Hey guys, I am about to start on my latest project of building, painting, and super-detailing a Ex-Southern (AGS) Norfolk Southern High Hood SD40-2 and thought I would take some pictures along the way for you guys to check out. I am currently testing some decoder issues on another locomotive before I begin this project so I can know that all my lighting and sound needs will be properly met :shade:. The unit will feature directional LED lighting as well as working ditch lights on both ends, cab control stand lighting, step lights, and walkway lights! I plan on using NS 3209 as my prototype unit and detail it according to pictures I have of this unit. I'll take plenty of pictures and when finished I'll take a movie of the unit so y'all can check out the light effects and sound! I should have some pre-work pictures up within the next few days. Hope you guys enjoy!! Below are some pics of the engine I will be using as my prototype, Thanks to Bart Davis, R. Franz, and Roy Evans for taking these great pics! http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=142447 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=135785 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=135696
Sounds like and excellent project i look forward to seeing your progress. I am currently painting a MoPac SD40-2 but not to the extent of your project. There is a topic on my project here in the ho forum. Good luck with your project and i look forward to seeing your progress.
Welcome to TrainBoard Hornet! I'm also looking forward to your "How To" photos and comments on this project. Are you going to use fiber optic strands for the step lights? If so, they could also light up the number boards don't forget. (I don't think any one has tried that yet.) Gee, I was in your shoes 60 years ago. Where has the time gone? Enjoy your life all the way, it is the only one you have control over!
I look forward to seeing this unit, there is somthing cool about high hood big SD's, a friend of mine has done an ex NS SD45 in Guildford and that looks great. Is the short hood the front on the SD40-2's? Or are they duel controled as I am sure I have seen a few long hood forward. Also which make of loco are you using for this project? Athearn? Kato?
I'm pretty sure the Southern high-nose SD40-2s are all set up to run long-hood-forward (one set of controls only).. Not sure if that has changed with the NS merger though.
Im not quite sure if I am going to use fiber optics for the step lights and numberboards, I will probably just use tiny surfact mount LED's, By they way, for further reference, everything that lights up on a real SD40-2, will light up on my model . I am using a Kato early version SD40-2 with the older style radiator grilles prototypical of the real engine. Yes, my loco will be set up with a long-hood-forward control setup just like the real ones still are. Right now I have the loco, but still need to order all the parts I need, probably will cost me about $140 just for parts mg: . By the way, If you look at the first picture of the real 3209 I have posted above, you can actually see the control stand setup for long-hood-forward.
