CR 6083 Close-Up
 
General Electric U25C phase III, Conrail (CR 6083).  This was an extensive kitbashing project, but most of the work was done prior to my acquisition of the model.  This unit was originally kitbashed as a Phase I U25C by Ron Bearden, and featured in the March/April and May/June 1991 issues of N-Scale magazine as an L&N ex-Oro Dam unit.  I purchased the unit from Ron in 1992, and received his blessing to kitbash it even further into a Phase III.  I purchased extra components from Atlas Model R.R. Co. and fine screen from the hobby store before proceeding.  I started by fashioning a new fuel tank without the air reservoirs.  I stripped the body, added the screens on either side behind the cab and the vent in the roof, simulating the new location of the air tanks.  The air horns and brakewheel were relocated.  Next was a Pennsy-style signal box, and additional pilot and steps material to raise the height a couple of scale feet.  Finally, the unit was painted and decorated for Conrail.  The mechanism is a stretched Atlas RS1 chassis riding on RSD trucks, as crafted by Ron for the original kitbash.  I usually pair this unit with a Kato U30C painted in Conrail.