Post by rock on Jun 19, 2013 10:10:11 GMT -5
The Omaha Terminal is a fictional shortline on my Meadow Sub layout that operates most of the urban industrial customers on the pike. The Omaha Terminal rosters all ex-Rock Island GE power - this is fictional power, based on the Rock Island lasting longer than it really did - i.e. B18-7s. I already painted up a B18-7 for the Omaha Terminal that I originally built for the Rock Island and decided to do a second one for their other subdivision, the Belt Sub, which works together with the Meadow Sub to switch industries in South Omaha.
For this second B18-7, I decided to retire a B30-7 unit, use the motor for an SPSF B23-7 (bought a spare shell from Atlas parts), and use the shell to create this B18-7. I also decided this one would have sound and to make things easy on myself, I bought an InterMountain U18B chassis with sound and no shell through my dealer, who was able to work this out through InterMountain.
For those who may not know, the B18-7 was a planned replacement for the U18B by GE, included in their early Dash 7 catalog, but never ordered by any railroads (the GP15s were in full production at this time). They share the same chassis - truck centers are exactly the same - but are a couple feet longer because of the added walkway space in the front and rear. Thus, for this B18-7 and my original one, I use an InterMountain U18B chassis and add long-shank couplers to make up the extra shell length.
This kitbash was super easy since I already did a B18-7 and just followed it as a guide. However, this shell is a slightly older phase, without the anticlimber and with extra side windows on the cab. The work involved simply cutting out 4 doors on the long hood and making a similar size cut in the sill (basically reducing one handrail stanchion). Then I glued the shell to the sill, which keeps everything sturdy. I painted the Omaha Terminal scheme right over the Rock Island scheme, as would have happened in real life. I painted the extra windows as if they were blanked out with metal as per standard modern practice on other railroads.
Here is a photo after kitbashing and painting:
You can see the original B18-7 in the background. I now have the decals finished and just need to do some touch-up paint, weather it and install the shell on the new drive.
And here is a link to a thread on my first B18-7 kitbash:
dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/6924
For this second B18-7, I decided to retire a B30-7 unit, use the motor for an SPSF B23-7 (bought a spare shell from Atlas parts), and use the shell to create this B18-7. I also decided this one would have sound and to make things easy on myself, I bought an InterMountain U18B chassis with sound and no shell through my dealer, who was able to work this out through InterMountain.
For those who may not know, the B18-7 was a planned replacement for the U18B by GE, included in their early Dash 7 catalog, but never ordered by any railroads (the GP15s were in full production at this time). They share the same chassis - truck centers are exactly the same - but are a couple feet longer because of the added walkway space in the front and rear. Thus, for this B18-7 and my original one, I use an InterMountain U18B chassis and add long-shank couplers to make up the extra shell length.
This kitbash was super easy since I already did a B18-7 and just followed it as a guide. However, this shell is a slightly older phase, without the anticlimber and with extra side windows on the cab. The work involved simply cutting out 4 doors on the long hood and making a similar size cut in the sill (basically reducing one handrail stanchion). Then I glued the shell to the sill, which keeps everything sturdy. I painted the Omaha Terminal scheme right over the Rock Island scheme, as would have happened in real life. I painted the extra windows as if they were blanked out with metal as per standard modern practice on other railroads.
Here is a photo after kitbashing and painting:
You can see the original B18-7 in the background. I now have the decals finished and just need to do some touch-up paint, weather it and install the shell on the new drive.
And here is a link to a thread on my first B18-7 kitbash:
dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/6924
