being offered lately and even the 'bay is only full of near MSRP models. 

The undecs were the cheapest route I found for getting 5-6 of them quickly.  Might just have to wait and see. 

Thanks for the info.

Brian

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I bought over a dozen of these when they were being flushed on eBay for $38. Changing the numbers was easy using Micro-Sol and a standard easer. The best part was, it didn't matter how bad your weathering was because these were always worse. I miss those GE units.

[ai5629]

The first Conrail release included an unnumbered unit.  I have it and both numbered units.  I like that Atlas offers three road numbers on most units now, but I miss the unnumbered units.  My guess is they did not sell well, so they have gone the way of the dinosaur.  All you needed was 60-614 (Conrail GE set) or 60-627 (Conrail EMD and Juniata repaints) and you were good to go.  60-614 is still available, but 60-627 is out of stock.  Thanks.

Jeff

[Ian MacMillan]

I bought over a dozen of these when they were being flushed on eBay for $38. Changing the numbers was easy using Micro-Sol and a standard easer. The best part was, it didn't matter how bad your weathering was because these were always worse. I miss those GE units.

I wish they were still going for that $. I picked up 2 at that price when I first got into N scale 'round 2003. Now I have some more (5) but they are around $70 now.  Right now its been SD80MAC's that I have been scooping up cheap at around $60-$70 including shipping.

[flight2000]

Well, not as cheap as the eBay flush prices, but I managed to find 3 Conrail unnumbered B23-7's at $47 a piece from a shop which is cheaper then the undec's I was looking at buying.  It's amazing what you can find when you really kick some rocks over... 

Brian