UP 5441 ES44AC Detailed and Weathered

[ednadolski]

Here is an Intermountain HO ES44AC, UP 5441, that I recently finished detailing and weathering. I had posted some pre-weathering pics of this model here: dieseldetailer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dash&action=display&thread=8373 , so this work completes this model.

In addition to the previously mentioned scratchbuilt wire grabirons and stepwell handrails plus the Railflyer parts, this model also has some Details West parts (traction motor cables, air filters, underframe details), some scratchbuilt air piping (underframe, trucks), brake chain, and Sergent couplers. For weathering, I used airbrushing, artists paints (acrylics, gouache, and water-mix oils), and some powders. As this represents a relatively new loco, I didn't want the weathering to have much or a paint fade or rust. Even tho these are new, some of the prototypes are pretty grimy, and even the same engine can vary dramatically in pics taken at different times. For this model I was mainly interested in a much more moderate effect, altho on these UPs the yellow frame stripe is a more recent modification (originally these had the red frame stripes). The sunlight definitely washes out some of the weathering, under indoor light this model is noticeably more grimy looking.

Hope you guys enjoy this, please let me know your comments!

Best,
Ed

[lucas]

Great!!!Could you post some closeups of the brake tensioner chains?
Thanks

[stump]

Looks great

[kz9]

Great job!

[icghogger]

That looks AWESOME!!

[kcs1967]

Amazing from every angle.

[ranchwagon]

Great build!

[tamaman]

Holy man! Very nicely done!

[Randy Earle]

That's fantastic Ed.

[diesel]

Hey Ed,

I looked this up (and the other thread on this as well) since I got one of these last weekend. I'm gonna run it for the time being as is since I have my hands full, but I am inspired to make the changes you made to my model.

I do have a question about the underframe details though. Did you use the DW ES44 detail kit for T/Tower 55 ES44s? Did you scrap off the cast on details off the frame such as whatever type of cables those are supposed to be? And finally, what is this thing like under the hood? Is it easy to take apart or is it like the Athearn Genesis SD70ACe? -I'll NEVER take that thing apart again! lol

[csxt]

Looks great

[analogbeatmaker]

That's a really nice job you have done on that engine. I want one of those units to do the new "Southern" Norfolk Western Heritage scheme.

[stewarttrains98]

really great work and looks great as well.

[ednadolski]

Hi guys! Thanks for looking this over and for the great comments, all highly appreciated!

Diesel, I didn't use the specific kit for the ES44, but there are a lot of DW parts, from a mix of DW kits and separate parts. I used whatever seemed like a reasonable fit. The air pipes are scratch from wire & styrene, tho DW does make an air pipe kit for Dash9/AC44 and cousins. I did remove portions of the factory-cast underframe, either where they were in the way, or where I had a DW part that seemed better (IIRC the air filters are one example of that). I didn't have too many problems with disassembly, except that on this one the shell was rather tight and took a bit of extra coaxing to gt it started. Not sure if that's characteristic of these IMs or if was just the way this particular one was. BTW thanks for the heads up about the ACe, I have some of those but due to a recent house move all my modeling work is on hold indefinitely, and I'm not sure when I'll be able to re-start my pending projects. Anyways I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work, my friend

Ed

[railfansd40t2]

Love it !
The photos are also really nicely done.

Paulie