Just this past summer I got back into model railroading after about 10 years absence. I have finally completed my first locomotive project since getting back into the hobby. I started with the P2K SD45 Milwaukee Road 4002. The number and paint scheme of the P2K model is mostly representative of how this unit would have appeared as delivered. The 4002 was renumbered to 8 by the Milwaukee Road in 1974 (nearest I can tell). She received her "billboard" paint job around December of 1975 (nearest I can tell from prototype photos). I changed the numbers. Added the details needed to faithfully represent a Milwaukee Road SD45. I tried to weather is according to the prototype photo. Not perfect, but I'm happy with it for my first project since coming back into the hobby.
I should have worked over the orange a lot more to fade it out. What do you think? Be honest, I can take it.
very good, I noticed on the fuel tank, they have the white rim around the cap or gage, other than that, look very good. I dreading all the weathering I have to do. I been modeling for about a year so most stock is new. I on my second layout (in one year), that been taking the time, did not help that I did nothing in summer. All the track is down, I started to ballast, so things are progressing well. :tb-biggrin::w20z6q::eh-goofy:
I wouldn't worry about bleaching out the orange. Instead, I'd bet more people will notice that weathering job- Nice! The handrail rust is quite a unique touch. Boxcab E50
Thanks guys! Good catch on the white ring around the gage. The prototype has it on the brakeman side while the model has it on the engineer side. Interesting detail. I can give it a quick ring of grungy white to add that detail. Boxcab, thanks for your kind words. I'm hoping you would consider it a passing grade for a representation of a 1979 Milwaukee Road SD45.
For the Class of 1968, she looks very good. The handrail rust, as Ken noted, looks fantastic. Very nicely executed!
Looking good! As others have mentioned, the handrail rust is a nice touch, along with the grime.:thumbs_up:
Hey thanks guys. I had a lot of fun doing this project. I learned a lot as well. Now to choose the next Milwaukee unit to do. I have several to choose from on the shelf. Plus the 2 more SD45s which are in progress. Hmm, finish the 2 SD45s or do the GP38-2s... I'm also going to get busy planning a photo diorama. Thinking of scratch building one of the Milwaukee depots as a back drop on the diorama. Hmm... so many projects so little time.
Hey Ken, I was thinking the same thing. But for fun, I put up a poll for fun to see what others think.
Please don't be disappointed if there is minimal response to your poll. Generally, there is not a large input. It would be good fun, if more members did chip in an opinion. Myself, I'd like to vote for a GP38-2. But it's been years since my last HO project- Which interestingly was an Athearn BB Milw GP38-2! I did mine as a first order, 1973 appearance unit. Pre-billboard, #352. Yikes! That was 20 years ago. These days, I am not sure what manufacturers unit would be a better starting point? The Athearn, at least back then, looked good to me. But as to running qualities, could have been much better. Hint- You can influence my vote! Boxcab E50
Ken, you can heavily sway my decission. I have both an Athearn BB and a P2K. I know what I need to do on the Athearn to chop the fuel tank. Not sure if I can chop the tank on the P2K. I'll have to tear it apart to see. I won't take a lack of response personally here on TB. This board is very much N & Z scale focused. The HO guys are not very active here. I just can't do the kind of modeling I enjoy in N scale. As attractive as the size is for layout purposes, it is a determent to my old eyes. Heck, I have to use a magnifying glass on HO for some things now! Sucks getting old...lol Until I figure out which unit will be next, I'm working on weathering a Walthers rib side BWC. It should keep me busy for a few days.
Well, Bob- You aren't alone. My eyes aren't doing me any favors these days. But since I've been N scaling for so long, just a couple of months shy of 37 years, it's hard to make a change. I've so many great friends in that scale as well. Not that there aren't fine folks everywhere.... With the space I have in this house, it's N, or switch to something whimsical. Such as On30... And I do have some of that accumulated! I'm trying to remember the frame on my GP38-2. But cannot picture it. As I never had a LL unit to dismantle, I sure don't have any input there. If it's a problem, going aftermarket could add up to a few dollars. Does anyone offer powered chassis or frames these days? There used to be some good ones available. We hope eventually to see the HO Forum take off. It is active. Available to anyone wishing for some exchanges. Maybe your topics will add momentum? It's possible! So, just keep on posting! Be sure to post of some pix of that BWC. Boxcab E50
That's some fine work on that '45. Just keep up the good work. There are enough HO modelers here to keep this board from going completely N or Z. What I don't see are many OPERATING railroads (and I don't mean round and round operation) no matter what scale.
Our Z Forum was small and barely active, until a couple of ambitious fellows stepped in and started booting it along. Now it's a steady, solid place to exchange ideas. We could use a few HO folks to do the same.... Wolfgang has been showing off his excellent HOn3 work there. And a couple of others do as well. There is some nice stuff to see. Boxcab E50
Thanks MOPMAN. I enjoy seeing what folks are doing no matter the scale. I am simply amazed by those who model N & Z scale. Especially some of the very fine work being done in both scales by TB members. Simply amazes me! Now, if I had a yard, I'd be building a G scale layout! :thumbs_down: I am happy to contribute to the community her with my HO modeling effort as I am sure there are folks, like me, who appreciate modeling efforts no matter the scale. cool: Like Ken says, a couple of us getting active and sharing in the HO forum may bring more activity. Who knows. For me, it's just fun to share what I'm doing with anyone who may be interested.
That's what this board is all about...exchanging ideas. I have built layouts and models in just about every scale over the years and found that one can transpose ideas and building methods from one scale to another. It's all model trains...some are just harder to see than others.
What do I think? I think you did a damn nice job. A coat of dullcoat and actually letting it sit in a sunny windowsill might take care of that bright orange for you. Some of my rolling stock that sat on a siding next to a sunny window got faded from it.
Like I have said before Bob, EXCELLENT work. One of the main reasons I don't post much here is because in the past I would put up something and it would go ignored or very little response. In fact the other day I asked a question on a post and never heard a thing about it. Guess I am done whining now!!
