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Post by rdg5310 on May 8, 2009 10:56:49 GMT -5
First, thanks to all who made comments on this project. So moving on, I'm finally adding the fuel tank and frame mods I made. The 1st and 2nd pics shows the cuts I made to the Atlas RS11 fuel tanks. I only needed the the angled section. After cutting, I filled in the voids with scrap styrene to bring each section flush. The drain plug details are left on. Even though these tanks were just ballasted, Conrail chose not to remove them.
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Post by rdg5310 on May 8, 2009 12:14:17 GMT -5
This pic shows the tanks mounted to the frame and all the mods that I did. Again, I used a frame from a Stewart RS12. It gave me the best options to do this build. The tank area is angled wider at the top, so I milled this flush to the bottom of the tank on each side. Also milled the ends of the tank also because it is angled. I didn't want to remove allot of material here, this whole area is thin as it is. I didn't want to loose the strength and integrity of the frame. I added .060 styrene to the ends of the tank so that they would be flush with the fuel tank. Keep in mind if you decide to do a MT6, Conrail never made exact duplicates. Some of the fuel tanks haven't been modified from the original. I guess it all had to do with ballasting or money. The model I'm doing had the tanks flush on the ends. It's a mod that will not make or break this build. You can also see the holes were the frame will be mounting to the body. I'm using #80x3/16 flat head screws with #80 nuts epoxied into the deck. The holes on the frame are chamfered for a flush mount. I then added .030x.250 styrene to bring the fuel tanks out to the proper width. I also added .015 strip styrene to correctly raise the frame hight. All styrene added to the frame was glued down using barge cement thinned. ACC and other types don't adhere well to these frames. I also used a product called Goop on the fuel tank end caps. It worked well also, no separation when I milled the sides of the tanks. The red color you see in the pics is nitro-stan automotive spot putty to fill any gaps. I've used this stuff for years with great results. As long as you keep the tubes sealed, it will last a long time. My tube is 14 years old with no drying out.
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Post by RunningExtra on May 8, 2009 17:51:08 GMT -5
That is an excellent job Ron
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Post by rdg5310 on May 9, 2009 20:56:50 GMT -5
Thanks Scott and Jeff. I knew that others would like to see how this was done rather than post just the I'm finished photo's. I actually was going to wright the article for RMC. But I felt it deserves to be here. Randy has done a great job managing the board. Which has made me stay on as a member. I started this project back in the mid 90's. The shell for the MT6 was a piece of cake to cut down. It's the rest of it that has been a pain in back side. But, this is what I like to do and I have done since the early 80's. The best thing about this hobby is you never stop learning, and you should never be greedy with your knowledge. If your looking for the diagrams for this build, you can reference RMC March 1992.
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Post by Randy Earle on May 9, 2009 22:10:24 GMT -5
Ron, kudos on the frame build!
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Post by trickcooley on May 15, 2009 8:12:54 GMT -5
Lookin very nice!
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Post by rdg5310 on May 15, 2009 21:29:54 GMT -5
Nice pic Jay, I see these at least once a week from my work heading out to Reading from Allentown Pa. I know NS no longer services any units at Allentown like Conrail did. And Randy thanks, allot of thinking has gone into the frame. More than I originally imagined. The frame has taken on it's own life, even more than the pilot steps. And no, I have not assembled the steps yet. When I do, I will post that pic ASAP. Is there anyone else considering this project?
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Post by superfleet93 on May 19, 2009 13:12:19 GMT -5
I am Ron. I like mother slug combos regardless of what railroad they are. I have Santa Fe slugs ready, NS RP4-ED slug, and after seeing the plans on RMC a few years back, this is on my list too.
Perry
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Post by rdg5310 on May 22, 2009 21:08:45 GMT -5
I hear you Perry, I do like slug sets myself. I plan on doing another one of these after I finish this one. I was thinking of doing the NS version. I'll use the new body made by Atlas and hopefully I'll discover a different frame to use. I also am considering doing the older Conrail version of the MT6 with the Tri-mount trucks, it's easier. I've spent countless hrs just staring at this project, just like a chess game. Trying to plan my next move without screwing up the whole build. As much as this project has made me complain (curse to) and question my reasoning for doing this version, I really have enjoyed the challenge it has provided. Good luck with your builds and get some pics posted for us all.
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sd40t2
Probationary Member
Posts: 16
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Post by sd40t2 on Oct 2, 2010 20:37:48 GMT -5
they are still in use on in Buffalo NY coupled to SD38's
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Post by rdg5310 on Oct 11, 2010 22:31:20 GMT -5
I have pics of CSX in Selkirk NY with the MT6 mated with ex-Family lines SD40-2. All with remote controlled mother.
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Post by Jack Napier on Jan 23, 2013 0:46:27 GMT -5
Back when I lived in WNY, I used to visit the Frontier Yard. You could usually see one of these critters lashed up with an SD38, pushing cars over the hump. Good times.
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Post by stevef45 on Feb 1, 2013 10:38:17 GMT -5
is there a link to the photobucket album to view the construction of this slug?
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mgwsy
Road Foreman
Posts: 86
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Post by mgwsy on Feb 2, 2013 9:29:30 GMT -5
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Post by conrail45dash2 on Mar 8, 2013 22:49:06 GMT -5
This build has been on my list for years, I just couldn't make the frame work. Is there any way that the pics can be fixed? I can't see them at all. I have the body almost ready just need a frame and Flexicoil trucks.
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