Hey Dudes, I'm building a pair of BNSF units: an SD40-2 and a C44-9W, and I've just uploaded the first part of the video log: [video=youtube;NNvOhNdMO1U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNvOhNdMO1U[/video] Feedback and comments appreciated.... Thanks for looking!
You should've asked around,,,,,,, I've got a pile of those undec. snoot noses I'd trade for regular ones. I'm replacing mine for regular-length ones because I need a mid production without the stupid ditch lights and anti-climbers, as I model early CSX. Trevor D.
Yup, that didn't occur to me.... If you're interested in selling a few please let me know. I've sent you a PM.
The snoot-nose Katos don't come with the nose light either. But one could cut the front of the nose off the mid-production to get that.
How interchangeable are the short hood/long hood assemblies between the current early and mid-production units? My understanding is that the chassis is slightly different (different trucks plus provision for ditch lights) where I wouldn't want to assume that the 88" nose and long hood from the mid production unit can be put on the walkway and handrails on the early production unit without any modifications. Even on units that share drive components (e.g. Atlas GP38-2 and GP40-2), I have found changes in shells tooled at different times like Kato's early SD40-2 and mid-production SD40-2 where some modifications are required to swap parts that most would assume were interchangeable. For example, the ECAFB on the Atlas GP40-2 is a square blob on the long hood, while the better looking ECAFB on the GP38-2 is molded on the back of the cab. The mounting holes for the handrails are also in different locations on both cabs where some filling and redrilling is necessary. For anyone that's curious about swapping GP38-2 and GP40-2 parts, check out B&O 4215-4221 - they have the same 81" nose and corrugated radiator as the Atlas GP40-2, but no anticlimber like the Atlas GP38-2: <http://www.trainweb.org/chessiephotos/html/GP40-2.html> <http://www.trainweb.org/chessiephotos/html/GP40-2.html>
Thanks for the comments and feedback so far, guys... My apologies on the music volume. I've uploaded the C44-9W component of the video logs below... I did it without music this time, so let me know if that's the way to go, and I'll go back and fix the SD40-2 video. [video=youtube;mlGN4Chsb0Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlGN4Chsb0Q[/video] Keep the feedback coming, and thanks for checking in!
UP had three basic types of "snoots", all had 116" noses and no anticlimbers: 1) early 116" nose (double taper on top of nose), early radiator grills 2) early 116" nose, corrugated radiator grills 3) late 116" nose (continuous taper on top of nose), corrugated radiator grills http://utahrails.net/up-diesel-roster/up-diesel-roster-45.php#
They are also more or less accurate for a group of Santa Fe engines, early 5000 series. The only major detail that Kato got wrong on 5026 and 5027 is the front anti-climber (that is, the lack thereof). And to answer some above questions... The snoot shell will not fit on the 'Mid-Production' mech or vice versa. The snoot and 'early' SD40-2s from Kato share the same mech, but the Mid-Pros are not close at all. If you want ditchlights for a later-in-life dash-2, I think it's easier to use the Mid-Pro and make shell corrections as appropriate. In other words I think you took the right approach. Finally, I kind of hate to say this, but that Dash-9 is not quite right for a 600 series model. Look at the side windows on the cab, and the ditchlight placement. Also the width of the front handrails. The early run of Kato Santa Fe Dash-9s have these details correct.
No worries! I was aware of these differences going into the build... On the other hand all Kato Dash-9 shells have the early type grills and are incorrect for the vast majority of Dash-9s.... Short of transplanting an AC4400 rear end, what can you do? Anyway, I finished uploading Part 2 of the SD40-2 build: [video=youtube;_dbYCNwTiQQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dbYCNwTiQQ[/video] Thanks for watching!
I think Andrew has been a little busy with other parts of life. Hopefully we see some more of his work soon.
Detailing makes a huge difference. I started super detailing engines a few years back. It is one of my favorite parts of the hobby. I am surprised more people don't add wipers and other simple details to their engines.
