I am interested in getting a Conrail diesel locomotive for my collection. I only want one. I want to know which locomotive out of all of Conrails fleet was the most respected, most powerful locomotive that Conrail was known for that I can get to model for my collection in HO. Thanks.[:D]
SD60.
SD80MAC
I don’t even do modern but it was great heading over to near the former Bethlehem Steel plant to catch one coming through on one of the TV trains.
–Randy
Not sure that you will find a consensus for your question, but I can tell you that the two locomotives that I most associate with Conrail are the SD40-2 and the GP38-2. A close third would be the GP15. Conrail came into being when I was 7 years old, and I grew up in South Jersey next to what became known as the Beesley’s Point Secondary. The 40-2 and the 38-2 were a constant on this line (once the dust settled after Conrail’s formation), as was the 15 towards the end of Conrail. Conrail would have larger and more powerful motive power before the end, but when someone says Conrail to me, these are the locomotives I think of first.
If I had money and display space, my choice would be a pair of SD40-2s in the original paint (not the Conrail quality scheme).
This would also be my choice.
As a west coast guy, I associate the SD40-2 with Conrail. Just like the BN, CR I’m sure had bunches.
As has already been posted, opinions will vary on this. It’s subjective to the individual as to what his/her experience with Conrail was and/or bias towards their favorite locomotive or locomotive manufacturer. For my two cents, the SD80mac was a Conrail locomotive and arguably the last new units Conrail received. So it would be kind of fitting to have an SD80mac in Conrail colors on your layout if it’s just one “Big Blue” locomotive that you are looking for. The SD40-2 crowd make a good argument though…but I happen to like the SD40-2 and I am kind of biased towards EMD products…[:D].
Honestly though, it’s your railroad so go with whatever Conrail locomotive that interests you. Check out Railpictures.net for Conrail pictures. You might see a picture there and say “that’s the one!”.
Happy hunting!
Regards,
Don.
There is no right or wrong answer, I just want some opinions on what locomotive to get that best represents Conrail. Conrail had a lot of C40-8W too. I associate the Dash 9 with Norfolk Southern. For example when people think of New York Central most think of the Hudson. Some think of the Mohawk. Conrail had a lot of GP38-2, a lot of SD50s etc. [:)]
Around here in the Hudson Valley area Conrail had lots of U23-B’s and B23-7’s in use from Selkirk to NYC along with GP-38’s and GP-38-2’s. They also ran them on the West Shore Line from Selkirk to the South. I run a bunch of each on my layout.
If you want something unique to Conrail, I would say Conrail 0 the most interesting locomotive Conrail ever had, and pretty cool too.
Ummmm, if you mean this thing, http://www.railpictures.net/photo/251258/,
“I don’t think so, Tim”
How do you feel about stringing some catenary? [swg] I’d suggest the GG-1 - Bachmann released one recently, I think. [;)]
Wayne
This one right here! LOL!
–Randy
BTW there is a shell for 0 available from Shapeways if someone wants to model it
http://www.shapeways.com/model/2626753/ho-scale-conrail-quot-0-quot.html
–Randy
I present Conrail with the GP38-2, C40-8CW, and SD80MAC and perhaps the SD45-2.
But I really love the GP38-2. It was the main motive power.
Here is a power house…
Crew cab, even!
–Randy
As several have already stated, the choice is subjective. However, I would submit that the SD40-2 is the best locomotive to represent the Conrail Locomotive.
The Mechanical Department, was on record, as claiming the SD40-2 was the most reliable diesel ever, the most heavily utilized loco on Conrail, it went everywhere, and was used in every service, Mail, TV, Mixed Freight, Unit trains, and yard and local service. They were one of few classes that were around for Conrail’s complete lifetime.
That’s my thought.
Joe
Since I like the relatively modern stuff GE made a nice C30 that Conrail purchased from the late 70s to late 80s and Broadway Limited makes a nice version of this the GE C30-7 in DCC/DC that is a excellent runner. Check it out on their website.
Regg
I forgot to mention Conrail 0 is now owned by NS, and still has it’s Conrail paint scheme. As someone else mentioned, Shapeways sells a shell for Conrail 0. You could use an Athearn Blomberg B truck and power it with a small motor. It would work with DC. I might try it myself.
The great thing about Conrail 0 is that it is unique and interesting, plus it will work on any layout.
For a road locomotive I would suggest an SD40-2, Athearn released some Conrail in there RTR recently.