Morning all. I’m looking about for a good diesel passenger loco to head up my New York Central trains. From what I can tell the EMD E8 would be prototypical, but I can’t find anybody who does the E8 in NYC livery for N scale. Mostly been searching Walthers…are there some out there, or should I try to decorate my own (never done it before)?
Well it shouldn’t be too hard. If I recall correctly there was only one color grau with the lightening stripe scheme and the stripe shopuld be in a decal set. Hardest part would be getting it on straight and level. If you do decide to do your own post a message looking for tips. Most first timers get nervous as we all did and it really isn’t hard. It also allows you to have a number no one else does.
Well, I know that Broadway Limited Imports (BLI), makes them for HO, but I’m not sure with N scale. Try either Kato, Athearn N, or maybe Atlas (Spectrum). If none of those work, you might have to do your own. Sorry.[swg]
IIRC, Life-Like did the E8 in NYC several years ago. Try eBay…
Jim
There are lots of possibilities here. I did my own E’s yrs ago, bothin lightning stripe and black.
What is good from a modeling standpoint is that the NYC used a variety of power from different builders on their passenger trains. Power used on passenger trains came from Fairbanks Morse, EMD, Alco, BLW, and Lima. The locomotives used included cab and road switcher units. As you might expect, the power used varied according to the type of train. Sme of them worked better than others, but that’s for another forum.
The good thing here, of course, is that there are lots of photographs out there from different years which will allow you to come up with a pretty accurate NYC train.
work safe
I think I may take the plunge, then. I assume Fallen Flags is a good place to check for E-unit photos. Any other places to look? Any general tips on painting? I see Life-Like has a Proto 2000 E8/9 undecorated. Seems like about the only option in N scale.
Life Like did run an E8 A and B unit a while ago; I recently sold off my set.
If you’re looking for NYC passenger diesels, there’s a set of NYC PA’s on Ebay now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989002212
There’s also a set of Con Cor E8’s:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989612097
And a set of Con Cor PA’s:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989612799
And a set of Life Like Erie Builts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5989465373
In other words, LOTS of NYC passenger diesels on Ebay. Of course, I’d also check places like Trainworld. And if you’re looking specifically for a LL E8, just keep haunting Ebay; one will show up eventually!
Having been burned on eBay with a pair of Bachman F7s (look nice, run like crap) I’ve been avoiding it for a bit, honestly, but I’ll take another look now that you’ve pointed it out. I was edging towards ‘buy new’ for the time being. Once burned twice shy, I suppose.