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Conrail C30-7A Tips by Bob Waller
Conrail took delivery of 50 C30-7A's (CR 6550-6599) between May and June 1984. When Conrail went back later that year for an additional 10 units, GE offered them the improved C32-8 instead. Thus Conrail became the only railroad in the world to own the C30-7A.The Atlas C30-7: A few years ago Atlas produced an excellent C30-7: crisp detailing, good paint, and smooth running. They offered it in several paint schemes, including Conrail's as-delivered standard scheme. But do not be misled. This is a standard Phase 1 C30-7, not a model of Conrail's unique C30-7A, which are Phase 3 units. (For a comparison of these two classes, check the C30-7A Background section.)
After comparing the model to the prototype, I've come to the conclusion that creating a C30-7A using the Atlas shell just isn't going to work. There are too many problems that cannot be overcome, even for the best kitbasher among us.
The Rail Power Products C30-7: Back in 1989, Rail Power Products released its second HO scale shell: the Phase 2 C30-7 (part #60-501). Like other RPP shells, this one is designed to fit over Athearn "C" mechanisms. Currently, this shell is the best path we have for getting a decent Conrail C30-7A. Below are some suggestions for achieving this, as well as some criticisms of the shell for those concerned with exact modeling.
First the basics, beginning at the front. The shell has the proper 2-window cab, though a thin-wall Hi-Tech Details 2-Window Cab (Early) can be used instead. The headlight plug on the short hood will need to be removed, filled with putty, then sanded smooth--a simple operation. The molded-on class lights on the short hood need to be sanded off and replaced with Overland's Marker Lamps (part #9315), which represent Conrail's FRA-approved "bug-eyes." The cast-on anticlimber is fair, but I suggest using Detail West's new C30-7 anticlimber.
Unfortunately, the electrical cabinet doors are poorly done and incorrect--the latches are the size of Hoolla-Hoops, while two panels lack the vents found on the prototype. Cabinet doors from RPP's newer B23-7 can be kitbashed onto the C30-7 shell, though it would be tricky and significantly raise the cost of the model. This is a compromise many of us will have to live with.
Working along the long hood, I noticed a number of problems with this shell's doors, a problem also found on the C32-8 shell. Unlike the RPP shell, the doors on the prototype C30-7A do not extend all the way to the walkway; instead, they stop a couple of inches short. There are also some slight discrepancies between the doors directly behind the cab on model and the prototype. More noticeable are the shell's use of standard C30-7 tall engine door arrangement compared to Conrail's C30-7A arrangement, as mentioned in the Background section above. These problems just can't be fixed, so another compromise must be made.
The rear intake vents on the model are also poorly done: poor detail and poor relief. If these could be replaced, they should be. No one currently make replacement parts for these vents, so we are stuck again.
Now for some good news--you knew there had to be some! The large 'silencer' exhaust stack, rear numberboards, rear marker lights, and extended-range dynamic brakes are all correct and acceptable on this shell and capture the prototype fairly well. The rear hood is a major C30-7A spotting feature, and I'm glad to see this shell captures it. Other standard detail parts need to be added, such as air hoses. Other molded-on parts can also be replaced as desired. This is just a basic guide, not a part-for-part modeling article, but I hope it helps you get started.
So while some compromises will have to be made, I feel the Rail Power Products C30-7 shell is well worth using. Hopefully, RPP will revise the tooling on this model in the near future, correcting the screens, vents, door heights, and battery boxes at least. Time will tell.
Decals: Standard scheme decals available are Microscale 87-157 & 87-628 CR Data or Champ EH-246. Quality scheme decals available are Microscale 87-614 & 87-628 CR Data. These will work for all units.
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