Making a C39-8

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a question that hopefully someone can point in the right direction. I want to create a C39-8 for my Norfolk Southern fleet. What shells do I need to create one of these awesome engines. I am looking at creating one for HO Scale. I know that I need a dash 8 shell but what else. Can I use a B23-7 shell for the cab. Any help would be great.

Will

2

these may have some answers.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/162441.aspx

http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dash&action=display&thread=621&page=1

3

Rail Power Products c32-8 shell and some detail parts.

David B

4

Thanks for the reply. What detail parts would I need and would this shell fit a Athearn dash 9 or shoulf I stick to a U33?

5

You need handrails (smokey valley) and etched grills (the molded on ones lack any depth). Beyond that, the standard handrails, mu hoses and the like.

For a chassis, I used an Atlas U33C. Much better than the Athearn version, but runs much smoother.

David B

6

I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction. I was leaning toward the Atlas version based on the 4 others I have that are all great runners. Many Thanks Dave.

7

Will,

By doing a keyword search on the magazine index page, you will find that there have been 7 articles on the C39-8.

http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=c39-8&MAG=ANY

Of these, the 2 part article by Ed Ryan & David Hussey in the August 1993 and September 1993 Railroad Model Craftsman is the most in-depth one.

In Ed Sanickys article in the September 1992, Mainline Modeler he used 2 RPP C32-8 bodies and a Athearn underframe.

In Alex Kings article in the January 1997 Railmodel Journal he just took a RPP C32-8 and painted/decaled it for NS. This approach will work if you don’t care that the number of engine compartment doors is wrong. There are 8 doors on the C39-8 whereas the C32-8 has only 6.

Dan