RS3M - Part 1

 Conrail RS3m #9950 - Part 1

Here is a pretty neat project that I have been working on for the past 6 months I would say. This engine will not be a regular on the layout but will make appearances when I have a flashback era on the layout. It will come out with the F7's, SD9, and other older equipment. Anyways, the RS3m was rebuilt in 1972 under Penn Central and didn't receive the number 9950 until 1973. This locomotive is unique as it had it's short high hood removed and a large porch was added. 

The RS3m was used primarily as a switch engine and on local runs between yards along the Penn Central and then Conrail. 

The RS3m is my first locomotive scratch build and I will say that it is trying me in every way possible. I am learning new things along the way. The only issue I have ran into was that only one set of trucks will be able to have power to them as the front trucks will just "float" there for the time being. I'm hoping in the near future I can figure out how to get them to where they aren't floating. The above pictures is about 3 months into the build. 

The next step I took on was after changing out the shell was to remove the single exhaust stack and add two new one. I also added the rear fans and wasn't to sure that it was supposed to look like that but after looking at multiple photo's, everything is correct. The blue Conrail cab that is seen in these photo's has since been removed and replaced with a different cab that better suites the locomotive. This is at the 6 month mark for the locomotive. There is still plenty more for me to do with this locomotive.

This concludes Part 1 of this project. Part 2 will be coming in the next week or so.