Work proceeds on the GEVO, a couple of errors in the etch precludes a final model build, but it'll serve it's purpose to check all the additional bits and changes to design, some I know haven't worked before even fitting.
The MTH upgrade hit a wall when the first part (cab windscreen) didn't fit which kind of threw me so out with the measuring stick and a trawl through photos and drawings reveal that the MTH cab is not quite right, ironically neither is mine nor the Overland model either, all suffer from the odd measurement error here and there. But, I have a better handle on it now and it may be possible to adjust the GEVO etch to test the theories.
Anyway, a few weeks back whilst idling through Ebay at lunch time two Atlas Dash8's popped up, both 2 rail and both insanely cheap, however, they were Atlas and Trainman to boot. Basically, Trainman is Atlas's entry range aimed at carpet railways for want of a better word, they're scale length and sizes but lack all the additional addon on bits and pieces higher end models come with.
The images didn't seem to show a 'carpet' model at all, so a quick browse of reviews finds that although it's Trainman, it's not actually that bad, given the price it was worth a punt. By that time one had already gone so it was a blink of an eye and the other was mine; it arrived today
Here, is the face that changed US railroading forever, the advent of the Comfort cab, Wide cab, North American cab, call it what you may. The GE wide cab was not a new idea, fitted before to many Canadian engines and by EMD way back on the Centennials and later GP60M's, but this time it stuck and the GEVO revolution was started.
At a first glance there are a couple of obvious issues, the moulded wipers on the glass, the overly wide truck frames and typical RTR lack of under frame plumbing.
Another issue less easily fixed is the engine intake filter, the big long one behind the dynamic brake intakes, it's the wrong size by quite a margin, certainly height, length less so. UP didn't buy into the wide cab Dash 8-40CW initially, just 39 units all told, of which 9390 is one of them, they already had a large fleet of standard cab GE's.
They did however buy more of the engine upgraded Dash 8-41CW, there's little to tell them apart, nothing externally as far I've found, but with 163 units on order was a sizeable contract.
Sante Fe (ATSF) also bought both models and having an Overland one of those it was a simply task to do some comparisons.
Now it has to be said that the Overland model foes for between £1200-1700 depending on demand, the Atlas one cost me £186 plus shipping, so it's a bit of an unfair comparison......or is it?
The Atlas model captures the cab screen area very well and measures out quite accurately, though the side quarter light window is a little too large, on the other hand, the Overland nose top is too low, which deepens the screen front and to compensate Overland have enlarged the front screens vertically, the quarter light window is too small, the real engine is sized between the two models.
On the casing the Atlas moulded detail is surprisingly good, a little to 3D in places and the handrails are not overly offensive, robust but delicate, as opposed to Overlands cast channel offerings. Conversely the etched doors and panels on the Overland are to 2D, engine doors are flush with a half etch groove to represent them, Atlas doors do at least stand proud like the real thing and some gentle washes and weathering will show them up nicely.
Pilots on the Atlas are to be expected for RTR and it suffers from having to be both 2 rail and 3 rail compatible, little things like the extra moulded socket for the front hand rail on the step cill beam (just beside the F marking at the front)
Where Overland really wins is below the hem line, there is no comparison between the two, Ford Focus viz Aston Martin DB9, though with a little effort the Atlas can be upgraded to Focus ST quite easily.
Some scale wheels, possibly P48, though I'm heading more toward a garden roundy roundy for the US stuff as opposed to an uber detail shunting plank/diorama affair.
New 3D printed truck frames with narrow mounting lugs will move them inboard, the Dash 8 trucks did not have single direction facing traction motors, thus there is no need for the rear transom seen on later models where all traction motors face the same way; that way two side frames are all that is required. Some faux side cills and some detail around the tank and reservoirs would tickle the underside nicely.
I never did see any UP Dash 8's, they're all gone now anyway, but back in 2013 and 2015 they abounded in central Florida and despite their age, were often used on point. According to reports, they're still gong strong as well.
Cracking along at 40MPH through the everglades, 13,000 HP and six tank wagons, so no issues keeping to track speed, actually here it's 60MPH but the driver is just rolling south toward Dade City at a steady pace.
Rolling south and the howl from the DC traction motors is just awesome; not as loud as rolling down grade through Fenner on full dynamics holding back 12,000t at 70MPH mind.
Nice side shot that shows the uneven arrangement of traction motors, leading and intermediate axles have a trailing traction motor, the trailing axle has a leading traction motor, it makes for a very compact truck but limits the size of traction motor you can fit. The advent of larger AC traction motors precluded this arrangement unless the axle spacing was increased between the intermediate and rear axle. Thus the rear motor was turned around but then the motor need somewhere to hang from, hence the introduction of the transom.
Still rolling south through Knights, one of four units in the consist, 7675 is just idling along for the ride, as was the SD40-2 trailing that and the rear unit (forgot to note down), 7859 up front is doing all the work and the weight of three trailing engine far exceeded the six tank wagons in tow.
As with many things GE, the tale does not end there, following the Dash 8 was the Dash 9, more often as not rated at 4400 over the 4000/4100 of the Dash 8. The bigger engine required a longer frame and revised cubicles.
But, before the Dash 9 got into full flow there were a few hybrids knocking around, one of these being CSX 9000 class, built as C44-9W CSX decided to increase their running hours by derating the engines to 4000HP and classified them as C40-9W, a class of only 52 engines.
More interestingly they decided to do all that on the shorter Dash 8 chassis, there are some subtle differences, although the chassis is Dash 8 it carries the new six rung access steps of the Dash 9, as opposed to five on the Dash 8 and the nose filler spouts are now vertical, not parallel with the sheet metal work like the Dash 8.
CSX derated Dash 9, 9004 piles on the power as it and two Dash 8's lift a 100+ car manifest upgrade at Vitis Junction, you can't beat Dash 8's and 9's in run 8, they are so loud.
The train has come off the Vitis Subdivision and in all probability originated in Winston yard, though it could of originated in Taft or Tampa, destination unknown. To the right is the line to Plant City on the Yeoman Subdivision and the train is now on the Wildwood Subdivision.
Trains leaving Winston can get here two ways, turn right to Lakeland, then left to Vitis (here) or turn left to Plant City and then right to Vitis (here), confused
well that's what happens when you cherry pick which two historically parallel systems you choose to retain going forward. Florida is criss crossed with the A and S lines, originally SCL and ACL, both competing for the same traffic and often running parallel lines. CSX merged these and then cherry picked the best sections and joined them all up.
The Vitis, Plant City, Lakeland triangle is always busy (for Florida) and makes train chasing quite exciting, especially if you don;t have a scanner.
Anyway. I'm rambling, back to the Atlas Dash 8, having no real affinity for UP versions this little venture has reopened my interest in Florida's Bone Valley operations and revived some special memories, and that I think, is worth more than any super detailed model. So, I think in due time she will become one of Florida's work weary war horses, battered and weathered. The MTH ES44 will be my UP fix for now.
In closing, despite it's RTR pedigree, I'll certainly be looking out to grab more of them, especially at that price, more so 2 railers, but will consider 3 railers at a push, at sub £200 and despite shipping, they are very good bang for buck.