One recent arrival was this model, a CSX GE Dash 8-40C, scratch built by Pierre Bourassa. For American OO this model is a real rarity as it is a model of a very modern engine!

The prototypes of this model were built 1987-92. Pierre was Canadian but I think got inspired to build this big, contemporary CSX model as he wintered in that time frame in Florida. The note on the bottom of the model dates completion of the model to April of 1991; he would have been 74 then.

The simple overview is he built it from sheet plastic, some metal shapes, and used Athearn HO drive components. He captured the look of the prototype pretty effectively and I would say the one element that these photos does not convey is the size of the model. It is full scale for American OO, it is not a big HO model “passing” for OO in any way.

When it came to me (via eBay) there were two pieces missing off the body (on the side visible in these photos), one of the doors and also the visor for the cab window. I replicated those and repainted them a closely matching color — but glossy — hoping that they pass for freshly repaired areas (which they are). Also the truck sideframes needed a bit of attention, being pieced together as they are from smaller HO sideframes. The bigger problems were under the hood.

In short I don’t think it had ever run well. Pierre was thinking big on one element, as he used I think PA-1 trucks (with a longer wheelbase than their other 6 wheel Diesels) and certainly added larger wheelsets, which help the look of the model a lot. And it did run, but it seemed to be shorting intermittently– it ran badly. I think Pierre or the subsequent owner had tried to trouble shoot this issue without luck, as there was electrical tape several places but places that would not help the situation.

It runs now! He had only set it up to pick up power from 6 wheels. I added the jumpers to bring that number up to 12 wheel pick up and also cleaned and checked the trucks and wiring. It is not quite 100%, something still causes an occasional hitch and it runs around my loop better in one direction. I will keep working on this element. I believe it is mechanical, related to my curve radius being right at the minimum this model will take; I am hoping with more breaking in this clears up.

The look under the hood in this final photo shows the overall setup. It has a can motor and flywheels. Pierre had added a lot of weight to the model and it was off center, the model was rear heavy. Plus the weights were cramping the wiring. I took out part of the weight, leaving more space and a more balanced model. It is still plenty heavy to pull anything I have put behind it.

A note on the paint scheme. It seems Pierre was trying to do a version of the original CSX “grey ghost” paint scheme, but changed things up a bit with the blue frame and the yellow stripe. I am not sure it is prototypical, but the engine still looks pretty effective and will always be a one-of foreign road engine when I run it.

The car seen with it in the photos is a Railbox car built by Bill Johann. I am enjoying this modern engine pulling modern cars! I have two modern SD-something models underway, and seeing this engine run should propel me getting those finished in the coming months.