Motive Power for a 1990'a regional railroad

MBG&C Locomotives

 

Generally, I prefer Atlas 4-axle locomotives for an operating model railroad.  They are smooth running and tolerate a reasonable amount of handling.  While earlier versions lack some of the detail included on later versions, I find all but the earliest versions made in Austria acceptable. And, I can install a sound decoder and current keeper in most versions in less than an hour.

 

#5353

 

When it comes to regional or short line railroads, most locomotives have a back story.  That's certainly the case with Madisonville, Bowling Green & Chattanooga #5353.  The last Chesapeake & Ohio U30B's were #8225-8234 delivered in 1974.  These units were similar to previous U30Bs ordered by the C&O but the final 10 came with GE's floating bolster truck.  They later became CSX #5353-5362.  By 1990, the ex C&O U30B's were at the end of their useful lives as far as the CSX was concerned and they were retired and most were sold to other railroads, locomotive resellers, or for scrap but not the #5353.  It was leased to the power hungry MBG&C during the spring of 1989 and now, several years later, still soldiers on long after many of it's contemporaries have gone to scrap.

MBG&C #5353 in a Atlas model factory decorated for CSX.  The trucks and fuel tank were painted flat black and MBG&C sub-lettering was added under the cab number.  A new 5-Chime horn was moved to the front of the cab along with a firecracker antenna.  Mig panel line wash was used to bring out detail.  It was weathered using photographs of actual CSX U-30B's.  It is equipped with a Tsunami2 sound decoder, TCS KA1 Current Keeper and Kadee #58 Scale Couplers

 

#3243

 

Madisonville, Bowling Green & Chattanooga #3243 is another CSX cast off.  Originally it was one of 90 U-23B's built between 1973 and 1975 for the L&N.  #3243 was sold to the MBG&C in 1989.

MBG&C #3243 is another Atlas model factory decorated for CSX.  The CSX lettering was removed and the paint was faded using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.  Mig panel line wash was used to bring out the detail.  The trucks and fuel tank were painted black.  A new snowplow, 5 chime horn, firecracker antenna and air conditioning were added.  Again, the model was weathered using prototype photographs.  Older  GE's tended to leak oil and this is reflected on the lower car body and side sills.  It is equipped with a Tsunami2 sound decoder, a TCS KA1 Current Keeper and Kadee #58 Scale Couplers.