C40-9s

[Ladderpipe]

Here is a pair of -9s I have been working on recently. The C40-9 is my favorite GE out of the -7, -8 & -9 era

[Ladderpipe]

Some different angles

[Ladderpipe]

More

[Ladderpipe]

The only heartburn I have with these builds is the fact that you need an Atlas shell at $30, when you only need 1/3rd of it. I wish someone would develop a line of GE detail parts. For some reason, GE is largely overlooked by aftermarket / detail parts manufactures but you can build an EMD from the frame rails up.

[chipallen16]

I love those models. You're doing a wonderful job on them (and everything else). I really do wish individual parts were still available to kitbash and scratchbuild. And I'm sure GE is overlooked because the bandwagon says that "EMD is better." I like both, though I'm going to take a GE over an EMD in a contest. However, in a model railroad, I'm going to model what I realistically see.

Again, great job!
-Chip 

[Ladderpipe]

Thank you. I have really enjoyed building these. As i have said on the Norfolk Southern Model Railroading page on Facebook, it almost seems like they are too easy. HAHA

Here is another photo of some progress i made today:

[NSMoWandS]

Nice! With an engine house in the background... you could make a little scene with the two units primered. It would be like the ones NS assembled and are waiting for the paint shop to paint them! Dan

[dschlegel]

Very cool! I think I agree that these are better looking GE's than the rest of the era. Great work!
Other Dan

[Ladderpipe]

thanks guys

[Ladderpipe]

The first -9 (to be #8853) is done and ready for the paint shop. I am very happy with how it has turned out so far.

[NSMoWandS]

Nice! Question... will you paint the whole thing black and come back and paint the A/C unit white... or is it not attached yet? Just curious how others build and paint things. Dan

[Ladderpipe]

Very valid question. This -9 will have a white unibrow since its going into the Horsehead scheme. The brow is painted and masked. The A/C unit is painted separately and applied after the loco gets it black body color. Since I don't like gluing painted surfaces together, I put little tabs under the A/C that will go thru holes drilled in the cab roof. This will allow me to glue the tabs from inside the cab

[NSMoWandS]

Thanks for the info... always smart to not glue things until the last possible step. Dan

[Ladderpipe]

Coming along

[NSMoWandS]

Coming along nicely! Dan

[Ladderpipe]

Some more progress on one of the two -9s

[dschlegel]

Wow, looking great!
Dan

[chipallen16]

That looks better than some of the real ones... great job!

-Chip 

[NSMoWandS]

Needs some rust, faded paint, soot, a big old scorch mark across the long hood to look like the ones I have seen! LOL! Seriously though... Great job! Dan

[thpbears]

It does look really nice.

[Ladderpipe]

Thanks fellas. This will remain slightly clean but # 2 will be in the older "looks like it went thru a sand blaster" scheme, following Badhorse's example. Here is an updated photo of a bit more work that has been done (handrails, window frames, MU cables/connections, etc. painted)

[Ladderpipe]

And I have a kinda neat lineup 3 here, basically showing the start, middle and finsihed -9. Im not entirely sure what I'm goin to do with the un-touched -9 but it will be taking a back seat for a while after the two C40-9s are done for other projects.

[Badhorse79]

Yeah man I'm jealous .... You did a hell of a job . Glad ya shared this cause you sure lit a fire for me  ;D

[Ladderpipe]

Almost Done.

[Badhorse79]

Now that's a TOPhat !!! Or to phat