Conrail C32-8 "Ballast Express"

[cab4]

Right now i'm working on a Ballast Express C32-8. Initially, this doesn't look like a hard project, but if you want a nice model, its going to be tough stuff.

First off, the provided mounting tabs hold the shell way to high up on the frame. So my first task was to lower it. The C32-8 looks decivingly like a dash-7 or a U-boat, and even though i used a U-boat frame, its going to need work to make it match a Dash 8.

I useing an engraving bit in my dremel tool to make a dimple in the shell that the frame's pegs could pop into. Next you need to lower the top surface of the frame's fuel tank by a scale three inches, which can be accomplished by useing a sanding drum on a dremel tool (don't use a grinding wheel, it will get caked with whatever these frames are made of). This also requires that you cut out the old couple pocket mount and grind down some other parts of the frame so that the shell will fit properly.

The radiators also need to go. they have molded on bumps that are not convincing at all. Details Associates makes C32-8 grills that are beautiful. Using a sanding drum that fits in the space of the radiators, i sanded and carved this down until i could get the upper grill to be flush.

And those are just the major changes. I've also added see through vents and steps where i could, and replaced the U-boat side frames with Dash-8 ones by smokey valley. In fact, i have a whole athearn box loaded with detail parts meant only for this locomotive, but i need some atlas parts to arrive so i can finish the main body shell (I still need to add the rachet-type brake levers in the nose). After that, i can paint it and get some serious detailing done.

here are some pictures.











And remember, SAFETY FIRST! Never cut towards you....



This model is far from over, expect to see more updates on it soon.

[Randy Earle]

Looks great! Ouch! I've got a few scars.

[nysw240]

I have a OVERLAND unpainted C32-8 on consignment coming soon so that should be fun installing a decorder , then i have to add the red marker lights the front and rear headlights and the front ditchlights . I will keep you posted. I gave up on the Railpower shell when i saw The overland one and i cant wait for it . Thanks Mike

[cab4]

Jul 4, 2008 10:28:20 GMT -5 nysw240 said:

I have a OVERLAND unpainted C32-8 on consignment coming soon so that should be fun installing a decorder , then i have to add the red marker lights the front and rear headlights and the front ditchlights . I will keep you posted. I gave up on the Railpower shell when i saw The overland one and i cant wait for it . Thanks Mike

Actually thats my personal goal. A guy at my club has a Brass C32-8. When i can trick people into thinking it is brass at first glance, the model will be done. Besides, I have much more fun building these things then i do getting them already built. The fact that this is cheaper is also nice.

I've got a whole mess of details (including all the headlight stuff and red markers), but i can't do anything until the hand-brake assembly gets here from Atlas (stealing some SD35 parts), as well as other particular pieces i can't find elsewhere, like those v-shaped coupler lift bars. Overland used to make them, but as it turns out, they stopped making detail parts the day i started looking...

Jul 4, 2008 15:58:20 GMT -5 @sigfanusaf said:

cab4:

She looks great! I had thought about getting into one of those............maybe now I will if I can find a shell

I wish someone would come out with an affordable C39-8!

Then you are in luck! PPW/A-line has a few of them in stock.

Originally, i was actually planning to use this shell for a C39-8, but i got impatient and i also didn't like the major surgery i'd need to do to make one.

A C39-8 is going to need a C40-8 frame, since they are the same length. I'd go atlas, since you can remove the fueltank on the atlase frame. I'd then try and get a couple of the B40-8 fuel tanks, and the air tanks (details west makes the set i plan to use). The next biggest problem is that you are going to need an 8-door hood section, because the C39-8 has a bigger prime mover. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Its still a C32-8 if you have the 6 doors, no matter how much you paint and detail it.

To be honest though, I think this isn't as bad as it sounds. All you'd need to do is get an old Athearn U30C or some other scrap GE with the 8 doors (they are all the same from the U-boat to now on these hood sections) and then cut up the C32-8 at the right point. THen you just splice them together. There may be space for a styrene strip to reinforce the joint. If its square, go for it! If you do it right, the seem where you cut will look like the seem that is naturally at those locations on the locomotive. Then your C39-8 will be acceptable. There are some extra vents on under the radiator, but they are no big deal to add extra. In fact, you could probably leave them out and no one would notice.

I'd go for one, but i just don't have the money to do it.

[cab4]

Well, i got enough done on it to paint it, but the paint is coming out bad. I think i'm going to have to go for another coat of a "grayer" paint.

[superfleet93]

I remember pulling an Xacto Knife blade out of my bone and still have the scar. I feel your pain...and great job on the loco!

Perry

[CIOR]

Cab4, have you thought about tinting the primer with a black tone? This might help, but I wouldn't go too dark.
OK, I will shut up on painting advice. I can give it, but when it comes to masking, I walk away..LOL

[DRLOCO]

CIOR--painting is easy, and laying decals straight is easier after having a scotch on the rocks!

THe model looks nifty--can't wait to see the progression. I used to run these engines. They were okay, but to CR, they were the bastards of the fleet. I never had any problems with them, and they were sure better than the current CSX MofW power!

Just remember to properly "alter" the words "Ballast Express" like the engines I ran that said:
Balls Express
Ball St. Express (a college in Muncie, In that David Letterman flunked out of)
Last Express

[nysw240]

I bought the numberboards from a Scraped C32-8 off of ebay. they are the NS numbers 8461 but they were a part of a C32 . now only if i could find the ex conrail numbers ;D

[cab4]

Cool!

Anyways, i haven't done much to the model. I tried painting it again, and it came out worse. I'm thinking i might have to remove the grills to strip some clogged paint.

this was mostly the result of my airbrush functioning poorly at the time, and a poor choice in paint. Now that i have my airbrush working correctly, i plant to continue work on this model soon, And hopefully it will be close to being finished before the end of show season for my model railroad club.

[cab4]

I got my C32-8 almost done, i just need to re-apply some decals and post pictures. I have a sound decoder coming for it, so it will be fancy.

[stewarttrains98]

looks very nice, great work, thanks for sharing.

[nh375]

Did you ever finish this project? If you did, I would like to see pics. I just found a shell on Ebay and I am collecting parts.
LD

[nsc39d8]

Instead of the Athearn drive the shell will fit on an Atlas U30/33 drive. I used a complete Atlas for my C32-8.

[tankcarsrule]

Very nice looking build, lots of detail.

Regards, Bobby

[spike]

When I lived in Mass much time was spent buffing the B&A, including camping out along the line in the Berkshires.

How about some C30-7As to go with it?

[pacbelt]

It's looking really good. I, among others, would truly love to see the finished product!

There are indeed many half finished projects here, that a few of us would like to see DONE.
How many have LEFT the forum? The Hobby??
I for one, don't want the RTR crowd to win!!

Let's see more WORK!!!
Please!