Southern E8 model engines

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Southern Railway : One Thread

Is there any model mfg. or outlet where Southern E8 models for ho are still available to buy? Thanks, Drew Rutherford

-- drew rutherford (orangebowl@webtv.net), June 07, 2002

Answers

Jim--actually the paint scheme of the currently avaialble LL E8s is not correct for the Southern Crescent units of the post 1972 era-- here's why. The locos you have are green and imitation with yellow (dulux gold) pinstripes between them and yellow lettering and a large circular medallion on the nose dooor. The Southern Crescent units had metallic gold lettering and stripes and the smaller "wheel on a rail" medallion. In addition, the air intake grilles on the early units was replaced on most with Farr grille and dunamic brakes were added. So basicaly to make it correct you'de ned to strip and repaint the model

However, I do have good news. I just finished providing LifeLike with al the information they need to produce a pair of Southern Crescent E8s in the next release this summer. So sell that one and hold onto the buks until the new batch arrive--Larry

-- Larry Puckett (ljpuckett@comcast.net), January 28, 2003.


Frank--that is true and accordingly I recommended they release 6904 with the old grille and 6907 with the Farr grille just to make the consists more interesting. These models will not have the roof mounted air reservoirs or other details but I will do an article in Model Railroading magazine that shows how to add all those--Larry

-- Larry Puckett (ljpuckett@comcast.net), January 29, 2003.

Folks, I should ahve posted this earlier. I contacted LifeLike as soon as the demo pair arrived on my doorstep. They screwed up totally on this one and that's all there is to it. They had the correct information and photos and it all went to China with metallic gold indicated for the lettering, numerals, and stripes. Unfortunately the Chinese just decided to use what they had been using and when the test shot arrived back in Baltimore for approval the guy who signed off on it was not the one who did the research, so it wasn't caught. As soon as I get time I'm going to try to fix my pair using Microscale decals over the incorrect yellow. LifeLike does not intend to fix the problem. There is one bright side--they look just like the E8 at the NCTM in Spencer, NC.

The other bright spot is that the RS2's came out perfect! They look great, run great, and since they are in the Proto 1000 series are inexpensive. Also, for a first, LL didn't cast the grabs onto the ends of the hood. Instead they cast on NBWs and little dimples as drill guides for installing your own grabs. Have at them guys--Larry

-- Larry Puckett (ljpuckett@comcast.net), August 18, 2003.


Watch eBay auctions regularly. Go to eBay/Hobbies and Crafts/Model Trains/HO Scale. If you're into N scale, I would assume some are available in that scale as well. All four LifeLike Proto 2000 HO E8s in Southern (two green and two black) are available nearly every week for very reasonable prices. Most are new in the box. You may also find some at some of the hobby store or hobby distributor websites or, if you travel at all, at hobby stores in other cities.

-- Fred Williams (fdwms@msn.com), June 19, 2002.

I was able today to get a Proto2000 Southern E8 on eBay for $40.09 + $7 shipping. Brand new in the box. I don't like the placement of the road number, though. I want to modify mine into a Crescent engine and that number is located under the cab window and the same size as the Southern lettering rather than smaller number located directly under the Southern name that's on the model. The paint scheme and the details are correct, though.

-- Jim Mangum (jmangum@carolina.rr.com), January 27, 2003.


Larry, that is good news about the E8s. I'll be surprised if the include the roof-top air tanks - we'll see.

About the Farr grills, though. At least 2, including 6901 at the SE Railway Museum, and 6904 kept their horizontal fabricated grills.

-- Frank Greene (fgreen01@midsouth.rr.com), January 28, 2003.


Drew (and others interested in these Southern Crescent E-8's)

I've just seen both of the latest units from Life Like, and they used exactly the same dulux (yellow) striping and lettering that they used in the very earliest Southern E-8's, and not the metallic gold that SR used when they repainted their black units for this train. They did, however, use the earlier and later grilles as recommended. That is a nice touch. And the wheel-on-a-rail nose herald looks great, too. The lettering size and placement, as well as the train name, are in keeping with photos of these units. Maybe I'm missing someting here, its's very hard to believe that Life Like missed on this one.

-- Ray Brown (bbrown21@columbus.rr.com), August 18, 2003.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ