I've seen a couple of projects on Diesel Detailer and I really liked the look of these unique Family Lines units with an early version of the modern widecab. These B23-7's are designated as BQ23-7 locomotives and their unique cabs were part of an early experiment in removing cabooses from trains, with the larger cab designed to hold an entire crew of five for any given route.
The only commercial plastic model of this locomotive is an old Bachmann from the early eighties, it's the usual quality for the period, with thick plastic handrails and really poor running qualities. Despite that they usually go for a good price on ebay - I've seen them go for more than $35 even without a box.
I've been keeping an eye out for one with the idea that I could mate it with the spare Atlas B23-7 shell I have in the parts box, and mount it on a Railpower chassis with Athearn EMD trucks to create a hybrid model.
It took a few months, but finally a mis-described example came up on ebay last week, so I was able to pick it up at a cheap enough price to be worthwhile.
The model is very basic, with a one piece body shell and very poorly applied paint and lettering, the ultra thick plastic handrails almost make the model look like an n-gauge locomotive.
The cab section will need a lot of work to make it fit an Atlas body including a width reduction of several millimeters, new glazing, new number-boards.
So, yet another project for the bench, but it was fun hunting for the locomotive, seems like there is a big demand for these so getting one for a tenner was a good deal.
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