Here's a blast from the past: U18B's !! I thought I'd post a couple of pics for those of you who never saw them,,,,,, SCL & MEC bought 'em, but I don't remember offhand if anyone else did Those of you who are N Scale Modelers may have seen an article in N Scale Magazine showing Ron Bearden's modeling of SCL U18B's ..... Enjoy! Harold
Pat, I have to say I don't think they did either! I do know they did have them (I think they were U18B's anyway). Painted in early CSX paint.....
Some U18's actually made it far enough to be repainted in the YN2 (Bright Future) paint scheme before being retired; a few were repainted in the "Great Pumpkin" orange scheme for MOW service (renumbered 9500 ~ 9508. Some still work in their orange color on the Pickens short line Harold
Harold, I thought they had some in the CSX "Pumpkin" paint, an I thought they had them too in CSX "Bright Future" too, but I was getting them confused with the U23B.... I just wasn't sure....
CSX has B23's in the Bright Future too...I think even one of the BQ23-7's made it into that scheme too! Harold
Harold, Yes CSX had one or even 2 BQ23-7's to make it to the Bright Future paint! Then they were "sluged" with the cab windows blanked out with panels....As I know the B23-7's got to the Bright Future paint as well.... I'd love to get my hands on a HO scale Bachmann BQ23-7 to paint CSX! (I like the odd stuff, but then thats me, he he he he
John, Good point! I had forgotten about the stupid "let's blank out the cab windows and make them B units program"! Just for you, a link to one of my BQ photos: From what I remember, this was taken when I chased a train off I-95 and caught it from an overpass..... not bad, huh? A YN2! Harold
NICE Harold! I want to model one of those in HO scale however, the only one ever made was by Bachmann, old stuff, no flywheels etc... but can be made to run decently, just won't pull like the newer diesels will.... BUT, they ran them as seen with other engines so. the loss of power can be made up for, an still have the looks etc.... BUT I think the Bachmann "Plus" B23-7 (in HO), with the cab removed, an the BQ cab put in place of, would work, to make it a better running loco! Its a matter of finding the parts needed to do so.... Still tho, nioce shot... on the run even an its clear...
i don't know for sure, bnut don't the B23-7 and B30-7 have the same body, just different HP ratings? The HO scale B30's that I had were probably the best I ever owned, I just wish I kept them when I unsuccesfully tried my hand at N scale.
Pat, There is a definite difference between the bodies of the B23-7 and the B30-7. The B23 has 6 engine compartment doors, it has a 12 cylinder engine, whereas the standard B30 has 8 engine doors, it has a 16 cylinder motor. Hope this helps, Dan
Dan, I'm glad you picked up on that one! I wasn't to sure of a difference or not, being I never really got into diesels (I still got plenty to learn) But I'm a big steam fanatic so.... But this all helps with learning diesels! So.. But I do know the BQ23-7 is just a B23-7 with the different cab... Anyone know if Athearn makes a B23-7? Be the way to make a good running BQ23-7, with the Bachmann cab, mounted to the body shell.... Would make for a good running loco, even with the Athearn "famous" growl!
With Athearns purchase of Rail Power Products (RPP), they aquired a B23-7 shell. So it is proably just a matter of time before they bring out a RTR B23-7.
