New life for an old model Detailing a Life-Like Proto 2000 E8 for the Illinois Central/Michael Ferris


MODEL PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR; LAYOUT COURTESY OF BOB PERRIN M


any times we see advertise- ments for items listed as “new and improved” and instantly


say, “I’ve got to have it!” In the model


railroad industry, the same holds true. Manufacturers over the last 15-20 years have really stepped things up as far as re-tooling old models and intro-


ducing new ones. The level of detail and fine tooling go far beyond what col- lectors and modelers dreamed of years ago. While it gives most of us a little less to do on a car or locomotive, it also means we have more time to enjoy the models and work on our layouts. For me, one of the biggest turning points of this modeling revolution was when Life-Like released their Proto 2000 E8-E9 locomotive in the early 1990’s. From the start we got see- through grilles, opening doors, moving journals, working diaphragms, and in some cases the option of different pi- lots. There was also a smooth-running drive with enough weight to pull just about any-size train of brass or plastic cars. At the time it seemed that things could not get any better. Now, almost 20 years later, these models have been replaced by “new and improved” ver-


Two of the changes made by the author to improve the look of these older Life-Like Proto 2000 E8A and B-units were lowering the chassis on the trucks and replacing the standard couplers for closer coupling.


RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN 51


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