All ten C32-8 "Camel" locos that were ever built were eventually painted in the Conrail "Ballast Express" gray paint scheme. They were, for most of their CR time, assigned to the Boston & Albany line while in blue paint, tho' they did wander around the system from time to time.Conrail Blue in Springfield, MA:http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3328637
The Ballast Express was an idea CR had in the mid-1990's where they'd take these older (and unique) locos and put them in a special service where they'd haul unit trains of ballast all over the CR system. They painted them all gray with a black can opener logo and "Ballast Express" put under the cab windows. The idea didn't last very long and the engines were quickly dropped into the regular loco assignment pool.
Ballast Express on an actual ballast train:http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3204205
Ballast Express (much cleaner shot):http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=155821
Around these parts, the C32-8 engines had the nickname of "Camels" due to the pronounced "hump" right behind the cab. Remember they were the first Dash 8's, and folks were used to seeing the U-boats and Dash 7 bodies with their smooth roof lines.
A very similar looking model is the C39-8, which ScaleTrains has announced this year. The major difference is that the C39-8 has a V-16 diesel while the C32-8 has a V-12, meaning the C39-8 is longer and has 8 engine room doors while the C32-8 is shorter and has only 6 engine room doors.
https://scaletrains.com/collections/rivet-counter-ho-scale-ge-c39-8/products/rivet-counter-ho-scale-ge-c39-8-conrail
riogrande5761 Where does the name come from? Is it a train set meant to represent a maintencne of way ballest train? You know, hauling ballest?
Where does the name come from? Is it a train set meant to represent a maintencne of way ballest train? You know, hauling ballest?
Exactly. See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tgmmfz6DhQ
And I suppose calling it the Ballast Express was better than calling it "the gray train with all the gray ballast cars".
dti406 Along with trying to find the Rail Power Shell, you could also try to find the Overland Models Power Chassis for the C32-8, it has the correct frame, truck centers and sideframes. Rick Jesionowski
Along with trying to find the Rail Power Shell, you could also try to find the Overland Models Power Chassis for the C32-8, it has the correct frame, truck centers and sideframes.
Rick Jesionowski
If I remember correctly Overland actually imported a brass C32dash8 model. Good luck finding one.
Edit: Here we go: https://www.google.com/search?q=overland+models+conrail+C32-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=kLi9fYELP5CSXM%253A%252C43c3OqptaS8WDM%252C_&usg=__sEV09wA9274ph5y7sArAAwN76hI%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjxo7zu-PnbAhVm4YMKHRI3Dg4Q9QEILTAC#imgrc=kLi9fYELP5CSXM:
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Sorry it is what I have know it to be called ..
Saw the topic title and was wondering, where does "ballast" come into it? Just asking.
Thanks, I get it ..
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
If you are speaking of the C32dash8, in my opinion there is not an available RTR substitute. RailPowerProducts made a C32dash8 shell that was made to fit the Athearn SD40-2 frame. I think it can be made to fit the Atlas C30dash7 frame, which would give you the proper frame length and truck center to cemter distance. The Atlas units came with two different style trucks depending on the prototype, GSC and Adirondack. For the Conrail C32 you would need the Adirondack.
Or you can just assume that the C32's were out of service and pull the ballast cars with a couple creaky old U23Bs.
I know the engine is an odd ball no one makes one. Which of the dash series looks close enough to that engine to pass I am not a perfectionist just as long as looks right
Thsnks