Yes, except that the trucks are incorrect if they are as shown on the Broadway website. All the pictures of Conrail C30-7’s I’ve seen only have one snubber/shock absorber on each truck and it is on the center axle. I have one of the first run units that Broadway made and before I purchased it I specifically asked what the truck side frame looked like. I was told that it would be correct. When it showed up the side frames were not correct. To their credit, Broadway sent me a set of spare side frames which I installed.
Here is a few pictures of Conrail 0. http://goo.gl/z1inIR
As you can see it was original brown, but was painted blue sometime before 1991. Personally I think the blue looks better. It is still wearing it’s Conrail paint and is in good condition. Based on the photos, it is going to be wearing that paint scheme for a long time.
Short of asking a former CR engineer I would submit any modern GE unit since CR had several types of GEs.
I am a former locomotive electrician and hostler for Conrail at the Enola locomotive shop (1988-1994).
SD40-2 hands down!!!
Easy to work on, excellent riding characteristics with the flexicoil trucks instead of HTC, smooth loading capabilities, and not to mention their cool looks…thinking of their big end porches. I’ll say GP15-1’s as a close second…dreamy simplicity and a 1500 hp hot rod.
My vote is for the SD40-2.
Mark H
I’ll cast my vote for the SD40-2 as well. When my wife and I lived near the former Reading main line from 1985-88, that was the only type of loco I ever saw.
My vote is the SD45-SD40 pairs that were in the Cresson helper pool, the SD40’s especially hung around as they were ultra reliable, even more so than the SD40-2. Many a train went up the grade with a SD45-SD40 on the point and at the rear.
Rick
The few Conrail engineers I ever talked to all hated the GE’s. Too slow to load was the primary complaint. Definitely the 40-2’s if you want the ‘iconic’ Conrail loco. But plenty of others were much more distinctive - mainly because they weren’t seen on practically every train rolling by.
–Randy
Yes Kyle, the Conrail 0 is a unique being in itself. I worked around that critter countless times in the 6 years I did with Conrail. And all it did was move locomotives in and out of the wheel true building. It’s battery powered and radio controlled. It would make an interesting modeling project.
Mark H
But my vote still stays with SD40-2’s.
When I began to decide on what ERA for my then new to be built layout back in 2000 - I decided upon the 1975-1985 time frame and the beginning of Conrail.
This allowed me to run the very last of PRR - PC and the Beginnings of Conrail on my soon to be build layout.
I was modeling the Lowgrade line in Western PA from Phillipston Yard to Driftwood, PA
I found in my research that Conrail as did PC send all of their well worn engines to be used up in Coal Country (Lowgrade Line) so anything could be seen there.
As Conrail took over - now the fresh CR Blue was showing up - even SD40-2s
BUT!
Also any of the engines acquired in the merger - Reading - EL - PRR & PC - NYC - etc etc.
As they were not in the best condition they got shoved north
This then allowed me to run anything on my layout that was included into the Merger.
This idea wasn’t by accident - I planned it as there were too many good looking smooth running engines coming out.
I wanted them all - and by being smart enought to use the proper ERA - I could do so without the Proto Police coming down on my case!
While they still do - as they forget that I am doing early Conrail - I get the last laugh as I cut them to shreads when I ask them to tell me what is wrong with the types of engines on my layout and what ERA I am running.
they soon turn around and leave with their tails between their legs!
THEY just won’t learn - will they?
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I really liked the SP and SSW units we got on run through trains off the Cotton Belt. And—some of them were air conditioned!
Charlie
I don’t doubt that even though just about every other CR train I seen in Marion or Crestline Oh was GE powered excepting the locals that was pulled by GP38-2s.
Sadly by the time I started railfaning the above areas in '88 any SD40-2 was a oddity and a real treat since modern GE and SD units rule the main line in those two cities.
Another treat was a mail or TV train pulled by 3 GP40-2s.
Interesting, I would have thought the -2s would be more reliable, since the difference was the upgraded electronics. Though they were easier to repair because the -2s’ electronics are modular so you could simply replace a a part, and fix the part when there is time.
My vote is still for an SD40-2, and if you have shops on your layout, Conrail 0 as well.
Yes, I would have to agree, that among these is the SD45 and the SDP45. Again, the SD40-2 was very popular as well. These two, especially in the early Conrail years, were, in my mind the most popular, along with the GP38-2 and some of GE’s U-boats, both B’s and C’s.
This is from an article on modeling the SD40’s of the Cresson Helper Pool by Jim Six inn Model Railroading Magazine from June 1992.
"In order t o find o u t why Conra i l ’ s SD 40s are s o l o n g - l i v e d , I w e n t t o C l e v e l a n d to t a l k w i t h e m p l o y e e s o f Conra i l ’ s Col l i nwood Locom o t i v e Shop. Here ’ s what I found out. There are three fundamental reasons that Conra i l ’ s SD40s have been so long-l i v ed as a first- l i ne locomotive: ease of ma inte nance, re l i a b i l i t y and v e rs a t i l i t y - t h e attributes any ra i l road wants from i t s loco mot i v e s . U s i n g t h e se t h ree fa c t o rs a s a bas i s of p e r f o rm a n c e . at 3 . 000 h p , t h e SD40 outperforms many of t h e latest gen eration of h igh-technology locomotives of considerably more muscle. Cert a i n l y none can match the S D40 in i t s
I vote SD40-2. I have an SD40 in N scale Conrail colors, and I love it.
I once worked with a S/E who came from EMD. He said the sd 40-2 was the best road engine ever made because of the reliability, serviceability and performance.
definitely a pair if SD40-2’s
As a locomotive engineer for Conrail. The SD 45 gets my vote for the best engine of the time . 3600 hp and extremely responsive to the throttle. There wasn’t anything you could not do handling the train . The only fault they had was rocking between 10 - 25 mph when on stick rail.
I see lots of votes for SD40 series, but for me, a C40-8W. Conrail added red marker lights, a very cool touch. And, I was able to get up-close and personal to one as a child, so, for me, Conrail blue, GE C40-8W with red marker lights, thanks. Only if for that experience, but it was awesome for a (approx.) 8 yr old at the time… (Man, that thing was HUGE!!!) So, I got one in HO. Now to rework it so those marker lights actually light up… [:-^]
SD40-2
CR had a bunch of 'em. 6358 - 6524 (77 78 79)j
Any detail parts that can be imagined can be easily found. 30+ year old units can wear ANY degree of weathering. Great pics online.
Some have “one-off” modifications which drive visiting purists nuts. LOL.
Personally, I’d begin with an non decorated or painted model, but that’s just me.
Happy hunting and post up some pics when you’ve found what you’re looking for.