GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Here are photos of the 1523 and 1524 for you CNJ people out there!

This is 1523, the actual prototype. I didn't realize I was modeling 1523 until after I had already settled on its long ago Conrail number, #5681. It is fortunate then, that this unit survives in nearly the same configuration as it did on NJ DOT, not more than an hour and a half away.





The blunt end is very visible here. It seems to be flush all the way across, though this might be difficult to achieve on the model.



One challenge will be these details here. Not every CNJ GP7 had this arrangement. Many had the cab signal box below the deck, but the generic square box is a mystery even to my friends who operate this locomotive.

One interesting note, it looks like the handrail stanchion is moved back slightly to make room for the cab signal box. Since I doubt I can "cut and paste" those plastic hand rails, I'll either have to ignore this, or get the Smokey Valley Hand rail kits.



1523 appears to have a speed recorder on the front axle on the left side, a detail I think I have, but I'll have to check my parts drawer.



I was able to climb with a little more freedom on 1524, also owned by the URHS, though this one is based in Boontoon NJ up north, instead of Tuckahoe down south on the old PRSL. It was difficult to get a good picture of it with all the people around!

Also note that NJ DOT 4253, my planned HO scale E8, also survives at boontoon, and in its NJ DOT paint no less! The blue looks a little wrong, but its good enough for me!

1524 was also a NJ DOT veteran, numbered 5902 on Conrail/NJ DOT. It was one of the earlier units painted in to the silver "disco stripe" NJ Transit scheme some time in late 1980/early 1981. 1524 was also the first red CNJ GP7, repainted from the green and gold to the red baron (or coast guard) scheme in 1972.





Because 1524 was open for tours, I got to take some up-close pictures of some of the details.

A view out the cab!







Another NJ DOT Veteran is visible in the background, GG1 #4879. This was one of the very last operational GG1s, along with 4877 (present but not visible in the photo) and I think 4882. These three were officially retired at the end of October, 1983. 4879 is in rough shape, still in its well worn NJ DOT paint, but it will eventually sport the PRR's single stripe paint scheme with the large keystone.



Normally, I wouldn't care so much about the shudder details on a geep, but after having seen these GP7s in person, I can see that it might be a worthwhile detail to invest in, while I'm cutting the models open-



The unusual bell and marker lights are very prominent in this view of 1524.



The pilots on the Proto 2000 "passenger" GP7 model are pretty good, but they don't match this pilot. I'm going to have to do sum cutting and sanding...



The marker light housing appear to be mounted on a piece of metal welded to the body. The ends tend to be white, with the sides showing what looks like amber. Shortline Products makes these specific details in HO.








The Bell might be a problem. No commerical castings look like this mount. That said, Custom Finishing sells a GP7 nose-bell part. The bell and the bracket are separate parts, and so I might be able to make a styrene bracket to match the prototype, and use the bell from the kit. It sure looks simple enough!





One minor detail that can be potentially easily done are these louvers on the short hood. I can only assume they were railroad specific for the GP7's steam generator, since the model doesn't have these specific ones. Plano makes switcher louvers that I bet match perfectly. The extra louvers appear on both sides of the short hood.



I hope you enjoyed this somewhat detailed look at CNJ's GP7s