You can see in my last post that I had applied BLMA etched brass walkway material on the walkways. I did not like the way it turned out, so I replaced it with very thin styrene strip. The cast on walkways are very thin and brittle and break easily so the styrene will strengthen them. I have some Archer tread plate decal material on order to help get "the look". I think they look much better. As soon as I figure out how to attach the pilot I'll be well on my way. Also, I have sprayed a very thin coat of white on the tender to enable rivet decal application. BTW, both shells are just sitting on their chassis. I have done some measuring and I filled the tender shell with Play-Doh and pressed the chassis on and if I am measuring correctly I can get an ESU LS5 micro and 8x12 speaker in the tender. Do I do, or do I don't? ? ? Stay well, Carl
Two days of decal work and I only have one side of tender done. This "detail" sure better make a difference ? ? ? Stay well, Carl
It has been a week since my last update. A couple of days ago I completed adding the rivet decals. They need to be sealed to protect them, so today I airbrushed them with Tru-Color black. I will let dry for 3-4 days and then add the decals............ I think it looks pretty good, a tad too shiny but that will be corrected at the end of the build. Stay well, Carl
I am planning, $$$ permitting, to put an ESU V5 Micro DCC hardwired decoder and sugar cube speaker in this tender. I have placed "silly putty" inside and set shell on, then measured the clay after removing and assuming I measured correctly they will fit. I just can't convince myself but while contemplating I found this short 7 minute Y-T video of my SP AC-9 build. It runs and sounds nice, so I am pretty much hooked on the idea. BTW, the "lowrider" rake on the boiler shell has been corrected. Say safe, Carl
I have been able to get decals applied and a thin coat of matte sprayed to protect the decals ; Be well, Carl
Well I am resurrecting this thread, that I started almost 1 year ago and last posted updates last September. So hang on, here goes. I have completed piping on the boiler and have it fitted well to the chassis, priming it in white to help when applying rivet decals. I have not figured out how to attach the pilot but will get there. Also the new ESU L5 nano hard wired decoder is only 19.6 mm x 8.5 mm x 3.2 mm so I cut out a plastic piece that size and find it will fit several places. Still not sure about the sound as the LP's run very well. I have drilled through the headlight so I can put a "Z size" LED in there and I plan on making the firebox flash and glow as well. I need motivation George ! Fun, fun, fun, Be well, Carl
Carl...if anyone can do this its you ! I am going to have to consult with you on led headlights. I have a couple of locomotives that you cant see the headlights....even in the dark !! I am making slow progress on the flames in the burn barrel at the 'homeless encampment'. You got me started on lighting stuff ! I dont know whether to high 5 ya or cuss ya for all the extra work. I just know that lights on a layout are the bomb !!! Now...about those locomotive hedlights ?????? .
Thanks George, I needed that. Tell you what, let's do the high 5's and share a Colorado Kool Aid the next time I am in Show Low. Be well, Carl
Well, I like taking pictures to check out the way a detail looks good or bad so that I can change it. I was not happy with the way the pipe looked on the fireman's side of boiler, so I re-did it today (image #1 ). I think it looks better than the 1st effort and at least it is straight. On the hoghead's side of boiler I wanted more piping detail, so I scratched out the following. I will have to bend them around under the cab. I'll do that tomorrow. I think they add a lot to the boiler. Next up is fitting the pilot and figuring out how to attach it. Thanks for looking, be well, and play trains (gosh I've been doing that for 75 Years), Carl
I was wondering how this (piece of art) LOL would look on the rail with tender behind. Here are a couple of images that I just made to help me understand "what next". I think the boiler is a tad too high above the drivers but I m really pushing the limits if I mill out more material from the top inside of the shell. I may play it safe and just add an air tank and reverser under the molded on tnk thus shortening that distance a tad. Also, I think the firebox should hang a bit lower. Any thoughts and comments are welcome ! ! ! Thanks for taking the time to look and comment, be well, Carl
Maybe a piece of plain styrene laminated to the lower sill of the firebox would take care of making the firebox lower
John, Thanks for the suggestion. I was actually pondering that very idea. I can run some rivet decals along the edge to make it look "as built".
After spending a few minutes flipping back and forth between the proto pic and the last two, I still think just a smidgen lower. The Engr. side air tanks just barely hang over the top of the drivers on the proto....... It is an awesome looker so far!!