The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[davefoxx]

There’s all sorts of problems with that last photo.  Most are probably the photographer’s fault.  So, I purchased a Helicon license and am trying again.

Here, in the Spring of 1985, we see brand-new Seaboard System SD50 No. 8621, which was just delivered from EMD in January, contrasted with the dirty, ten-year-old former L&N SD40-2 No. 3579.



Not perfect, but better.

DFF

[davefoxx]

As you may recall, I severely damaged my Durham & Southern GP38-2 No. 2002 when I tried to remove lettering and patch it as Seaboard Coast Line No. 558, as the prototype became when the D&S was merged into the SCL.  The loss of this engine has haunted me for months, so I went looking for a replacement shell or, if I had to, a whole locomotive.  I struck out, because these Geeps were released by Athearn years ago. 

However, I kept coming across an occasional D&S bicentennial locomotive.  So, being a sucker for a good bicentennial unit, I pulled the trigger.  This D&S Geep was only DCC Ready, so at least I didn’t have to pay for the decoder that I would trash.  I was able to swap the fuel tanks and then use No. 2002’s mechanism, with my custom Decoder Buddy, ESU LokSound decoder, and LED lights installed.  I pulled the incandescent bulbs out of the new shell and installed four headlight lenses.

I present Durham & Southern GP38-2 No. 2000 MUed to SCL U36B No. 1776.  I have already speed-matched the locomotives, and it’s JFRTM time.



I’m eyeing the Conrail bicentennial engine next. 

DFF

[davefoxx]

[davefoxx]

So, I found that Walthers built a model of Santa Fe Car No. 133, which was part of a bicentennial train that crossed the U.S. in the early 1970s.  I didn’t even know that this model was a thing until I came across it by accident:



Atlas also offered the Frisco caboose in the bicentennial scheme.  I haven’t found that yet.  The heavyweight car will likely have to be kitbashed.  The prototype train:



DFF

[davefoxx]

So, I found the Frisco caboose model . . . in Australia.  Left with no other obvious option, it's been ordered.  This caboose is rare, and shipping was expensive, as you would expect, but I've paid more for a piece of rolling stock.  Now, I'm wondering how many times this caboose has crossed the Pacific Ocean: perhaps (1) China to Atlas in the U.S., (2) Atlas to vendor in Australia, and (3) back to the U.S. to its forever home.  Let's hope it makes it here in one piece after all of that traveling!

DFF

[davefoxx]

The Frisco caboose arrived from Australia, and so my Bicentennial Train has grown.  . Just need the display car, but no one produces it in HO scale and there’s no way I could pull off that custom paint scheme.



DFF

[u36b]

Nooooooooo!!!!
Dave!!!
Don´t enter the blue side!!!!!!

I’m eyeing the Conrail bicentennial engine next. 

You need another Durham & Southern GP38-2 No. 2000:
It became SCL 556

Simple patch job.....
And you need another U36B 1776 - there were TWO SCL bicentennial U36Bs numbered 1776 (first one, renumbered 1813) and 1776

You know you do - don`t resist (and beware of the can opener)

cheers 
Stephan

P.S. Wished there were N scale SCL bicentennial U36B Decals.... and of course a U36B   

[LIRR]

Great work, nice photos……

You really need to start experimenting with weathering…that’ll bring your scenes to the next level…..

[davefoxx]

Great work, nice photos……

You really need to start experimenting with weathering…that’ll bring your scenes to the next level…..

I have started.  Go back one page for a weathered former L&N SD40-2 (also seen at the top of this page).  Go back two pages for a weathered and abandoned punchbuggy.  Within these pages are also a weathered former Georgia RR GP40 and a former Seaboard Central (née BN) GP9.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Nooooooooo!!!!
Dave!!!
Don´t enter the blue side!!!!!!You need another Durham & Southern GP38-2 No. 2000:
It became SCL 556

Simple patch job.....
And you need another U36B 1776 - there were TWO SCL bicentennial U36Bs numbered 1776 (first one, renumbered 1813) and 1776

You know you do - don`t resist (and beware of the can opener)

cheers 
Stephan

P.S. Wished there were N scale SCL bicentennial U36B Decals.... and of course a U36B   

I already destroyed my first D&S locomotive when I tried to patch it as SCL No. 558.  It was a horrible disaster, and I decommissioned the shell, replacing it with the bicentennial shell.  While that shell patched as SCL No. 556 would be perfect for the layout, I’m a little gun shy to wreck another expensive locomotive.

DFF

[davefoxx]

I anticipate moving out of the 1972 era on the layout soon, because word has it that my Athearn 57ft IMPACK Spine Cars (5-Car Set each) has shipped from my pusher.  I preordered these cars after their announcement that came probably a year-and-a-half ago.  I love spine cars, so I have been long awaiting this release.  These fit my mid-1980s era perfectly.  🙂

DFF

[davefoxx]

Nooooooooo!!!!
Dave!!!
Don´t enter the blue side!!!!!!

[. . .]

(and beware of the can opener)

cheers 
Stephan

Too late.





DFF

[davefoxx]

Just a quick grab of these two bicentennial locomotives.  Considering that they are not the same railroads, I think these D&S and Conrail units match well:



DFF

[davefoxx]

DFF

[Pomperaugrr]

That is such a great layout!