EM-1 To SP AC-9 - new bash project

Carl Sowell Jul 21, 2021

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  1. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    [​IMG]

    Yep, another AC-9. I have the "superturbine" castings and EM-1 and started 3-4 years ago and just dropped it. Here are the parts and pieces:
    [​IMG]

    BTW, the AC-9 I completed back in 2014 still runs and runs & sounds good. I just hope to make this one better looking. Stay tuned.

    Be well,
    Carl

    In case you have not seen it, here is my 1st attempt:
    [​IMG]
     
  2. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    But the tender's on the wrong end!

    Wait, I mean but the tender's on the right end!
     
  3. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here are my projects pieces. I stripped it down to be able to better mill the chassis to fit the shell. I am so glad that I did because I found that the left side pickup on front engine was not connected. If I had done all this work and then had poor performance typical of pickup issues I would have been po'd big time.

    Here is what the B'mann EM-1 looks like naked :

    [​IMG]

    Later, stay well,
    Carl
     
  4. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    Tender is on the right end, the cab is on the wrong end...wait...nevermind :D

    I have one that I need to get back to work on as well. Hopefully watching you do yours will provide that motivation!
     
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  5. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here are a couple of shots with my progress today.

    1st one shows how I have milled the chassis to fit on shell very well. The shiny holes are where the piping will re-attach.. You can see the throttle rod in place :
    [​IMG]

    2nd to show the throttle and hand rail in place:
    [​IMG]

    I have straightened the hand rail some.

    Be well,
    Carl
     
  6. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    I, for one would love an SP AC-9, I think it is a crime Intermountain did not make one while they were making the Cab Forwards.
     
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  7. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Update as of tonight 08/01/21. I have added some piping and tanks to the fireman's side of boiler as well as on the hoghead's side, just did not take a picture. Also I have made some of the railings for the pilot deck. The Daylight colored plow is only glued on to facilitate final fitting and installation of the railings and headlight. I will soak it in warm water to soften and remove the Aileen's tacky glue. I do not have a headlight, so I'll scratch one. Need to start on tender although it has been milled along with chassis and they fit real well.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I like to take photos and post so that I can find needed tweaks. I need to work on the solder joints on the railing. I have the other side made but not bent to shape as yet.

    Be well,
    Carl
     
  8. JMaurer1

    JMaurer1 TrainBoard Member

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    How did you do the steps on the pilot?
     
  9. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jeff,

    those came off of Gold Medal Models 160-42 "Steam locomotive Details". I am not real happy with them or maybe I should say my application skills. My shaky numb fingers are giving me heck, but if I want to complete this old bash I need to keep going.

    Be well,
    Carl
     
  10. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Update as of today.

    The handrails on this pilot deck were very difficult for me. I think these are the 3rd set that I made. All of the pb wire is .010 diameter, very hard for me and my hands. The light is on a 3v battery, when installed I shall put a 1K or 1.5K resistor as these were not that bright. I have plenty of "cleanup" to do before painting. The plow (or whatever that thing is called) will be attached after spraying the deck.
    [​IMG]

    Here all the components are just "set on" to check clearances and needed tweaks.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    A lot to do but boiler is getting close to paint. The black CAA glue will blend into the black paint. I need yo get to the tender, I do not have any real good images of the oil tenders but I'll get there.

    Any suggestions are welcome. Nope I aint doing the railings again, just clean them up.

    Be well,
    Carl
     
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  11. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had to stop this bash job because I totally destroyed the #1 engine in the Bachman EM-1 chassis.

    I have just received a new one, so I can work on it again.

    [​IMG]

    Santa did well.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2021

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