Santa Fe SD40-2 #5119

[superfleet93]

After a LONG hiatus I have finally started the construction of my SD40-2 build that will have all of the hood doors open to display an Overland Models 645 under the hood. I started cutting the backing sheets and have the clean air room completed on the engineer side. A HUGE thanks goes to my good friend Brian Banna as I ended up with a milled piece of aluminum which he used to assist in the construction of the hood sides. It has made an easy job of cutting these hood sides. I would greatly encourage anyone to attempt this as it is SO easy and I wish I had done this years ago. I have to thank Brian for keeping me motivated. I will be updating my website finally!!!!

I am not going to repeat anything on Brian's website on how I build my hood sides as all you need to do is follow what he has already done. I used the same tools and techniques Brian used and ended up with the same results. I will however explain how I made the measurements off the prototype but the rest is the same. Here are the beginning pictures of the hood sides.







And the LED fit into a Cannon and Company step light housing.



Perry

[Randy Earle]

OOF! That's too small for my tired old eyes

[antlorch]

Perry looking good so far... I like the LED in the step light housing...Hurry so I can see them on the engine working!!

[RunningExtra]

Perry, that is sick! Working step lights, jeez I am going to have to trash all of my loco's and start over.......

[mountaingoatgreg]

This will all be done by November right Perry???

[csxt]

Interesting, am stretched very much on the result

Kai

[icghogger]

I am SO bummed out, Perry, after that "step light with LED" ripple of yours. Like Scott, I gotta trash everything and start all over again........

[superfleet93]

Thanks for all the positive comments guys!

Scott and Robert: I'm not putting anyone to shame...just trying to get you guys excited about modeling. These are my first attempts at building hood sides and working with LED's so if I can do it, so can anyone. You just have to use lots of paitence and unfortunately I can't teach that!

Greg: I'm hoping to have a bunch of stuff done by the RPM Meet but whatever the status, I'm bringing as much as I can. That's the joy of RPM Meets, the models in construction form you can learn more from. I'm just happy to be able to be apart of the modeling community and I'm just trying to contribute in any way I can! I love helping others and promoting the hobby and I'm very thankful Randy started this forum as it's a great place to share. I've learned so much from others and I always give credit where it's due.

Perry

[Santa Fe Sammy]

Perry,

That is some out of sight, over the top stuff you've got goin' on there!

Can you send me some info on the RPM meet in Nov?

Thanks!

[superfleet93]

Sammy!

Check your e-mail buddy!

Perry

[superfleet93]

Thanks Stan! Actually I may end up lighting the engine compartment as well but I would like the engine compartment section removable on this model and that poses a huge challenge! But, I may be able to hide a function only decoder somewhere. I still have a lot of testing to do as the blower duct will actually have to be notched out to accomodate the 645's blower as the Overland Model has it attached. I was going to use .020 thick styrene for the inside hood, but I may have to go down to .010 styrene because it will be a very tight fit. Right now I'm playing with a Kato chassis and that may be what I end up using instead of the Railflyer chassis. Combining both the Cannon and Company and Railflyer products not to mention Details West, Details Associates, and BLMA I think it will be a well-represented display model on what you CAN do, not what you have TO.

Perry

[dtinut]

Perry,

I would suggest you mill out the fuel tank (weight) so you have room for the decoder there.
The fuel tank itself can be the shroud/box for the decoder. It's out of the way too.
Let me know if you need the frame milled to accomplish this...

Brian

[icghogger]

Sept 15, 2009 11:25:20 GMT -5 @gtwhogger said:

Perry,

Still awesome, any ways, where do you get the Magnet wire and the LED's ??

Stan, Ngineering has the LED's and wire. Richmond Controls has the LED's pre-wired, if the ol' eyeballs ain't up to the task! ;D

[superfleet93]

Stan,

Sorry for the late reply but yes, Ngineering has everything you need.

Brian,

I think your exactly right for the decoder. I was thinking that as I can assemble the Railfyer fuel tank, then mill the space for the decoder because it will only be a function only decoder. I will clarify I want this thing to be able to operate as a dummy unit and I'm not concerned about loosing a little weight as that brass 645 is relatively heavy. I plan on having an interior and I may end up lighting the control stand as well. Right now I'm working the logistics out on making the air horn line a seperate piece so the top of the cab will be removable. But, I have a long ways to go before I get there.

Chris,

I'm going to stick with using the Railflyer chassis because last night after tinkering around with the Kato chassis I'm not happy with it at all. I can mill the Railflyer chassis so I can lower the generator down into the frame like the prototype. I just need to finish the hood sides so I can see exactly how much room I'm going to actually need.

All I need is some trucks (hint, hint) which I know they are coming. The biggest reason I need the trucks is to see exactly how the truck fits into the frame because I may have to modify it to get everything to fit where the compressor goes.

Perry