I am planning to build a CSX Ballast train. I know that in modern days they use C30-7’s/C36-7’s. I model around the time of 2000, and I know the MOW locomotives were still going then, but they had received the Conrail locomotives by then. My first question stems from this: What type of locomotives did they use for ballast trains around 2000?
My second question is simple: Does anybody have any helpful hints or pictures?
I know that using a Roundhouse 2 bay cement hopper and an Athearn 2 bay coal hopper comes close with some slight modifications. Also, Walthers has had two runs of CSX ballast hoppers, and I have the first four. I cannot find the second three-pack, but I should soon as it is a new run. My third question is what were the prototype hoppers that CSX used to make their ballast hoppers, excluding the, uh, Walthers type? Roundhouse and Atlas also make ballast hoppers, but I have not seen any CSX ballast hoppers of the Atlas style. The type that the Roundhouse hoppers seem to be run on short ballast trains[?]But not on the long, 30-some unit trains like I am speaking of.
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.