Espee B39-8

[DRGW 5398]

Here's a photo of a SP B39-8 that I stripped, detailed, painted and decaled. Started out as a factory painted Atlas HO ATSF B40-8 that I back-dated to a B-39.

Has working headlight, ditchlights and strobe!



This was a fun project, I would really like to have four of these for my intermodal trains. I'll have to add that to my list of ten-zillion other models I want to do!

[antlorch]

I have when they where first brand new in a Trains magazine.They sure do look nice but they ride like crap in real life....Nice job on the model looks great.......

[icghogger]

Great Job, Andrew, the extra effort was worth it, especially the attention to the steps and pilot (and we like 'em clean, too)!! Stay motivated!! ;D

[Randy Earle]

That's a great looking diesel, even if it isn't black. ;D

[DRGW 5398]

Thank you for the comments!

As for it being so clean, I have not gotten around to weathering it yet, when I do it'll be a really light dusting as this unit was modeled as it looked in the early '90's, before they had a chance to get dirty!

I have a small fleet of other Espee and Rio Grande units that are custom and are heavily weathered as if they've been in service for many years...after all, the SP didn't like washing their locomotives........EVER...lol!

[Smoke]

The model looks great!! *sarcasm* But did you have to ruin the picture with that UP engine? *end sarcasm* Great name by the way!

[superfleet93]

Great job...I just hate seeing anything ATSF repainted but that's ok, it still a great model!

Perry

[DRGW 5398]

Thanks guys!

I have good news for both of you:

The photo isn't really ruined, that UP AC4400 is patched SP 107, she'll be repainted shortly. Hey, if UP can do it so I can...I just revert them back to Espee!

I forgot, the ATSF B40-8 was actually a "Patch Job", BNSF 8610, so I didn't feel bad stripping it...I like the ATSF too.

[RunningExtra]

Looks great Andrew, be sure and post more pics after you get it weathered.

[superfleet93]

If it was patched BNSF then a strip and re-paint was the right thing to do!

Perry

[Kiro]

Jun 18, 2009 0:20:17 GMT -5 DRGW 5398 said:

Here's a photo of a SP B39-8 that I stripped, detailed, painted and decaled. Started out as a factory painted Atlas HO ATSF B40-8 that I back-dated to a B-39.

Has working headlight, ditchlights and strobe!



This was a fun project, I would really like to have four of these for my intermodal trains. I'll have to add that to my list of ten-zillion other models I want to do!

Hi Andrew!
Can you post some more pics? I have an Atlas SP B40-8 that needs to be reworked and detailed. And I also like them clean, not all SP diesels that were around there were dirty, do you agree?

[DRGW 5398]

Yeah...I'll take some more pix and get them posted.

And yes, I do agree. Not all SP units where dirty, the reason being is that units like T-2
's, the SD40, 45, 50 (ex-DRGW) and the like where used in heavy-haul coal and freight service and where not kept up very, I really don't think the SP owned a locomotive wash!

While the B39/40-8's, GP60's, GP40M-2's, SD70M's, etc where used on more high-priority trains, such as TOFC/COFC and later stack trains, so I think they tried to keep those units a little more clean! They also didn't work the coal and drag freights like the older units did.

ALSO, after the Rio Grande bought SP in 1988, company brass started making changes and came up with a plan, the "New Southern Pacific", along with that came the new Speed Lettering as well, so I think after the Grande bought SP, they tried to turn the company around and finally make something of it if it was going to last as a seperate company.

Personally, I like SP and Rio Grande units dirty, however, it's always nice to see one that's fresh out of the wash rack!