Detailing Bachmann GP38-2, maybe rebuilding as CSX 2623

[postman]

Hello. I´m a beginner and want to detail a Bachmann GP38-2 with road number CSX 2623. I have cut the molded lift rings and have drilled holes for putting details. The Bachmann CSX 2623 is not accurate, have larger fuel tank, the front light is wrong and so on.
It´s my first  project so all advice and tips are welcome.

The model:





Manolo CSX

[postman]

Project update:

Looking at pictures of the prototype, it looks as if the fuel tank is larger on the model, the prototype has patched class lights, the head light is on the nose and the dynamic brake housing is slightly different.

A picture of the prototype:

[gp30]

If you wanted to simplify a little bit, you could model an ex-Conrail unit in the 2715-2814 range. They had the high-mounted headlights and lower profile ditch lights on the pilots. They still have a shorter fuel tank, AFAIK.

[postman]

Sept 9, 2014 8:30:35 GMT -5 gp30 said:

If you wanted to simplify a little bit, you could model an ex-Conrail unit in the 2715-2814 range. They had the high-mounted headlights and lower profile ditch lights on the pilots. They still have a shorter fuel tank, AFAIK.

Thanks GP30. Want to model this unit because like the nose mounted pyle headlight. Have you ever modeled a prototype with this headlight?

[bbrunell]

How close to the prototype are you hoping to get - there are a lot of details on the Bachmann that need modification. The prototype has a drop-step, ditch lights, and MU stands that require changing - just on the pilot. BLMA makes light covers that could be used to cover the upper headlight and the class lights on the low hood. You would have to purchase a Pyle unit and mold it into the low hood. I've never tried to buy Bachmann parts, it might be easier to order a low hood with a light and also pick up a dynamic unit that matches the one you need. I think the Details West AH-191 Leslie horn matches the prototype. Hope this helps get you started...

[postman]

An update of this project, maybe I´ll renumber this unit because putting a nose light is not for a beginner.

[shwrailroader]

Looks pretty good so far.

[PVRR 2647]

Postman~

May I suggest CSX 2759 as a prototype to model this unit as. I looked through the CSX Photo Archives, to my eyes 2759 is the closest match with the least amount of surgery, it has the chicken wire grilles and the square "roots hump" behind the clean room. Some excons that were in corridor service have their edges beveled. The Archives have very recent photos of this unit, it has been setup for remote control, has RV air conditioners, and is also in YN3b paint now. With all of the recent changes that CSX has been making to it's motive power, CSX is beginning to become more and more challenging to model. I am going through some of the same issues that you are with my GP40-2 phase 1 for CSX.

Regards,
PVRR2647

[postman]

Oct 13, 2014 19:53:38 GMT -5 PVRR 2647 said:

Postman~

May I suggest CSX 2759 as a prototype to model this unit as. I looked through the CSX Photo Archives, to my eyes 2759 is the closest match with the least amount of surgery, it has the chicken wire grilles and the square "roots hump" behind the clean room. Some excons that were in corridor service have their edges beveled. The Archives have very recent photos of this unit, it has been setup for remote control, has RV air conditioners, and is also in YN3b paint now. With all of the recent changes that CSX has been making to it's motive power, CSX is beginning to become more and more challenging to model. I am going through some of the same issues that you are with my GP40-2 phase 1 for CSX.

Regards,
PVRR2647

Thanks for the input PVRR2647. I wanted to model this unit because like the nose headlight but maybe will renumber it as CSX 2759. I think I´ll model this unit as was in 2012, roof horn and no RV air conditioners. I´m also modeling two more GP38-2s, one with 88'' nose and I´m looking to buy CSX new image gold and blue with no luck.

Regards

[PVRR 2647]

Postman~

Please keep me informed if you have any luck finding someone who produces New image gold and new image blue. I have some old stock of Polly Scale that I will try to use on my GP40-2 p1's I switched over to Badger ModelFlex when Polly Scale stopped making almost all of their colors. I used PS for over 15 years and they just up and quit! Badger is good it doesn't have to be thinned to be used in an airbrush, they make almost every color that PS used to but NOT CSX new image gold or new image blue. If you are looking for new old stock on evil bay or craigslist the PN for PS is: F414394 CSX NEW IMAGE GOLD and F414393 CSX NEW IMAGE BLUE. Maybe Somebody with more expertise can tell us what is a good substitute. I'm thinking about trying C&O enchantment blue (badger pn 16-69) and B&O dulux gold (badger pn 16-190)the colors look real close on my computer. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
PVRR2647

[postman]

Oct 14, 2014 18:02:43 GMT -5 PVRR 2647 said:

Postman~

Please keep me informed if you have any luck finding someone who produces New image gold and new image blue. I have some old stock of Polly Scale that I will try to use on my GP40-2 p1's I switched over to Badger ModelFlex when Polly Scale stopped making almost all of their colors. I used PS for over 15 years and they just up and quit! Badger is good it doesn't have to be thinned to be used in an airbrush, they make almost every color that PS used to but NOT CSX new image gold or new image blue. If you are looking for new old stock on evil bay or craigslist the PN for PS is: F414394 CSX NEW IMAGE GOLD and F414393 CSX NEW IMAGE BLUE. Maybe Somebody with more expertise can tell us what is a good substitute. I'm thinking about trying C&O enchantment blue (badger pn 16-69) and B&O dulux gold (badger pn 16-190)the colors look real close on my computer. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
PVRR2647

Have read somewhere, I think was a Microscale decal sheet, that Badger modelflex MoPac blue (pn 16-86) and the NP yellow (pn 16-78) are a good match for the new image colours.