Finally got a chance to finish up my CSX YN2. I know one thing for sure, either I need to start airbrushing, or if I ever do another SD40-2 repaint the way I did this one, I'm never removing the grab rails again. It took me hours to get them back on bacause the paint clogged the holes where the rails snap in. The new rails (compared to the GP35's) look a lot better, but I think the GP35 rails are way easier to install. Also pictured is the "big brother" (G scale version) of my repaint.
Nice paint job, Joe. MTL finally release a stripper. Maybe I will repaint one into a YN2 too. By the way that is not a big brother. Its more like a fly on a elephant.
Joe, real good job. Hate to admit but I like the grey on the G scale model better. More of a stunning contrast. Here is a detail suggestion for all you repainters: When finishing a model silver the window frames and add a touch of silver paint to the class lights. And wow she looks even better.
Soooooo I just caved in and bought a MT SD40-2 to play with. What are you guys using for grab irons, the BLMA set? http://www.blmamodels.com/images/store/8500b.jpg
.004" diameter wire is also available from Ngineering if you prefer a round cross section to the BLMA etched parts.
I'll guess 0.04" (1 mm) is too thick for Z scale grab irons in my opinion, I rather would use 0.01" (0.25 mm).
Well I have seen I lot of SD40-2's detailed up on here and the grabs looked fine to me. I'll get the BLMA set and see from there, bending grabs in Z doesn't sound like fun.
Just getting my feet wet... One thing I knew had to be done to the SD40-2 was suck in the couplers a bit. I pulled the stock coupler out and used a .060" thick styrene pad to mount a "Browser Buckler" with a 00-90 screw. In both photos the snow plow is removed (I will probably leave it off the back) the front has the anti-climber, but you can still see the difference. I sucked the coupler in .114" or over 25 Z scale inches, plus when pulling the MT coupler is pulled out a bit against the spring so while pulling I sucked it in over 30 Z scale inches. Right now I'm building a box around the coupler so it isn't poking out of a big hole. I'll post more pics when done.
More pics: BTW I figured out how to make the top front light work. I guessing it has been done already.
When I saw just how far the coupler stuck out my first thought was to joke about cushion underframes. Then I remembered: RailroadForums.com Photo Gallery - BB40-2 engineer - Powered by PhotoPost RailroadForums.com Photo Gallery - FCA 4815 - Powered by PhotoPost RailroadForums.com Photo Gallery - FCA 4815 - Powered by PhotoPost BB40-2s are just like that.
