While at a train show earlier today, I was browsing around some of the brass pieces and came across a new in the box Overland Models C30-7, and it was at a price that I figured to be pretty decent, so I picked it up! I've wanted to get a model from OMI for a long time now, but even the broken ones have always been above what I want to pay, so I couldn't resist.
This may be an older one from them (early-mid 80's I think), but I have to say that I'm really impressed with it! Unlike other brass pieces I've gotten, this one is made in screwed together sections that make it much easier to disassemble for detailed custom painting. Details are fine and plenty with optional detail parts included to represent all different prototypes (snowplow, exhaust stack options, user placeable horn, truck chain, etc.) and a fully detailed cab. The old fuel tank drive is a bit noisy, but it runs nice and smooth with all equalizing axles and a Sagami motor. It's all bare brass for now, but I may have to give it the ATSF treatment eventually!
I know later runs of the C30-7 had a lot of improvements to detail and the chassis, but this is still an impressive model! I just need to tune it up and fix a defective solder joint and it'll be track ready.
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Hi Darth,
I hope you will make a video or two of your work on the locomotive. Sounds interesting!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Alright, the solder joint is fixed (defect was front and back halves of the main body didn't meet fully in the factory reflow oven, so there was a big gap), so here's a photo!
After looking through prototype photos, it appears that this one represents the 2440+ (or around there) numbering for Union Pacific, so I'll be going that way instead of ATSF to keep it correct. The bare brass does look nice, but the soldering quality is a little more messy than later on when they really got the hang of making these perfectly, so I think it'll look best with a good quality paint job. When I get to that, I'll be sure to put together a video about it!
I'll probably have to get one of the more modern OMI models eventually, but for now, I'm happy with the one I've got here.
Darth Santa FeI think it'll look best with a good quality paint job. When I get to that, I'll be sure to put together a video about it!
Good looking model, and I am looking forward to the video.
-Kevin
Living the dream.