Mitch: I had forgotten about the NJI/CB kits. I had heard about them but never saw one. I had my I8 in pieces to paint it, but not as many pieces as you had. The engine looks pretty good, but it shorts out on some curves and doesn't run nearly as well as my diesels. If only BLI would make a RDG 2-8-0 (esp I8 or 9).

Rob: Thanks for your kind words. I really like what you're doing with the East Penn. the picture you remember was taken for the 2008 photo contest. It featured my kit-built Mantua Goat with the Gem caboose sitting in front of Moyers station. Tom sent me a framed copy as the prize. I may have the original on my old computer.

VERY nice work Robin!!

Thanks, Barry!

Robin...very beautiful and nicely done.To me,its a great representation of some of the scenes in the JPM RDG dvd.I'm hoping there will be more scenes of the coal region branches when they release the second volume.Enjoyed your presentation.

Finished 3618 yesterday.Looking at the pictures I'll have to add a little more weathering...I hate when I rush.
Anyway,18 has a few spotting features that sets it apart from the other GP30 units.I've researched all the 30's and 18 is the only unit I found with these features.I used two photos,a photo from the Kim Piersol collection dated 4/1/73 and one from Bob Gottshchall's collection dated 8/1/74.Here are my results.
The left side of the unit.

What stands out is the configuration and painting of the screen work behind the cab.I couldn't find an after market product to use so all I did was notch out the molded on center rib and used strip styrene for the vertical runners.I left the molded center rib because I didn't want to risk damaging the molded screen work.
Close up.

The other noticeable difference on 18 is the absents of the RDG class and HP rating below the cab herald as illustrated below.


The right side of the unit.

Again the grill work behind the cab has the vertical runners and its the only 30 I found with the entire grill painted green,on the other 30's the lower half was painted yellow.Close up.

The missing RDG class and HP stenciling on the right side.

And the last thing that caught my eye on this unit was the mounting of the horn on the right side of the cab roof.The smaller bell was mounted facing forward.Close up.

Some more views of the 18.I had some problems applying the nose decal with this unit and I didn't have another to replace it.I was able to salvage the nose decal but it resulted in applying it too low on the nose.Might fix later or just live with it.





18 teamed with 12.



Approaching 13 and 11



Over head of all four units.