pacbelt
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Building Layout #11!! ;)
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 6:16:54 GMT -5
I'm FINALLY ready to take on a project! This is for my own Proto-Freelanced Pacific Belt RR. I acquired a B'Mann GP38-2, for the princely sum of $0 !! I'm not sure it shouldn't go in the "cheap builds" thread, because what's going in/on, may not be so cheap.... Even IF, I have some of it already. This is what I'm starting with.... Many snub these, but I believe that it's the modern day "Blue Box"! Relatively cheap, decent (not exact) moldings, OK paint, and lend themselves to a lot of the "Canonizing" that you'd do to any Atlas or Kato. And these newer ones, are SMOOTH too! EASY to add DCC (or replace the junk stock decoder!). And with a little grinding, easy enough to add sound. Overall, they are MILES better than their older Locos!! ~ Carmine
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pacbelt
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Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 6:18:00 GMT -5
FIRST STEP was to disassemble, and see what I'm dealing with. (Sorry! Forgot my camera the other night!) This was a non-DCC model, so no waste. I had a Tsunami on hand, 16-645, non-turbo, that was perfect, and improved the performance significantly. As some can also see, I added a TCS KA-2 Keep-Alive to the tsunami. It's VERY easy, by connecting the negative wire to the negative wire coming out of the decoder going to the capacitor, and the KA positive wire to a positive common to the decoder's lighting. This gives me up to 10 seconds of protection - MORE than I'll ever need, for the dirty spot I missed or dead frog. (EVERYTHING I run has Keep-Alive in it. I have PERFECT running sessions!) While I'm playing with new technology, I tried my FIRST "Sugar Cube" speaker. This one is from ESU, and cost $12.95, with adaptable sized enclosure. Here it is, compared to a "typical" speaker that we've been using... Let me tell you guys - THE HYPE IS TRUE!! IMHO - this little 8x11, basically cell phone speaker, sounds BETTER than that bigger "high bass" speaker! More crisp, tighter Bass, LOUDER! ... and, for you small scale guys, it should fit fairly easily in most N Scale locos! (Video coming soon!)
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 6:18:49 GMT -5
Got the shell stripped, easily, with 91% Isopropyl, to see what I'm dealing with under the thick paint. not bad.... the fans are going (of course!) and the radiator grilles are awful. (Time for Cannon!!) HINT: for some dumb reason, B'Mann GLUES the handrails and details on. If you dab on acetone (nail polish remover) on the mounting points, you can remove them easily by prying them up with an Xacto blade. Then, after removing everything, including molded on grabs and lift hooks (BTW, the ECAFB is a SEPARATE part on these!)... I gave it a quick shot of primer, to see where I may have to wet sand or repair... ~ Carmine
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 6:43:34 GMT -5
I just ordered the Cannon radiator grilles. $2.75 - I couldn't resist!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 7:07:34 GMT -5
Looking sweet the Paccy
got a care package headed your way next day or 2 save your C&C money tons of that stuff in package
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Post by ironstef70 on Nov 2, 2015 7:39:31 GMT -5
Indeed, we need these entry level manufacturers (I won't snub either by saying cheap, since as mentioned in another post, my experience with these Bachmann is that they are actually the smoothest trackers on my layout...) as they allow for the beginner kitbasher to avoid losing the big bucks with a bad project, but also for those experimented ones to be even more creative and build original and unique colletcor pieces. I am curious about these cube speakers now. Maybe I'll give them a try eventually, just as with the TCS decoders.... Stephane
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EMDX6043
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Future ex-modeler
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Post by EMDX6043 on Nov 2, 2015 8:27:24 GMT -5
Lookin' good!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 8:31:44 GMT -5
It needs working class lights
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 8:53:39 GMT -5
It needs working class lights Not in 1978! I've got some features planned.... Ahhh, the joys of freelancing.... I got to choose items like radiator grilles, based on plausibility, and also personal taste!!
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 8:56:37 GMT -5
Thanks gentlemen! I'm going to have fun with this. It's a semi cheap build, will have detail, shell and frame... but I'm building a runner, and a workhorse for my Railroad.
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 8:58:43 GMT -5
Stephane, You will love the sugar cube speakers, especially if you want to put sound in one of the TEBUs! ~ Carmine
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jonte
Probationary Member
Posts: 24
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Post by jonte on Nov 2, 2015 16:35:26 GMT -5
Hi Carmine
This is an education fir me. So much to learn.
It looks rather like mine at the moment, but not for long!
It's amazing how cheap this hobby can be when you know what you're doing. Will follow with keen interest.
Best wishes,
jonte
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 2, 2015 20:07:44 GMT -5
Thank you jonte, it should be fun!
~ Carmine
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 7, 2015 3:08:54 GMT -5
UPDATE!! After removing the B'Mann handrails, and determining they look like ass... I decided tom go with Athearn RTR handrails. Look better, cost effective! Chiseled off the grabirons and lift rings... Then realized that I'm out of lift rings!! I guess that there could be worse problems...
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 7, 2015 3:14:57 GMT -5
I started adding Tichy 18" grabirons, straight or drop, depending on location... And I'll figure out later, why I drilled out the exhaust stacks... The FANS are definitely going!! I couldn't see NOT doing Cannon Fans! Another step out of the way, anyway. ~ Carmine
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 7, 2015 3:19:33 GMT -5
And here's a VIDEO, just a short run back and forth, demonstrating the Tsunami TSU AT-1000 decoder, with EMD 645E sound, and ONE 8x11mm "Sugar Cube" speaker. Sounds SO good, I may add a second, in the cab!!
B'Mann GP38-2 sound test run.
Enjoy! ~ Carmine
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 4:38:41 GMT -5
Sounds great jockey
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jonte
Probationary Member
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Post by jonte on Nov 7, 2015 18:15:46 GMT -5
Very good, Carmine. Your ingenuity and craftsmanship I are impressive.
Runs sweetly too.
I'm particularly relieved about that following my earlier recommendation.
Thanks for sharing,
jonte
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 8, 2015 7:12:07 GMT -5
jonte, I would recommend newer Bachmann to ANYONE who wants a smooth running model, and actually wants to be a MODELER, and modify it.... Instead of paying $400, open the box, and DONE! ..... if I can find a good handheld grinder, I'm going to shorten the tank, and gouge out a spot for the TCS Keep-Alive, AND be able to sit the body ALL the way down!! ~ Carmine
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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Post by pacbelt on Nov 8, 2015 7:13:54 GMT -5
Thanx, my favorite Grunt!! It should sound even better, when I can sit the body all the way down! Hehehehe
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