Possiilties on a C32-8 kit bash...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

With rumors that ST will be producing a C39-8, I am wondering what it would take to make a passable C32-8 kit bash.

Right now I am thinking that the C39-8 nose, cab, dynamic brake hump and compartment doors and rear radiators. Spliced in between would be the 6 engine compartment doors from an Atlas B23-7.

The walkway would be cut down from the C39-8 to fit the shorter hood. This would be mounted on a Kato C30-7 chassis that has been milled to the correct width.

[learmoia]

I know this doesn't help your answer, but I was thinking about creating a foobie using a combination of a C40-8 and B23-7 Parts.

But I will likely just get the Scale Trains model.

~Ian

[CR4100]

Your idea sounds like it would work to me.  The biggest obstacle would be getting spare undec shells from Scale Trains.

Do you know of a source for Conrail Ballast Express decals?  Don't for get about the 6612(?)  which was rebuilt with the standard GE angular cab after an accident for variety in your fleet.

[bnsfdash8]

I've been meaning to modify my C39-8 cad down to a C32-8, but I've been putting it off since there's no ballast express decals out there. Are there any major modifications other than the shorter engine compartment?

[cjm413]

With rumors that ST will be producing a C39-8, I am wondering what it would take to make a passable C32-8 kit bash.

Right now I am thinking that the C39-8 nose, cab, dynamic brake hump and compartment doors and rear radiators. Spliced in between would be the 6 engine compartment doors from an Atlas B23-7.

The walkway would be cut down from the C39-8 to fit the shorter hood. This would be mounted on a Kato C30-7 chassis that has been milled to the correct width.

Are the Atlas C40-8 truck sideframes compatible with the Kato trucks?

[Ike the BN Freak]

I've been thinking of doing a B32-8, however the ones BN was testing were back at GE by my era

[cjm413]

I know this doesn't help your answer, but I was thinking about creating a foobie using a combination of a C40-8 and B23-7 Parts.

But I will likely just get the Scale Trains model.

~Ian

MR covered a C32-8 kitbash based on an Athearn "Blue Box" U33C before the Rail Power Products shell was released.

Even though it is a HO kitbash, it would probably wouldn't be too much different from a N kitbash based on a Kato C30-7.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I already have the Ballast Express decals about 90% done. Thats what started this kit-bash idea.

[bnsfdash8]

It's a start.

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[central.vermont]

I already have the Ballast Express decals about 90% done. Thats what started this kit-bash idea.

Dan, You working from the HO set produced by Micro Scale?

Jon

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Attached is the PDF I am working on. We have a color laser printer at work and I recently purchased some laser decal paper. Initial tests have been really good - no need to seal the decals after printing. I am working off this font:
http://www.railsimstuff.com/files/fonts/consolidated.zip

I'm still working on sizing.
I think "BALLAST EXPRESS" should be a variant on Dotum Bold or Arial font. (The handle on the R being more like that of Dotum, but the lettering should have uniform width like Arial.

The cab numbers should be Arial.

[CR4100]

Will you be doing the black and white stripes for the nose and pilot too?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I can't print white. My plan is to overlay a triple black band over standard white stripes from Microscale.

[u18b]

I would be in for one some day.

CSX inherited about 4 of these from Conrail after the break up.  But they retired them fairly quickly.

But I still want one.

Here's one with a CSX road number.
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/C32-8/7478cr.jpg