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Post by ironstef70 on Oct 29, 2016 21:14:05 GMT -5
I am just getting started with this latest project made out of a nice brass RBC-1 unit. I have documented my folder with these pictures, but it has been modified since, and my plan is to rebuild it as I witnessed it on September 5th as it was in town. It is now showing strobes on each corners of the roof, an interesting operation feature, then also relocated wiper motors, roof antennas and horn, oh well:   Now here is where it started from: A nice, but barebone brass DC unit, not lights, no nothing:  I have just did the usual brass loco project start: gearboxes and drivetrain lubrification, eletrical pickups / drive shafts straightness check, electrical motor motor insulation, then gathering all detailing parts. I just got started with the toughtest part: remodeling the end doors and windows. That was a serious body shop job as I had to unsolder and re-solder the doors flush to the body. I seamed the edges with solder which I carefully sanded, and then upsized the end windows using small files. I am waiting for parts but in the meantime, I will start working on the roof soon.    The plan will be to fit in a Locksound QSI decoder so I can have the prototype sound. Decals (Highball) are also on their way... Stephane |
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Post by ironstef70 on Nov 7, 2016 18:40:21 GMT -5
Last weekend's works: GPS domes, blocking windows (as prototype), lights housings, horns. Next will be this end doors grab irons, the wipers motors and the sinclairs supports (3) on the roof. This is all about soldering. I like it.  Stephane |
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Post by ironstef70 on Nov 13, 2016 19:51:51 GMT -5
Progress update: Now the soldering of details at each ends and the roof is completed. I went as far as I could in brass detailing, including component wires (antennas and ditch lights) SCROLL DOWN THIS LINK FOR ROOF DETAILS and hand made wiper arms and blades, and their motors. The latter were a touchy process as I machined the motor boxes in a steel bar, then drilled and screwed them into the body. Despite they are more exposed, there is no way they will fall off! As matter of fact, they end up protecting the gently soldered wiper arms, which is a great idea that I didn't even figured out first hand. What's left is detailing the side doors and grab irons, adding the mirrors at each corners, gluing the domes and antennas (once painted) on their supports (on the screws ends now visible) and then will be the decals, hand paint details and LED job. The final touch will be the glass and plastic snow plows so to avoid shorts on tracks. No less than 18 LEDs will be used in this model, including strobes at each corners. Decoder will be ESU Lockound. I shall get started with painting in the meantime, possibly next weekend, as most of the silver body sides will be left bare brass, that I will polish with a soft brush on the Dremel and appropriate polishing compound. It has such a nice finish that hiding it with paint would be blaspheme. That project really is a detailer's delight due to the numerous components added. I'm more and more eager to see it come alive. Stephane     |
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Post by jmlaboda on Nov 14, 2016 15:55:32 GMT -5
Really is looking absolutely great!!! Definitely not for the faint of heart...
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Nov 16, 2016 21:45:35 GMT -5
I agree, looks outstanding so far.
So where exactly are 18 LEDs going? i assume some are to light what was the passenger section? What decoder are you using for all the lighting functions at the head end though?
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Post by ironstef70 on Nov 16, 2016 22:07:28 GMT -5
Here is how that will break down so far (one function each):
- 4 orange flashing (from Evans models) for the strobes;
- 4+4 white ones for the upper end of roof and those below the end windows (the bold ditch lights at one end won't be wired);
- 4 orange (will probably paint over in thinned red) for those next to unit numbers;
- 2 white ones for under frame.
So basically three additional functions as the 8 white ones will be forward and reverse lights (4 on each)
Decoder will be ESU Locksound with double mega bass 1" speakers (since space allows for) in custom speaker box instead of a standard baffle kit, for deeper sound.
So no lights inside the body: not much to see there anyways as the long shafts and motor cannot be hidden much. The engineering crew seems to prefer intimacy anyways, according to proto pictures I took, and found on the web.
Working on computers all day long I would probably prefer taking the blinds down too...
Stephane
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Post by ironstef70 on Nov 20, 2016 20:15:30 GMT -5
This weekend has been (mostly) about wiring and painting. The detailing of the front doors came better than I have expected. Once again, I soldered some brass plates and then polished the joints, then added the funky grab irons. The four mirrors, just as the wipers arms, were 100% kitbashed. I was also happy to test the LEDs once installed and have them all functioning properly at first attempt. That shall be easier to connect to the decoder now. Don't mind the bad paint finish around the mirrors and doors; they have been touched up since. The white roof top ends has just been completed as well. A couple more days (once paint has dried), and I will do some light weathering, add decals, seal it with varnish, polish the body sides and add windows, GPS domes and strobes. Then will come programming and take it for a test ride.   Stephane |
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Post by ironstef70 on Dec 10, 2016 17:33:19 GMT -5
It still needs a few correctives: missing or damaged decals, cab road numbers and some paint touch up, but here's how it looks on its first test run: (BUDD club layout test run) Stephane |
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Post by tamaman on Dec 12, 2016 16:37:38 GMT -5
Nice! I have always wanted to build this!
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Post by ironstef70 on Dec 12, 2016 20:51:49 GMT -5
I'll get you guys a better video and pictures in a couple days. It was still dirty, had bad paint spots, and is missing some decals and light weathering but I need to print a sheet of decals for "unfinished projects" including this one, prior to make final pictures. For some reason, its designed with electrical pickups only on one side of trucks (front left truck is positive, rear right truck is negative (or the opposite)), so it is indeed a real track test car !!! It will locate all dead spots for sure.  Stephane |
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Post by ironstef70 on Dec 22, 2016 20:16:33 GMT -5
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Dec 22, 2016 21:05:52 GMT -5
Turned out really nice! That would be a fun one to run during an OP session to throw a wrench into the works.  |
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Post by ironstef70 on Dec 23, 2016 11:37:19 GMT -5
Haha! I like the idea In French we say it'd be like having a dog in the middle of a bowling path. Stephane |
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dekon
Staff Member
Posts: 634
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Post by dekon on Jan 2, 2017 20:25:03 GMT -5
Great looking build!
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