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Post by xcandiottix on Nov 9, 2014 12:52:14 GMT -5
Hello All, I've always been really fascinated with B units. I remember seeing a slug or two operating in the Cicero, IL BN yard growing up and would love to model one. So far, I have only found a few pictures online of anything close. The first unit is BN #442. It looks to be a SW1200 (I think) that the shop possibly removed the cab from. The other units are BN ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3. It's not obvious to me what these units do as they don't appear to have fuel tanks or exhaust stacks. The above units are a good starting point but not exactly what I am after. The ideal real life unit for me would be to use The Belt Railway Co. of Chicago's #513 (a real sw7 calf unit) as a guide to build and detail from. Then paint it for the BN. The goal for this build is: - Have a DCC operational SW7 calf unit for assisting in switching duties in a major yard on the layout
- Make something that, if not really owned by BN, at least looks as believable as possible.
- Weather this unit down to make it appear as if it is in it's last year of operational duty. (As far as I can tell BN retired most of its SW7 fleet in the 80's?).
The plan for this build is: - Source an SW7 calf unit (Bought Athearn blue box off of ebay in BN colors)
- Find prototype photos/examples (Above)
- Insulate frame (done 11/8)
- Add N scale DCC; possibly sound (recommendations?)
- Detail shell
- Add lighting
- Repaint
- Decal
- Weather
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Post by poweredby251 on Nov 9, 2014 14:20:35 GMT -5
ET-1, 2 and 3 were rebuilt from NP Baldwin switchers.
John |
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Post by kfallsbn on Nov 9, 2014 15:17:55 GMT -5
BN 442 was a SW10, ordered as CB&Q 9329 in 1970.
Using the "SW 7" would be a "rough" way to model 442.
(It's your railroad - do what you want. Heaven knows I do !)
If you want the 442, I'd start with Athearn's SW10.
Wesley
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Post by poweredby251 on Nov 9, 2014 15:23:45 GMT -5
For those unfamiliar to BN, SW-10 is BN speak for an SW-1000. They also call the SW-1500 an SW-15.
John
BN 442 was a SW10, ordered as CB&Q 9329 in 1970. Using the "SW 7" would be a "rough" way to model 442. (It's your railroad - do what you want. Heaven knows I do !) If you want the 442, I'd start with Athearn's SW10. Wesley |
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Post by xcandiottix on Nov 9, 2014 15:42:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the info poweredby251. kfallsbn, I found the pics of BN #442 after I already ordered the sw7 calf unit unfortunately. So, I'm thinking I might use 442 as inspiration but model the Belt's #513. Does anyone make a detail kit for the SW7? I can of course just add any cab parts to the spare parts bin.  |
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Post by icghogger on Nov 10, 2014 9:05:14 GMT -5
Nice work!!
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Post by xcandiottix on Nov 10, 2014 22:31:45 GMT -5
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Post by xcandiottix on Nov 22, 2014 20:52:04 GMT -5
Today, I hopped on the subway to visit Trainworld in Brooklyn. I picked up a TCS 1006-M1 Micro N/HO scale 2 function decoder for about $30. I plan to use this decoder for locos that I want to run before doing detail work so I thought this would be a good choice. For now, I'll be adding this to my slug so I can operate it on the club layout. After I finish some other projects I'll come back to this and upgrade to sound. Until then, here's the steps I took to get her running.
 Here's what you get:  I won't be adding an operational headlight to this unit yet so I only stripped back the rail and motor wires from the decoder.  I then made mechanical connections with the truck wires and tinned everything. I'll eventually want to remove this decoder so I didn't twist the decoder wires in too much. A touch of the iron connected everything.  I wrapped the unused function wires around the decoder and taped them up. To protect my solders from shorting, I covered them in liquid electric tape and let it dry.  I carefully tucked the decoder and excess wires above the rear truck and lowered the shell on. Make sure none of your wires get pinched between the shell and the frame. Also, wiggle the trucks and make sure they swivel freely. If they don't, your wires are bunched against them and it could cause derailments over switches and curves.  When it comes to entering my loco into the club's JMRI I'll want to know which decoder to load up. An easy way to remember is to write it underneath the loco with a sharpie.  Since I'm not detailing this loco yet I went ahead and added the blue box handrails. They aren't great but they add some depth to this model for now. This slug should be ready to hit the yard when the next heavy mixed freight needs to be broken down.  |
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Post by diesel on Nov 22, 2014 21:38:00 GMT -5
Wow Keith, I didn't realize you weathered these already.
Did you get a chance to run those last night?
These two should be able to handle the grade at the end
of Schnieder Yard!
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Post by xcandiottix on Nov 22, 2014 23:13:08 GMT -5
Wow Keith, I didn't realize you weathered these already. Did you get a chance to run those last night? These two should be able to handle the grade at the end of Schnieder Yard! Yo Dan! I didn't end up going to club last night so I could work on this as well as the car card program. I was thinking about going today but instead I went down to Trainworld. Maybe tomorrow I'll go for a few hours. As for the weathering, I just did the slug because I wanted to practice some techniques. I didn't seal it but I'm not worried about it because once I'm ready to detail it I'll end up stripping it down and repainting anyway. I didn't weather the SW8 yet .. I'm debating what will become of that loco. Who knows what will happen if I am bored an hour from now though! Thanks for all your help on this so far, this is all because of your advice! |
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Nov 23, 2014 8:38:53 GMT -5
This will be an interesting build to follow. Ive got an sw7 cow/calf set on the bench right now also. Mine are going to become a Milwaukee Road TR-4 set.
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Post by xcandiottix on Nov 23, 2014 13:42:06 GMT -5
This will be an interesting build to follow. Ive got an sw7 cow/calf set on the bench right now also. Mine are going to become a Milwaukee Road TR-4 set. Cool, I'd be really interested to know what your parts list will be. I'm currently researching detail parts myself. |
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Post by diesel on Nov 25, 2014 2:02:48 GMT -5
A good place to dig for parts for this project is right in the switchers part of the EMD section of this forum. There are many builds there and some have, well not necessarily a parts list but parts mentioned in the conversation of the thread. It's a backburner idea to look for a source of fine screen for the grilles. I've heard the only guy who made such an etch for this hobby stopped making them a while ago, so I've looked in hardware stores, craft stores and found only this link: www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh-by-projectIf you go through there there is some fine mesh, but I'm not sure if it'd be a good match for any of a switcher's grilles. |
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