What Do I Need?????

[JeremyB]

Hi Guys

I want to model the era 1980-1987, what engines would be pulling mainline trains and secondary too, also what freight cars would I be seeing??? any info would be great.

Jeremy

ps- If you have any other info to add that would be great,like operating practices and just anything to do with this era. I was born in 1981 so Im a little young to know what went on when I was 4 yrs old.
Thanks again

[Anonymous]

I think mainline engines would consist of SD40s and SD40-2s and maybe some GP60s and GP50s. Of course, it maters on which road you model.

[Anonymous]

In those days, I'd say lots of SD's, early GE "dash" locos, some old geeps and (if you'll have passenger service), F40PHs

[Anonymous]

Can you be specific on what RR you plan on modeling? Im sure you could get some better info if you gave us some choices LOL

[Anonymous]

The 1980s was a transistion for a lot of roads. Alot of Fist generation diesles were being sold off, as second generation diesles were being down graded by the arival of Thrid Generation diesles.

However On the BN, in the early 80s One still found F-units in service right along side SD40-s and SD45s

[JeremyB]

I would like the info on CN or CP

[Anonymous]

I"d say most second generation Diesels, with maybe a few exceptions, depending on which road you are modeling........................................................................Trackster

[Anonymous]

Well if you plan on doing the CN and the CP...for the 80s you are going to want SD50F and SD60F models (wide body draper taper versions of the SD50 and SD60). Dash8-40CMs (wide body draper taper versions of the Dash8). Standard SD40-2s (remember the CP Rail had over 500 SD40-2s at one point). SD40-2Ws (CNs wide cab SD40-2s). You can get most anything CP Rail from a hobbyshop and do some minimal changes and have it prototypical. But to do most of the CN stuff you are gonna have to work at it. TO get prototypical CN stuff visit www.kasloshops.com These are very high qulaity resin kits, i have several of them myself...but i WOULD NOT recommend these for beginners.

You are also going to want some MLW power M630 and M636s for the CP rail and C630Ms and M636s for the CN...as well as the Wide body (Post Bombardier buyout) HR616 locomotives...i have models of all of these but they are in Brass as you cannot get them in plastic or in a resin kit. However i speak regularly to John Gurdak the owner of Kaslo and he said they are in the works...as well as a complete kit of the GE Dash8-40CM.

Anything else you wanna know just ask.

[Anonymous]

well...i managed to leave out a whole bunch...i need to stop posting while im doing paperwork. LOL

On the 4-axle locomotive end...GP38-2s and 40-2s are common with both roads...but as with most CN Stuff...CNs GP 38 and 40-2s both had Wide Cabs on them.

C424s and M420s are common on the CN, and standard cab GP40s are as well. But remember one thing...there are a few locomotive models out there that were never produced in Canada...

there was never a Canadian SD45, SD45-2, SD18, SD24, SD38, GP50, or GP60. So just be careful on what you see at hobbyshops as some of these models were later introduced thru mergers and remanufactures...if you want to stay in the 80s neither the CN or the CP had any of the above models.