GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Well, school is REALLY cutting into my modeling, but thats alright.

I did refurbish some models:

NJ transit E60CH 958:

I removed the old crappy decals, and repainted the silver parts of the model, making the paint sharper. I reapplied the decals to the model when it dried, and this time sealed it with gloss clear coat (I had not sealed it perviously). I can get away with a glossy body as these engines frequently took trips through Sunnyside Yard's car washer, and besides, i have yet to see a dirty disco striped E60 (they weren't on NJT long enough to get dirty in reality anyway, being a stop gap between the GG1s and the ALP44 "toasters" of today)

I've also added windsheild wipers, and i have MU hoses for the unit, though i need to get some other pilot details before i install them.



NJ transit ALP44 #4405

Speaking of toasters, i also finally covered up the gaping hole i made in the roof of mine. ALP44s, while very similar to the AEM7s on Amtrak, are 10 years younger, and have smaller roof resistor grids (for dynamic breaks). The Atlas model featured an AEM7 style grid, which i aimed to correct. I scratch built a new one to scale using styrene sheet, brass mesh "screens", and plastic Kadee screws that looked lot like the resistor grids themselves. I mounted this on super thin plastic, and i have it temporarily installed with tacky scenic glue on the roof until I'm sure i like how it looks. The glue is strong enough to hold it in place, even through handling, but i can also peel it right off without harming the model. I also painted some of the handrails and other pieces so that they more accurately matched the prototype. they are small changes, but the models look way different.

I would like to do this for my other AEM7s, when i find materials that match their resistor grids more closely.



Close up of one of the resistor grid banks from below to show detail-



NJ Transit GP40-2 #4300

This one i would like to say i have done work on, but in reality, i just got this engine a few months ago. It needs some work to be more accurate, but there are little things i'll probably do this week, like add strobes, cab signal boxes, air conditioning units, and the correct K5LA horn. in the future, i'll need to build up the anti climbers, and probably add ditch lights.



Conrail E44A #4457

My Black E44 is back on the road, and now that all obvious DCC problems appear to have been resolved, I can put it back on the active roster. My other E44s (4456 and 4465) should be joining their sister sometime before next november (this year, i REALLY want my E44s and E60MA to be running for the train shows)



IN Other news....

i got my now two oldest pieces of equipment, a pair of 1965 Walthers MP54 cars (coach and combine). They are way to long when they sit next to modern MP54 models, but they don't look bad. i'm debating whether or not i should simply just build new "side" pieces, since everything else about the kit would be easily shortened. I also have a good knowledge of the cars, so i don't see why i wouldn't be able to make them look just as good as any other MP54 car.

They are a little bit special though. One thing that is interesting are the slightly undersized pantographs. Usually, the only diamond pans around are the GG1 pans, but they are way to big. Bachmann's E33 pans are probably closer, but these ALMOST have it right. I did some measuring, and some of the parts are to scale, some are undersized. Since the whole thing is soldered together, i might be able to adjust it with new pieces. I like the base, as it follows the generally correct profile, but it may also need work. another cool feature is a small lever that allows the pantographs to rise (rather than pulling on the pan). I can see someone wiring such a pan to go up and down by DCC.






Parting shot of NJ transit Electric evolution. GG-1 > E60CH > ALP44 > ALP46