I started this project a couple of years ago, and got it to 98% complete, but then it sat idle for a long time. The other day I put the finishing touches on it and called it “done.” I got a PM about this from another forum member a few months ago, so I thought I’d go ahead and post my completion pics.
This project started life as a 1980’s vintage Athearn Blue Box SCL U33B #1733, complete with old school metal AAR sideframes (incorrect for these engines). I just started dabbling with the project when I was inspired by cmarchan’s outstanding thread on a similar project here.
For general instructions, I followed John Edwards’s excellent article on modeling SCL U36B and slug sets in the Aug 1988 issue of Model Railroader. Thank goodness I lived near San Diego at the time and was able to get my hands on this back issue via the SDMRM’s wonderful library!
Here is a “before” photo:
Here are a couple of progress photos:
Here are some “after” photos:
Here she is leading a consist of freight cars that I would have seen as a kid in my hometown of Plant City, FL… Except for the 2nd and 3rd car, which are from the Plant City MRR club… and of course, the Tropicana reefers typically didn’t go solo on the SC
I don’t know anything about that loco, including the model of it, but it appears as if you have done a lot of great detailed work on it. Congratulations.
Now you have to dust it all up and put the odd little rust streak on it. Darn, eh? [(-D]
An Auto Train U36B is on my bucket list, still looking for a shell or undec. I know I have that MR issue that you mentioned, you just saved me a few hours of searching, thanks.
Thanks for the kind comments, everyone! It was a fun build, and I’m looking forward to completing some more projects like this now that the learning curve should be a little shorter. Not sure it’s Diesel Detailer board quality, though… especially without the weathering! [;)]
@ woodman: yes, it is glossy. I finished it off with Future floor polish so I could do the decals, then sprayed it again once the decals were on. I’m such a weathering wimp I couldn’t bring myself to spray it will Dullcote after that! I kind of like the way it looks, though. One of these days if I ever work up the courgage to weather it, I’ll give it a nice Dullcote overspray.
This is excellent! (MRR Magazine article candidate?) . Another SCL U36B on the forum with beautiful work and detailing. Individual LED lights for each? That had to be quite a task!
You mentioned Plant City. I visit their quite a bit and see CSX and Amtrak action (although it’s nothing like the Seaboard Coast Line days). Do you currently live in PC?
Thanks, Antonio! I have seen you around the forum in the past and knew you were an SCL fan. I do have another one of these “in the queue” that I plan to finish in the Family Lines scheme one of these days.
I grew up in Plant City, graduated from PCHS. I don’t live there anymore, but my family still does. We try to make the trek down there about once a year to visit. A couple of years ago I stopped by one of the model RR club meetings in the old High School building - that was really neat to see, and they were a great bunch of guys. The next day we visited the train station/museum where my wife authorized the purchase of the two club boxcars in the photo above [:D]
Yes, Plant City is still an enjoyable place for railfans to visit.
Looking forward to seeing that your U-Boat. I remember first seeing GEs in Family Lines paint in the Tampa area around 1981-82. Neat thing was that both black “Bumble Bee” and Family Lines schemes lingered through to the CSX era.
Excellent work, your efforts really come through.
Great Model!!!
Thank you for sharing & making a real informative write up.
Your Modelling & the information is really appreciated!
[:D][Y][Y]Love them old Athearn U boats I have 8 at the moment 5 Bs and 3 Cs.One of the Bs is going to become a U 18-B when I find the article on building it. [:D]
I hope to meet you the next time you are in the Tampa Bay Area.