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Post by ironstef70 on Jan 12, 2020 21:33:28 GMT -5
I felt like doing something different during the holidays, so I dug into my parts boxes and got the idea of using a few of these Promotex white cabs for something a bit less standard.
I first started by correcting the CN boom truck which was a poorly made job initially, as back then, the idea was more about using scrap parts which I wanted to recycle. I just have rebuilt the whole platforms (brass) and also made corrections to the resin frame which was sitting overly higher. It is now level with the front.
Besides, I also wanted to have a good tractor for a lowbed trailer which I would eventually use for displaying Custom Finishing Models MOW equipment that I will build eventually. Since I had that idea, I found a website of a contractor who designs special crane/service trucks, which got me inspired:
Here are the two units that I wished to go with:
As nothing happens for nothing, I also came across this unit on the way back from friends:
So I was even more anxious to be back at my workbench.
Here is how it is progressing:
Truck #1 will be a Pete 367, then truck #2 will be a KW from Progress Rail, as they happen to be a distributor for Kersaw MOW equipment. Both will have cranes and will be used around the layout for modern scenarios of track maintenance.
I've also decided to build welding units in the making. IN CN truck bed, unpainted.
This is the Pete's underframe, and freshly painted air hoses (brass wires which I have twisted around a needle).
Stephane
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Post by sbcarshops on Jan 31, 2020 2:59:12 GMT -5
Wow! Absolutely awesome trucks and that big crane in the middle of the one wow! But great progress starting out too! Can't wait to see the progress!!!
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Post by ironstef70 on Jan 31, 2020 21:52:21 GMT -5
Thanks SB.
Indeed, I have now painted both the trucks and cranes, and I shall add decals this week, along with finishing the outriggers, which will be fully functional, unlike the plastic cranes, which I did not felt like re-building in brass. I would probably have spent 2-3 weeks on that just for having them functioning. The actual cranes are articulated, but so easy to crack around the holes that I forgot about the idea of repositioning them. I won't totally glue them, but I won't change them positions.
All in all, the only plastic parts on the trucks will be the cranes, cab accessories, and wheels. I even replaced the Pete's exhaust pipe by a brass one, as I broke the original. It took me just a bit more time to scratchbuild than reglue the original. Still, the cabs are beautiful die cast parts with glossy, but not overly thick paint: I like them. And white makes it easy for decals, and is the standard commercial color.
Here are pictures of both of them just before painting.
S
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Post by ironstef70 on Feb 1, 2020 12:11:17 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I am purposely "aging" the brass and copper parts before painting, hence why the frames are looking as if they were 20 years old. This step extends the process by a couple days, but allows for better paint adherence, as polished brass is prone to chipping, even if washed in unleaded gas as I usually do. Time is not a factor to me, as I don't work for customers. And I usually have others cookies on the stove anyways. 
Speaking of which, I will resume with the SW1500 later this week, as I have fixed the trucks short circuit issue.
S. |
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Post by sbcarshops on Feb 5, 2020 16:22:27 GMT -5
Wow! Absolutely superb work as always! Its good to see the progression and spot on craftsmanship! I like the idea of the pre-aged look and something to keep in the vault for later! Cant wait to see the finished ones! I have some parts from Walthers on the way so hopefully I can get back onto mine too!
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Post by ironstef70 on Feb 6, 2020 19:59:42 GMT -5
Wow! Absolutely superb work as always! Its good to see the progression and spot on craftsmanship! I like the idea of the pre-aged look and something to keep in the vault for later! Cant wait to see the finished ones! I have some parts from Walthers on the way so hopefully I can get back onto mine too! Thanks for the nice comment. But I am still learning every weeks, and the aging step for completed brass projects is now mandatory, as it really allows for better paint adherence. Using a primer makes for thick paint and details loss (such as the several diamond plated surfaces for these trucks). Then leaving to bare polished brass is prone to paint chipping. So far, that's best way I have found to date.
S
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Post by ironstef70 on Feb 6, 2020 20:11:11 GMT -5
Now here are the completed projects.
As a reminder, both of these are inspired by units manufactured by FRF, as mentioned above, but are not part of PNR or Progress Rail fleet that I am aware of. I do model both CN and CP railroads, and I wanted to be able to use these trucks in different servicing situations.
Still, both trucks were inspired from this manufacturer, which are doing fine machinery: frfcanada.com/
Both the Progress Rail Kenworth, and the PNR Railworks Pete have functioning outriggers. The visible Lincoln Electric welding unit on the KW is an accessory and not part of the KW truck. They shall be part of MOW action on our Club layout eventually. Hope you enjoy.  PNR Railworks Pete 1 by Ironstef70, sur Flickr
PNR Railworks Pete 2 by Ironstef70, sur Flickr
Stephane |
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Post by sbcarshops on Feb 11, 2020 17:45:58 GMT -5
Those trucks are amazing! You captured them really well and a true inspiration... and the working outriggers is something I would not have thought of but add so much to the model too!
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Post by ironstef70 on Feb 12, 2020 16:37:43 GMT -5
Those trucks are amazing! You captured them really well and a true inspiration... and the working outriggers is something I would not have thought of but add so much to the model too! Thanks, and yeah, the outriggers were the compromise for letting the cranes static.
I'm most satisfied with the brass mud flaps. Their thickness, ability to shape them and add decals makes for more realism, and the lowboy trailer was the very first attempt, as it got 8 of them. Being happy with those, I moved on adding some to the trucks.
Also special thanks to BVRail, my RR Club for letting me use the layout for pictures. We're in the process of making a very nice layout, thanks to the work of a dozen dedicated fellow members.
S
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