Soon to be on my workbench, I just ordered a GHQ Burlington O-4 Mikado conversion. I'm going to build the Worthington version. Also, by the looks of the kit, they include enough spare parts that I will only be two details short of detailing my other Mikado into the Elesco version (assuming I dont break any of the parts *knock on wood*). I had a ton of fun building the GHQ Model A Pick-up and I expect this one, though most certainly more difficult, to be even more fun as well! Also, I'm moving forward on another project I've been considering for some time now. I'm going to scratch build a telescoping boom fork lift for loading flat cars and gondolas. Wish me luck.
I have re-painted a Kato NW2 to better represent a Milwaukee switcher in 1949. The orange is still the factory paint, I have simply oversprayed the black with Milwaukee Grey. The decals are all Microscale, cobbled together from various sets. The red stripe is from a UP Passenger engine set... Cheers Dirk
I got into this Chessie thing so I am salvaging this old Life Like boxcar. Body mount couplers, wire stirrups, metal wheels, new brake wheel, etc. The old Life Like is pretty bad compared to the new products, but it has cleaned up pretty well. After two years I finally detailed my Texas Mexican GP35. The big thing was convert from turbocharged to normally aspirated. It is numbered 868. If we ever get that far on the model counting thread I will be all set.
My SD70Ms are nearing completion - got the handrails and steps painted white over the weekend - they're now 99% done. Just got to dig some beacons out of the stash, paint the couplers and the grills, and they'll be officially done and off the work bench!
Nice work guys! Flash, I was just reading about the Texas Mexican in Jim Boyd's Mopac book. James, I've been waiting for Kato to release some demo SD70Ms...your fleet should do the trick!
Upgrading the MDC/Athearn 50' Tank Car I have been using a few old MDC tanks to test airbrushing. The cars were getting so caked that it was impossible to determine how well the paint was applying. After stripping the paint, the tank looked like it could be salvaged. This car was used to test weathering with poor results. The platforms and ladders need the most help. Here is the model after upgrades. I used the Gold Medal Models Con-Cor upgrade kit as the handrails matched the prototype better. Upgrades included: New ladders, top handrails. New end platforms, steps, handrails, brake wheel. New side railings along the bottom, brake lines New air brake equipment salvaged from a MTL underframe. Close-up of ladders and top platform.
Close up of end platform. I still need to add the brake chain. MDC in the front, Atlas 20K GS tank in the back. The MDC car is shorter than the Atlas car, at 49' but also wider. The tank scaled out to 9'6" not including ladder. Don't mins the fuzz. The models were sitting on the bench for a few days. The car will be properly cleaned before decaling. The prototype for the model is this: GATX 2684
Nice work Daniel. I have 9 of these cars and you are motivating me to upgrade them. They are poor runners in my opinion, but I have not taken any time to dig into them. I have added MT trucks and couplers and IM metal wheels, but no joy. Have you done anything to help them run more reliably. Mine derail often, mostly at turnouts. Its almost as if the leading truck refuses to turn for an instant when one derails.
The cars are a bit top heavy. MDC asses a crown on the bolster for some reason and this can cause too much movement between the trucks and body. I filed the bolsters down a bit to lower the car. This also helped it track better. That being said, I glued the saddle in when attaching the handrails. At some point the weights got loose. So now they rattle around in there and it drives me nutts. Oh well, something to keep in mind for the next car.
Nice upgrade Daniel, Can I ask, does the GMM Con Cor kit include the ladders? I've got a couple of these also & your modifications have got me thinking I should follow your lead Thanks for sharing the photos of your upgrade Steve
Experimenting with three different shades of yellow for Chessie System. Top to bottom: CNW yellow, ATSF yellow, UP yellow. UP yellow is the best, IMHO.
