[SD45T-2]

"I wanted to hear them sing again, I wanted them to sing their lovely song..."



It feels wrong to get misty eyed over these units, but they seem to have a charm all their own. (I wish I could find or get someone to make a more melodic M5.)

Putting a pair of M5s on DMMC 4001 and 4000 was the best thing I did. They can sing a song no other Dash 9 can sing.

[bwyrick]

A Feather River & Salt Lake stack train heads east after meeting a train at Virgilia siding.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/52369157_2386080108109439_6223014527907135488_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=0760169b957937ee23cef70d81d61bf6&oe=5CF446AB

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/51882823_2386080131442770_8339129049037144064_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=46ef8db155bb887190b0ca1515064b27&oe=5CB317E8

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/51984821_2386080158109434_135427680416825344_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=28afd5c6ae2d6b98985f3ca292f43261&oe=5CEF5ECF

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/52057067_2386080304776086_5313184616020967424_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=e8cd7dd68677d8e84481516af34be911&oe=5CF8931C

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/51661677_2386080388109411_1977949447602044928_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=da540da3ee964c1a0b87717e20230a6f&oe=5D0021A5

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[SD45T-2]

Well, this thread has died, and there hasn't been a cab unit for a very long time.





So, I present an in progress shot of DMMC 000 (Number to be determined). I managed to find two orphan (and then scrapped) C&NW executive units that'll form the primary set of DMMCs executive power, a F7 AB set. Once again, wearing fresh stagecoach yellow and apple green.

The backup power will be a C&NW GP7 from the Passenger fleet, painted in the as-built scheme with "Route of the 400" on its side.

[captain_bazza]

Mod: I had a look at the above post in "Edit" mode and there is no sign of the rogue attachments script at the end of your post!

Conclusions: Ghost Train?!!! Ghost in the machine?!!! STUMPED.

Cheers Bazza.

[SD45T-2]

Bazza,

No offense sir, but I was looking for Dave Nelson there.

[captain_bazza]

Okay, he will turn up.

Cheers Bazza.

[SD45T-2]

Okay, thank you Bazza and Dave for cleaning my post.

And now, some history.

DMMC 410 and DMMC 411 began life as CNW 4100A, and CGW 411B, respectively. The last numbers they wore before retirement were CNW 400 and CNW 411,

When they were bought, they were in sad, sad shape, but they had potential to be reborn again. Parts were acquired from varied sources to restore them to operational status. While they still have 567 powerplants, their electrical systems were upgraded to Dash 2 specifications, and 645 power assemblies were installed onto the 567s.

Today, the two units bounce around the system, not only with the short executive train, but also get thrown on various freight assignments, mostly short intermodal trains. These and the ex-CNW passenger GP are the only units who have a short cycle time between washes.

And I apologize to Brody and Dustin for the following:

https://www.trainsim...hrowback-anyone

[Mipman25]

See, I told you the DM&MC needed some F-units! I would suggest one more A unit so the F7 set can change direction without needing a turntable or a wye. One of the C&NW 400s (ex-4084C) was retired in 1985 and currently sits in a deadline in Illinois, and I think that would make a perfect DM&MC 408. I'd love to see the DM&MC's executive fleet some time.

Brody showed me those Dash-9s over a PM. He did a really great job, although I feel everything below the running boards could be a bit lighter.

[SD45T-2]

Dustin,

If I recall correctly, I originally stated that one of the former CNW executive units would be in the roster. I just shuffled the heritage around a bit. http://www.elvastower.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/derisive.gif

And here's test shot one. Subject to opinions and fine tuning. Also needs a FA to add parts and re-position that F on the front.



Edit - There's one construction detail I'd like to get your opinions on. To reduce rust ingress typical with the plymetal sides, instead of replacing the panels, the railroad instead decided to replace the sides with giant sheets of sheet steel. The frames that contained the plymetal panels were replicated and welded onto the new sheets. The fastening points are in line with the original plymetal frame.

Thus, the appearance has been maintained, but rust ingress is much reduced, and the panels don't have to replaced. The sides come off in one operation with the help of a crane.

By no means is this an original idea. "GN 441" at the Issac Walton Inn had the sides rebuilt in a similar fashion.

[Mipman25]

The DMMC livery was made for a F-unit! Not a surprise, as it's just C&NW paint with a Loewy wave used on many cab unit paint jobs. Do the cars keep the silver stripe, or is it just on the engines? I really like the sheet steel idea. I'm not an expert on it, but the way you worded it makes it sound much more convenient than just restoring the plymetal frame and putting in extra effort to maintain it.