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Post by MILWmodeler on Mar 24, 2017 15:30:23 GMT -5
I really don't know why I'm building this one. It doesn't fit the era I model, but for some reason I'm drawn to little switchers. Plus, my donor loco only cost $15. My prototype  The things I'm trying to correct on the Bachmann model are: - Louver location, move from ends to sides.
- Adding access door and grab irons to end
- Opening up the pilots
- New number boards
- Create headlight hood
- Enlarging the window openings
- Removing the vents on top of the hoods
- New handrails to match prototype
- Moving step location and styling to match prototype
- Removing excess mold lines and seams
- Changing radius of hood and cab to more closer match prototype
- Modify coupler location for correct coupler height
- DCC with sound and Keep Alive
- Have fun?
My donor. It's a custom painted gen1 Bachmann. Once I committed to this project, I bought a second gen2 44 tonner with the better drive. The shells are identical.
Cutting out the louvers. 
Unnecessary details shaved and styrene plug ready for install. 
Plug in and beginning the process of enlarging the windows. 
Time for an alcohol bath. If anyone wonders, this ziplock bag technique saves on 91%IPA. I only used about 6 ounces and had a clean shell in a little over an hour.
Probably the weakest aspect of my modeling is when it comes to puttying. I'm using Tamiya White because the LHS doesn't carry Squadron. I find it too gritty even for my skill level. I promise, when I begin sanding, this will look better again.
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Mar 24, 2017 17:21:29 GMT -5
Nice! More orange and black!
As I recall the 44 tonners were kind of short lived on the Milwaukee, but cool locos none the less. I have to check my diesel book for the details.
Your off to a nice start. Precision scale has a bunch of headlight casings, I'm sure one would at least be close.
Which bachmann do you have, the old 2 motor version, the single motor or the DCC onboard one (I'm guess I g not the last because of the price). I've got a DCC onboard version for a bocab project, CNW though not Milwaukee, that runs terrible.
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Post by MILWmodeler on Mar 24, 2017 18:08:36 GMT -5
It's the single motor version. I'll gut the circuitry when I install my DCC chip. I prefer to rewire engines verses using DCC ready. Trying to cram a decoder, speaker, and capacitor under this shell is going to be a trick.
For the headlights, I was thinking of using a hole punch on thin styrene to create the hood. By the time I get to that step, I may change my technique. I unfortunately ruined one of the lens cases when I removed them from the shell; walked away for too long after applying Un-Cure. Look carefully enough and you can see where one of the hoods is slightly rippled from this. That'll all be fixed with putty, but I will have to find new lenses.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2017 21:05:32 GMT -5
Cal scale has a hooded set of switcher headlights I have a pair that's going on an NW2 when that unit makes its way across the build table.
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Post by MILWmodeler on Mar 25, 2017 0:40:23 GMT -5
Cal scale has a hooded set of switcher headlights I have a pair that's going on an NW2 when that unit makes its way across the build table. I looked through their catalog and didn't find anything like I need for this project. Do you have a part number to recommend? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2017 1:14:16 GMT -5
Walthers listing #190-414 cal scale just looked at mine and there are several on flea bay.
Just an fyi.
Hope this helps.
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Post by MILWmodeler on Mar 25, 2017 1:25:30 GMT -5
Walthers listing #190-414 cal scale just looked at mine and there are several on flea bay. Just an fyi. Hope this helps. Thanks. I wondered if that's the one you were referring to, but that's not the right visor for my prototype. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 2:22:35 GMT -5
Your proto pic just finally showed itself that is the stock Bachmann headlight and you would need to build the shield for it.
Now that i have seen the actual light your speaking of and Bachmann has the stock headlights in their parts section listed with the 44 tonner if you weren't able to save the originals.
That's the closest I can come up with hope this helps.
Sorry for the misunderstanding
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Post by MILWmodeler on Mar 29, 2017 15:03:46 GMT -5
Working on opening up the last window. Whittling is not very fun, but I don't know of a better way to do this. Originally I had thought about using a dremel in a jig, but I didn't like my setup. Anyone have a better technique?  |
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Post by poweredby251 on Apr 6, 2017 23:14:17 GMT -5
There was a picture on Ebay of 990 in Tacoma WA in March 1966, and another in EMD's scrap line in 1967, so that gives a pretty accurate idea of it;s final days. It's sister engine 991 was sometimes used in Wabasha MN in the early 60's, as was Whitcomb 44 tonner 993. By my modeling period of 1973, a Baldwin was used there.
John
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Apr 7, 2017 17:16:47 GMT -5
I just looked this up in my diesel book but now can't remember the exact dates. I think the Milwaukee used them for about 20 years before retiring them. Late 1950s is what I'm thinking. After that they went to a small railroad, or it may have been a large on-line customer, in Minnesota for an in plant switcher.
They did end up having a rather long life.
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