GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

I have let my work areas and layout get very cluttered!

Isn't that standard for railroad modelers? My workbench seems to be a perpetual state of clutter.

P.S. I REALLY like that Conrail unit! Sweet.

You're probably right, which explains why my photos are going away from the layout in the next couple progress shots (trust me, behind the camera is a mess so huge you need a hard hat and a narrow gauge tram to get to the layout).

These are the only two models i got for Christmas, but i can't complain. On the Left is a Brand new E33 that I plan to renumber into Conrail 4608. On the right, is a Atlas gold Conrail GP40-2, sound and all! The only thing it needs are a cab vent and a cab signal box, and it will be ready to roll. The GP40-2 is of Reading Company heritage, so i will see if there are any hints of Reading i can add.

both could use some weathering, but I'll see how things go.



For my birthday earlier this month, i got a new set of Metroliner electric multiple units. these got really beat up in shipping, and two didn't make it well, but i will rebuild these into Metroliner cabs. This means i have about 8 good metro liner cars. While i plan to repaint many into their "PRR/PC" scheme (which lasted fairly long into amtrak), i may also try to make some of the rebuild version of these cars, with the roof humps. Still working on the stemman pantographs as well (need those for the Arrow III multiple unit cars as well).




Because i have decided to stick more to the late 1970s and early 1980s, I also picked up this E60CH back in october, as well as several freight car kits, and additional Amtrak viewliner cars for my modern amtrak train at the club.

This E60 is a kit, but these are simple kits and I could build this in an afternoon (probably soon).



Among the freight cars were additional corn syrup/vegetable oil tankers, a boxcar, as well as Cylindrical, Flexi-flo and airslide hoppers. These are all so that i have some more traffic to my magic Pan bakery. I still need to build the boxcar, and airslide, and the cylindrical hopper (an intermoutain Pillsbury Hopper kit that is fairly intimidating).

I plan to repaint and rebuild the flexi-flo hoppers one day so that they look much more realistic. these are old AHM cars, and are pretty much the only model of their type of car. they showed up frequently enough on Conrail, so i figured it would be fun.



Finally, i have some model progress.

It looks REALLY dusty from sitting on my shelf, but this PL42AC is almost ready to run. THe decals are now totally complete, and It's drive is ready. All it needs is a decoder and LOTS of lights. this model in real life was built new in 2007, and it has full ditch lights, headlights, and marker lights on both ends. when i brush it off, i might add additional orange trim to the grab irons.




I also got some work done on my MP54 Multiple Unit cars. I put it together loosely for the photo, but it still needs work. the Funaro & Camerlengo kits are nice, but their trucks are terrible. the rear truck broke, and the only reason i don't complain is that the sideframe is still good, and if i power this model, i can still use that side frame over the underfloor power truck. I hope to eventually add seats and an interior, as the windows are MUCH to open to just leave it plain on the inside.

However, with the Concor MP54 MUs likely on the horizon, i think these will be the last kits of these models i do, so i hope to make them REAL good. don't let these photos trick you, they are still under construction. when they are done, they will look nice.






thats it for now, hopefully i'll get some scenery work done soon.