Post by CP_8530 on May 12, 2010 23:59:03 GMT -5
Nose grabs. I hate 'em, you probably hate 'em, but adding nose grab irons to units that had them gives them that completed, more detailed look.
Canadian Pacific gave a bunch of its passenger-service F-units a ladder of grab irons up the engineers' side of the unit, presumably for better access to the nose area to wash/clean the windshields. This included extending/relocating a grab or two to be in line with this "ladder", and cutting a hole in the pilot for a step. See:
www.cprdieselroster.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%204000/CTCUM%204070-1.jpg
I had one unit that I was putting off the treatment to, but finally dug up enough photos and reference shots to make up my mind to get the ball rolling. Part of the problem was I was a little hesitant about drilling holes in the nose of a $125 Intermountain unit without proper research.
So, after getting a headache studying all the shots I pulled up online, I lightly marked the initial holes out with a pencil on the side of the unit. Upon further studying, I moved a few a bit to get them aligned. Then I pulled out the ol' drill and made a few holes, and got the steel wire out to bend. That part took a while. Lots of test-fitting and re-bending with pliars to get a good match.
Yay, the hard work is done ;D
Then begain the process of making sure they were lined up properly before gluing. A dab of Testor's cement secured them from the inside of the shell. Of course, I had to make sure none were sticking out too far inside to avoid any interference with the frame/chassis. Add a bit of yellow paint and:
I'm pleased with how it turned out. A grab or two may look slightly unlevel, but the prototype units had that as well
The holes do appear a tad big, but it's hardly noticable from further away. When I get out the grey to paint-match for the horn, I might put a drop or two in the holes to close them up.
And there's still two roof grabs I need to install, among other things.
Canadian Pacific gave a bunch of its passenger-service F-units a ladder of grab irons up the engineers' side of the unit, presumably for better access to the nose area to wash/clean the windshields. This included extending/relocating a grab or two to be in line with this "ladder", and cutting a hole in the pilot for a step. See:
www.cprdieselroster.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%204000/CTCUM%204070-1.jpg
I had one unit that I was putting off the treatment to, but finally dug up enough photos and reference shots to make up my mind to get the ball rolling. Part of the problem was I was a little hesitant about drilling holes in the nose of a $125 Intermountain unit without proper research.
So, after getting a headache studying all the shots I pulled up online, I lightly marked the initial holes out with a pencil on the side of the unit. Upon further studying, I moved a few a bit to get them aligned. Then I pulled out the ol' drill and made a few holes, and got the steel wire out to bend. That part took a while. Lots of test-fitting and re-bending with pliars to get a good match.
Yay, the hard work is done ;D
Then begain the process of making sure they were lined up properly before gluing. A dab of Testor's cement secured them from the inside of the shell. Of course, I had to make sure none were sticking out too far inside to avoid any interference with the frame/chassis. Add a bit of yellow paint and:
I'm pleased with how it turned out. A grab or two may look slightly unlevel, but the prototype units had that as well
The holes do appear a tad big, but it's hardly noticable from further away. When I get out the grey to paint-match for the horn, I might put a drop or two in the holes to close them up.And there's still two roof grabs I need to install, among other things.
I think the venting/grille configuration at the top may be different on the prototype though.