jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 3, 2008 12:29:39 GMT -5
I'll post my first post, discussing the build project of a BNSF dash 9.
I'm starting with an Athearn BNSF H2 unit, un-numbered. The unit has a nose logo appropriate to the 47xx&48xx units. 4720 would be the starting point for H2 units.
I decided to pick a "famous"unit, BNSF 4723, the MSTS unit.
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 3, 2008 12:31:22 GMT -5
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Post by Randy Earle on Apr 3, 2008 12:37:00 GMT -5
Can't wait to see the model!!!!
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 3, 2008 15:36:42 GMT -5
I'm getting there Randy! Need to order more details still.
Here's what I've done so far:
-Replaced Athearn air tanks with Details West bottom mount tanks -Trimmed off small box next to engineer's side radiator -Removed X panels and replace with Details West -Removed X panel and hatch from roof above side x panels -Filled rear sand filler housing -Added Details West etched walkway hatches behind engineer's side of cab -Added Details West plow -Added Details West MU hoses & MU Cable, plus air line -Added Details west truck dampers -Added bottom plate from Hi-Tech GE exhaust stack (will paint stack before installing)
In the process of adding Details West BNSF 4 window cab details.
Removed cast on number boards, ordered correct coupler levers from Atlas. Need Microscale sheet for the MSTS logo. Also needs antenna's, air horn, etched steps, sand filler hatches, grab irons, wipers, wind deflector & mirror, plus some various under frame details.
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Post by Randy Earle on Apr 3, 2008 18:04:59 GMT -5
Take some pics Josh!
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 5, 2008 14:56:04 GMT -5
Plan to today! I forgot a few things...
-Moved the conductor's side electrical cabinet grill back farther
-need to fabricate a door for the rear of the long hood -need lift rings
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
|
Post by jbaakko on Apr 6, 2008 23:06:59 GMT -5
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
|
Post by jbaakko on Apr 6, 2008 23:13:16 GMT -5
I ordered the number boards, decals, fuel filler set, spare knuckles & brackets, axle bearing caps (since two sideframes have all 3 exposed), K3 with #4 bell reversed (air horn), Long Sinclair antennas (have the 3 small needed), and a can type antenna, [5 antennas total, one long, 3 short, one can], and proper ditch lights.
Next payday, I'll get the ATSF Dash9 detail pack, correct traction motor cables, steps, some emd latches & hinges to use for the rear door (not the right make, but good enough!), and maybe some other stuff...
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Post by Randy Earle on Apr 7, 2008 0:30:23 GMT -5
Nice Josh, it doesn't take long to spend a bundle on detail parts. My SD40-2 has big bucks tied up in parts. Too bad I gotta paint it sheep dip black. My wife asked, "you ain't gonna paint that are ya?!!" lol
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 9, 2008 1:58:26 GMT -5
lol, My wife has the opposite, she asked me when I'm going to paint the "ugly thing".
I'll get around to posting more pictures once I get the windows done, and the next batch of part installed.
In the meantime, I've got a truck (vehicle) to work on, and some other projects that are sitting derelict.
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Post by cyeargin on Apr 21, 2008 8:26:07 GMT -5
Looking good, Josh. If you haven't already considered it I highly recommend using the Details Associates Dash 9 radiator grilles...I have an Athearn Dash 9 in the "to do" pile that eventually will be an NS "Catfish" that I used them on, and they look great when you get them installed, and they're an easy install on the Athearn shell.
Chuck
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 24, 2008 14:43:53 GMT -5
Yeah, I have a few laying around. I used a set on a RPP unit, that I recently sold. I really like the looks.
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Dec 2, 2008 3:04:52 GMT -5
Sorry I have not been around much, there's just too many forums out there, and the dang colors here make me sick! #4723 went with me to WPM: Details west exposed roller bearings installed, I like them so much I'm going to swap ALL my Dash 9 & AC4400 exposed bearings for them.
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Post by Randy Earle on Dec 2, 2008 12:46:17 GMT -5
Yes Josh, there may be a lot of forums, but there is only ONE Diesel Detailer Forum. The rest are just model railroad boards.
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Dec 11, 2008 1:39:21 GMT -5
Very true. I just kept forgetting to check in. It in my regular list now, so I'll stop in more often!
I'm waiting until after Christmas, then I'll complete this BNSF unit, and BNSF #1065.
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Post by Christopher on Apr 20, 2009 7:29:32 GMT -5
Hey Josh, on the Athearn Dash 9 cab, is there something wrong with the angle of the windshield, or the nose dimensions? I'm not sure what it is, but something about the Athearn cab has always seemed off to me. I have one that I've studied pretty closely, but I can't quite put my finger on the issue, it looks ok when looked at head-on, but every other angle seems a little wierd. Perhaps it is just the thickness of the plastic...
Anyway, thanks for posting your progress on this unit, I'm planning to build a lot of BNSF Dash 9's, so this is useful information.
- Chris
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Smoke
Chairman
The Ski Train!!!!
Posts: 753
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Post by Smoke on Apr 20, 2009 21:51:50 GMT -5
Hey Josh, on the Athearn Dash 9 cab, is there something wrong with the angle of the windshield, or the nose dimensions? I'm not sure what it is, but something about the Athearn cab has always seemed off to me. I have one that I've studied pretty closely, but I can't quite put my finger on the issue, it looks ok when looked at head-on, but every other angle seems a little wierd. Perhaps it is just the thickness of the plastic... Anyway, thanks for posting your progress on this unit, I'm planning to build a lot of BNSF Dash 9's, so this is useful information. - Chris I always wondered the same thing. Something looks off on the Athearn cab but like you Chris, I can't put my finger on it. If you really want to know if it is off, Eddie Sarber would know, BNSF dash 9 nut. lol He used to have a website but AOL quit hosting it so it is no longer around. -Andrew
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on Apr 21, 2009 4:15:46 GMT -5
Is it the 4 window cab vs the standard 3? That cab is about 95% accurate for a BNSF cab...
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Post by Christopher on Apr 21, 2009 10:48:07 GMT -5
Well, the 4 window insert you used definitely looks better than the standard window arrangement as I think Athearn made the rounded window too small, but having looked a little closer at mine yesterday, I think the problem lies mainly around the front of the cab. The lack of correct corner radii on the windshields is definitely part of it, but there's something else too that doesn't seem right when viewed from any angle other than head on.
Looking at the most recent photo you posted of your model, I noticed something silver around the conductors windshield, is that a gasket with the correct corners? or is it just paint?
One solution I'm considering, is to get an undecorated AC4400 shell from Kato ($35) and graft the cab from that onto the Athearn body. It seems like it would work, it would just be a little expensive to do a lot of units that way.
- Chris
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jbaakko
Superintendent
Modern detail freak!
Posts: 191
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Post by jbaakko on May 10, 2009 5:40:01 GMT -5
The front window gasket comes from the same etching as the side windows.
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