add flexicoil side-frame on P2K switcher

[m636]

Hi everyone. On several forum, a lots peoples asking a technique to add Athearn flexicoil sideframe on a Proto 2000 SW unit.

Here my technique how I done to some units.
Easily done in 30min.

Original Athearn side-frame.


P2K truck


Take all gearbox in parts

Cut the little pin and brake shoe with the bracket.


Remove the plastic on the flexicoil as show on the photo and test fit the pick up bracket.



Assembly the gearbox back and glue the little on pick up bracket and put it back in place.


Sand smoothly the brake bracket from P2K truck for gluing them on flexicoil side frame.


Put the brackets on the gearbox and glue the fexicoil over it.

And the modification is done.


I hope it will help some of you!

[CP_8530]

Good job on the conversion! I've been trying to think of a way to mount those Flexicoils on a P2K truck recently, and was leaning towards something like that. My idea was to mount the pickup strip behind the wheels, but your method may prove to be easier.

How does the drive/trucks look under the body?

[graftonterminalrr]

Yes; very helpful conversion info when you're trying to model an SW1200RS or a Rock Island SW1200.

How well do the glue bonds hold? The P2K sideframe is Delrin, a material that does not take kindly to glue.

[m636]

I used medium CA glue (ZAP-A-GAP) and it weld very well.
If you sand both surfaces were you apply the glue. it will improve the adherence.

[CP_8530]

Well, I got out my old ACL SW9 (likely to become a CP SW1200RS sometime) and decided to make the swap, but with a few modifications that ended up taking a lot more time:

EDIT: detailed conversion instructions here: dieseldetailer.proboards.com/thread/12017/page/1/cp-rail-sw1200rs#scrollTo=83721



I was aiming to mount the sideframes closer to the wheels to make them more visible, so devised a way to mount the pickups on the inside, similar to converting an Atlas truck to accept Athearn Blomberg sideframes (I also had to file the bottom cover down since it was one of the early P2K switchers that would catch on switches):


There are some minor clearance issues with the brake cylinders, but from photos it appears the sheet metal by the steps was cut back to less of an angle on the prototypes:

[m636]

Mrdan,
You did a great job, to allow space for the truck can moving well, you can remove some plastic on the 45 angle skirt by made it at about 60 degrees. I have done 2 CN SW1200rs using proto shell and they was running very well. I will post some photos of my engine later.

[pwrailfan]

Do you plan on changing the steps to CP kind? If so, what are you going to use?
Thanks,
David

[graftonterminalrr]

Railflyer and Miniatures By Eric both make correct step wells and steps. Railflyer's is far better.

[m636]

Custom finishing models make the steps and other parts like number board,radiator and fuel tanks for the sw1200

The custom finishing steps 276 are the most accurate for SW unit because the height of the step are very different from SW and GP unit.
www.customfinishingmodels.com/DetailParts.pdf

[railfan]

Aug 6, 2009 22:43:01 GMT -5 CP_8530 said:

"-How did i end up here?" Quote from the simpsons.

[icghogger]

Sept 1, 2009 10:08:11 GMT -5 railfan said:

"-How did i end up here?" Quote from the simpsons.

Like me in similar situations, I'll bet you were hoping no one would notice ;D

[m636]

Sept 1, 2009 10:08:11 GMT -5 railfan said:

Aug 6, 2009 22:43:01 GMT -5 CP_8530 said:

"-How did i end up here?" Quote from the simpsons.

Sorry for post it late,
To allow room for the truck to move correctly, your have to modified the skirt on the step. On the Proto 2000 running board the angle of the skirt is 45° and doesn't allow enough space for the flexicoil with the brake cylinder to move correctly.

Cut the steps skirt form 45° to 65° as show on photos it will make space for the brake cylinder.


some of my CN SW1200rs Point one shell mounted on P2K drive.


Here in action on the Canada Central layout.

[spike]

Good for New Haven modelers too!