Penn Central C630 #6324 Project

Greetings All,

Another Big ALco has joined the fleet!!

Part 2 of a 3 part big ALco series

This latest project started on November 11, 2018 when fellow modeler and blogger John Bruce sent me a 'Project Box' that consisted of among other things a treasure trove of locomotive shells like the PC 5699 and PC 5870 to name a few. The shell I was most interested in was this Penn Central C-630 photographed below on John's layout before he sent it off to me.

John built the shell from a TYCO high Hood C630 and a low hood C430. Like the other shells he sent me he put a lot of work into the project adding wire grab irons, uncoupling levers, handrails, mu hoses, body mounted Kadee couplers and a prototypical paint job. Note this very impressive C630 shell is around 40 years old and is testament to John's modeling skills. The C630 was intended to ride on a modified LifeLike C628 chassis. 

Enter 1:1 Sir Neal who was consulted for help in locating a suitable LifeLike chassis. Within a short period of time Sir Neal sent me several boxes of possible chassis donors. In the second box was a high hood TYCO C628 that after a lot of cutting and nibbling I was able to use parts from that engine and parts from the third box of TYCO engines to get the C630 into the fleet.

Here's the C630 with the TYCO trucks and fuel tank in place. I'm trying to line up the body mounted couplers with the Kadee Height gauge. I swapped out the original body mounted Kadee #5s that John installed for a pair of  #27s to get the shell to sit lower on the TYCO truck assemblies.

PC C630 #6324 is on its maiden voyage as the number 3 engine in this four unit ALco consist. 

The non powered 6324 is holding its own with the three powered units. The ALco Century 630 was introduced in 1965 and was easily distinguishable from the C628 by the large aftercooler bulge on the long hood. The Pennsylvania RR bought fifteen units, 6315-6329 which retained their PRR numbers after the merger 

As testing continued I placed the 6324 in the lead position and it worked there with no issues. Here it is meeting 1/87th scale John Bruce for the first time.

1/87th scale John B rides the C630 front porch thru Bedford. The C630s had a varied career on the PC. They could be found anywhere from Weehawken to Baltimore leading manifest freight trains, to helper service on Horseshoe Curve, to Mingo Jct mineral and ore service where they closed out their PC days.

The 6324 and John B pose for photos in front of the Hostess Plant. Although I wasn't able to power this unit I am really happy to have it rolling freely and to be able to put it in a consist with any

of the DC engines in my fleet. 

The big C630 at rest awaiting its next assignment as the guys gather for a closer look. 

That next assignment will be posted shortly!

Thanks go to John B for this shell and the many other things he sent me. I'd like to also thank 1:1 Sir Neal who came up with the parts to get the C630 rolling and the many items he has sent for this project and a lot of others. Thanks Guys!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

See Ya Soon!!!