A couple of MP15 projects

[jongrant4472]

I have started work on a couple of MP15s to get the roster for Sweethome Alabama up to a reasonable amount. I envisage having one loco working at a time and estimate a stable of 8 locos should be more than sufficient to give an Alabama feel to the layout.

The two locomotives I am using are an Atlas MP15DC, factory painted for Norfolk Southern (ex Southern)







The other is an undecorated Athearn MP15AC that I recently painted up in CSX bright future scheme, but forgot to take any photos of the progress.






Both locos are soundchipped with factory fitted sound - the NS MP15DC has a chassis borrowed from a BRC unit and the Athearn MP15AC fitted with the MRC chip. Unfortunately the MRC chip stopped working after about 35 minutes and , since I bought the loco at a swapmeet, I don't have a receipt to send it back for repair. Consequently the Athearn unit is now fitted with a Tsunami 645 non-turbo engine.

Now to add some details.

Jon

[icghogger]

I did a double-take on the CSX switcher, very realistic photo!!

[jongrant4472]

I made a start detailling the CSX MP15 and added details such as a horn, MU cabling and ditch lights. For some reason there wasn't a horn in the otherwise excellent list of parts in the undec kit, so I used a Details West Nathan P5, although one of the 'bells' accidentally fell off during weathering, so it is actually a Nathan P4! at present.

I kept the weathering quite light, limiting the effect to an 'in-use' look with some sunbleaching of the blue, as I wanted it to have the look of a recently repainted engine that has seen some service.












One compromise I had to make concerned the ditch lights. The decoder only has 2 lighting functions in addition to the forward/reverse headlights, so the front and rear ditchlights are ON, no matter which direction the loco is travelling in. I also programmed them as Type 1 ditchlights - ie they are on all the time and flash when the horn is sounded.

Jon

[RunningExtra]

Looks very realistic Jon, could pass for the real one with no problem!

[jongrant4472]

I shot some video last night and put it up on You Tube. Here is the link to it


Jon

[redp]

Jun 30, 2009 2:04:08 GMT -5 RunningExtra said:

Looks very realistic Jon, could pass for the real one with no problem!

I for one have always admired Jons modeling.
P

[Smoke]

Jun 28, 2009 19:37:17 GMT -5 jongrant4472 said:

The two locomotives I am using are an Atlas MP15DC, factory painted for Norfolk Southern (ex Southern)

Jon,
Your killing me with all this ex-southern stuff! I think its about time you do something Southern power! NIce work btw, I really like the CSX unit!

-Andrew

[jongrant4472]

Jul 1, 2009 17:01:22 GMT -5 Smoke said:

Your killing me with all this ex-southern stuff! I think its about time you do something Southern power! NIce work btw, I really like the CSX unit!

-Andrew

Patience Grasshopper

I have the following Southern locos - GP7, GP18, SW12 and an undec brass SD24.

Once the layout is up and running in 1990's guise, I will be looking to backdate the stock to the 1970s, but I don't have sufficient freight cars for both eras.

Jon