Lehigh & New England Fantasy (Locomotive)

[TomPM]

In my little model railroad world the Lehigh & New England Railroad did not go out of business in 1962. It became part of the Ridley Keystone & Mountain Railroad Companies. The prototype LNE only had ALCO FA1, FB1, RS-2, and S-2 diesels.

One thing I always wanted to do was modernize the LNE fleet some. So I came across the idea of doing a fantasy scheme for a later diesel model.

Keeping with the theme that the LNE would not have a large fleet I felt this would be easy. Since the LNE was all ALCO I figured that their original ALCOs would be replaced by other ALCOs such as Century models and when ALCO went out of business that LNE would go with ALCO’s “successor”, GE. Therefore I was able to locate an undecorated Atlas U23B for my project.

 

[TomPM]

First I disassembled the shell and removed it form the frame for painting.

 

[TomPM]

I airbrushed the shell with Folk Art Licorice. I then sealed it will Glosscoat.

 

[TomPM]

Then I began decaling the locomotive as seen in this progress shot.

 

[TomPM]

The decals are used were from Microscale. They are the Lehigh & New England Diesels set. After applying the decals I sealed it with Glosscoat. Once the gloss coat was dry I hit with Dullcoat. I reassembled the locomotive. Next I installed the grabirons and handrails.

In the next set of pictures the windows are still masked because I will be weathering the locomotive. Also I need to install the couplers.

 

[TomPM]

And a couple more shots.

 

[Ralph]

Nice scheme! I like it! Very neat paint work too!
Ralph

 

[NYC-BKO]

Kewl!!

Very nice, Tom-:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Excellent work Tom!
Nothing like a "fantasy" paint theme.

 

[brakie]

Tom,Great looking locomotive.. :thumb:

 

[Chessie6459]

Very Cool Addition to the Roster Tom :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Matthyro]

Good paint job Tom. That sure looks like a heavy hauler.

 

[TomPM]

Thanks everyone!

So now it time to weather the LNE U23B.

Start out with the unweathered version.

 

[TomPM]

First I gave the locomotive an overspray of Folk Art Licorice (1 part paint: 1 part blue windshield washer fluid) with the airbrush. I apply the paint from a distance to get a light touch. This deadens the bright white and lettering.

 

[TomPM]

Next I hit it with an overspray of Folk Art Charcoal Black (1 part paint: 1 part blue windshield washer fluid) with the airbrush. I concentrate the paint on the trucks and lower portion of the locomotive.

 

[TomPM]

Lastly I apply a spray of Folk Art Raw Sienna (1 part paint: 1 part blue windshield washer fluid) with the airbrush. For this application I only do the trucks and lower portion of the locomotive. I actually spray the paint into the paper that I have covering the surface that the locomotive sits on. This way the paint bounces up on to the locomotive.

 

[TomPM]

I used Walthers Magic Masker to cover the windows prior to beginning the painting.

I had some difficulty getting the masking off. This was the first time I had ever used it. Once I was able to grasp a little bit of it, it was easy to pull off. I did have some touch ups to do around the windows.

Here it with the windows unmasked.

 

[Chessie6459]

Glad to see the U-Boat all weathered and ready to operate. Great Job :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Ralph]

Oh yeah!!!!! That U boat looks like its done some work now! Nice Tom!
Ralph

 

[TomPM]

Thanks everyone for the compliments!

Leigh & New England U23B number 866 is about to get a partner.

Another undecorated U23B has emerged from the paint shop and is currently being decaled. One side of the locomotive has been completed and the second side should be done shortly.

Pictures coming!