GE B32-8

[danraitz]

This weekend I started working on a couple of the GE B32-8's. I'm going to be doing them for my Minnesota International Railway. But they will be the ex: BN demos #5497 - #5499.
I'll be using the Sept/Oct 1990, Diesel Era article and the Sept. 1990 MR article as references. I will also be using Ed Ryan's 2 part article on the NS C39-8's in the Aug/93 and Sept/93 RMC for some modeling/detailing techniques.

I'll be posting in-work photos soon.

Here is a shot of the prototype.
www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=44589

[danraitz]

I decided to first start with detailing the operators cab.

As you can see there are some problems with the stock RPP cab.



In following Ed Ryan's article I was able to redo the windows. This technique gives the impression of window gaskets plus the rounded corners.



In following Ed's lead I also decided to fix the doors by sanding off the the raised bead and overlaying the door with .005" styrene.


Enjoy

[danraitz]

Here is the first cab pretty much complete.





Enjoy

[icghogger]

Excellent Work, Dan, Me Likee!!

[railfanalex]

That's a very cool prototype to be building, and you've done a super job on the cab so far! Can't wait to see more.

[danraitz]

Just a few photo's showing how I did the class lights. I used a set of class lights from a Cannon & Co. EMD nose kit. They were item #9 on the parts sprue.









enjoy

[Randy Earle]

Now yer cookin wth gas Dan!

[conrailnut2484]

Like other said can't wait to see the rest of the model

[m a y o r 79]

I agree with Mike, if the cab looks that good I cant wait to see what the rest looks like!

[riss2509]

following this with high interest, great work!

[diesel]

wow Dan!

This looks like it's gonna be a really nice model. Those are nice mods to the cab, you've got a lot of study there!

Once again, a project in my pile being made easy for me as I will NO DOUBT follow your example when it comes to mine.

I can't wait to see what you do to replace the grilles if you do. I was thinking of splicing cannon grilles together to get the proper match for this shell.

[Freightrain]

Ok, I'm foaming at the mouth now LOL, I've been wanting to do a couple of these units.

[sd45longhoodfoward]

now that is an excellent combination of talent dedication Patience and love of the game not to mention FUN!!!!!!

[danraitz]

Finally got around to doing some more work on these units.

Yup, it's time for some razor saw surgery! ;D

First I laid out where the cuts were going to be, as-per Keith Mangels B32-8 article in the Sept. 1990 MR.





I did my cuts on the black unit first, just to make sure I wasn't going to have any problems.
Here is a shot showing the shortened black unit next to the un-modified light gray unit.

[danraitz]

Now it is the light gray units turn under the knife!

I first make one cut on the left side across the top and down the right side to the walkway.



Then by using the back of a hobby knife to scribe out the plastic above the walkway. Then finished the cut on the engineers side (aft of the step down).


Here she is in 2 pieces.

[danraitz]

Now it's time to break out the sanding sticks/blocks.

One tip I've found helpfull when it comes to ensuring a square & straight unit. Use a mirror to check your work. By setting the piece your working on, upright on a mirror you can easily see if it is or isn't square.

You look down the walkway, you can see that this one came out pretty good. ;D

Here are a couple of shot showing them ready to go back together. Just a little more fine tuning with some sanding sticks.








That's it for the MAJOR body work. Now it's just a matter of up-grading details and other stuff.

So far I'm happy with how it's gone so far. ;D

[Randy Earle]

It's hard to get straight cuts Dan, good job!

[icghogger]

Nice Slicing and Dicing Techniques, Dan, Very Well Done!!

[m a y o r 79]

Gotta love razor saw surgery. The splicing turned out nice. I like your mirror trick, I may need to borrow that idea.

[diesel]

woohoo! nice work Dan!