Has anybody built any B30-7AB B units? Would love to hear the specifics! Photos? I thought at one time Gary Rose was talking about building one but I seem to have misplaced the URL for his page. Gary you out there? Thanks Another damn lurker The content of this message has been posted to another forum also.
<font color="336633">I have built one in HO scale........ I have seen the start of Gary's N scale ones and so far they look good, I cant wait to see them finished
Matt: Any chance of posting pics? I remember seeing those diesels rolling thru Afton back in the '80s. Any road with cabless GEs, GP38-2s, and SD40-2s can't be all bad!
Did finally locate Gary's model page but no new info on his B30-7AB B project. Any updates Gary? Anyone else building one. Cabless is cool! Thanks another damn lurker
I think this is a pic from one of Gary's visits when he showed Matt some of his conversions, including the B30-7AB
I have 2 B23-7HH engines now, and allI need are a few B30 shells to start! I would like a fleet of 3-4 of these BN-specific beauties.
Flash: Yep, that's one of two versions of the cabless B30-7s (the earlier version). And a nice-looking model, I might add.....
Friscobob: I took the picture at an open house; it's not my model. I also took a picture of some type of BN SD40 cabless. I presume that is not a twinkie? Or at least not one of the C30-7 versions.
Great shot! The B30-7A you captured is of the earlier phase, and the SD40 B unit you also shot is BN 7502, the one and only SD40-2B unit with relocated dynamic brakes! Great model, whoever built it!
I am interested in this conversion as well. I would like to request anyone that has prototype detail shots of grills, "cab area", "hump" on later units, pilots, etc. to please do so. The trainpix.com photos are very helpful, but none are "extreme close up" shots.
Hi guys, Yep, I'm here but on holiday in Australia currently. I have started two of these conversions but need to order more bodies to complete another four planned. The info I am usingis from various online sources and in the books available on the BN. I'll get back to this topic shortly when I have a better connection. Gary.
Flash: That's a "twinkie", if that's what BN fans call cabless B30s. I couldn't help but notice, in that pic of the cabless SD40, the Bombardier cars in the background, in TRE colors. Were these models you took pics of HO or N scale?
Frisco: The bombadier cars are at the passenger station. It is the N scale Belmont Shore Club open house last November.
Consider me impressed!!! VERY nice models- really shows the potential of N scale (as well as the skills of the person who built 'em)!
I must agree, both models are excellent! Not sure exactly where the term "twinkie" originated for the cabless B30's but I doubt it was from any of us BN fans, ha ha. The first time I remember hearing the term was from one of our club members who remarked that if they were painted in UP colors they would look like twinkies. Since I model the BN and it's root railroads I would like to see how Mr. Rose has chosen to duplicate one. As I mentioned in the "what if" thread,I would like to attempt to build a cabless U25B and paint it in either GN blue or Chinese red. It would make for a neat conversation piece spliced by a pair of Gp20's wearing BN and CB&Q paint. [ 29. December 2003, 20:06: Message edited by: needfulthingz ]
Well, model photos were posted- and I have pics of the two versions of the prototype. Here's the first version: And the second version: You can't see the trucks too well (sorry about that), but they are FB2 trucks. Both diesels were shot at the former Frisco diesel fuel racks at Cherokee Yard, Tulsa, OK on separate days in the late 1980s. They were used in all types of freight service (except coal trains), and even saw service in locals- I have a pic somewhere of a BN freight in the siding in Afton, OK with a GP38-2 (ex-Frisco) and a cabless Dash 7 waiting for a hotshot to roll by. I'm not sure what's in the box on the 4066, but my guess is the dynamic brakes. If and when I an find my Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide, I'll know for sure.
Back in Sep 2000 there were lots (im talking 50-ish) dotted around the old PRR shops at Altoona PA. I'll try & dig out & scan the pic I have later.
Bob, the box on top is the extended dynamic brakes as built in the second group (Ph 2?). Needfulthingz - I'm using HH B23-7's for my conversions. These are just about spot on for the first group (which I will refer to as Ph1a) and with a few extra grills added in front of the radiator intakes on the rebuilt Ph1a's (let's call them Ph1b). The B30-7 body may be better for doing the Ph1b but you will need to remove some of the lower grills if memory serves me correctly. Either add (B23-7) or remove (B30-7) - choose your poison! The Ph2 is another story with the twin radiator grills each side which I think is unique to these units. That looks to be the work of some etchings. Also the extended DB box will need to be an add-on. I am in the process of creating the master for this part. Anyone with a good overhead shot of the DB box? A question where the cab would have been. There is an access door on the right side of this area. The though crossed my mind to create an etched overlay with that detail included, or just the access door itself. Thoughts?
