SH&W GP38 #4501- Part Finished!

[shwrailroader]

Well, with it being a 3 day weekend I managed to get time to atleast get started with what was on my workbench. This was the scene this morning of Sand Hill and Western GP38 Non-Dynamic Version #4501:



I managed to find a open craft store (Micheal's) at was open today. I walked in and bought the last can of Testor's Flat Primer Gray and with them not having any flat yellow, I wondered over to the regular spraypaint aisle where I found a can of Valspar Odds and Ends Sun Yellow which is a gloss but when I get the Dullcote on it it should dim it down

So I sprayed the unit with the Primer, let it set the full 30 minutes and then used 3M Blue Tape to mask off the ends and then applied the Sun Yellow. Here is the way it looks for today:

[drgwguy]

James, The Sand Hill is going to see black next, right? Make sure and take your time taping over the yellow, as it'll be harder to touch-up yellow over black versus black over yellow.

Looking good!

Rick

[quadk]

Good jump on her already.

[sd45longhoodfoward]

rock on!!!!looks good so far!

[shwrailroader]

Ok Sports Fans...

Today after doing a bit of real world Railfanning, and dodging some rain drops, the clouds and wind let up enough to spray on the black final coat to SH&W 4501. There will need to be some touch-up in a few areas with a very minute brush. Enjoy!





All Color Taping was again layed out with 3M Blue Painter's Tape.

[drgwguy]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!! Looking even better! I'm excited to see this bad boy(or girl?) done!

Rick

[shwrailroader]

Steam and Diesels are referred to as the Female. She does look sweet

[tpwillie]

Looks nice so far!

I do have a question. Why did you mask off to paint the yellow? Doesn't that make it harder to mask for the black as now the masking must match exactly the yellow edge? It seems to me that if the yellow was just painted on and then masked for the black it would be easier and also makes sure there are not "misses" spots that show primer?

What am I missing here?

Thanks,

Lou

[shwrailroader]

Hey Lou, thanks for the compliment. I was able to mask off the yellow areas that I had already painted quite easily. I have a problem (and I'm really a beginner at painting Undecorated Shells FYI ) of over spraying. I was able to come back with a very fine (a few bristle) brush and go over the areas where the Yellow and Black meet.

Your way would have been easier, and Ill try that process for the next shell i'll be doing which is a GP50 shell sometime after this GP38 winds its way onto my club's layout.

[conrailmike]

Get yourself an airbrush James Looks good, will this be done in time for the open house?

[diesel]

That's a sweet paint job! You did that all with spray cans? This is for the club scheme you were asking about the black striped ends right? Nice, if you do ever get an airbrush I think you'll like it. Nice job!

[shwrailroader]

Yes Dan that is correct. It was sprayed with:

1st Coat: Testor's "Flat Gray Primer"
Yellow Ends: Valspar "Odds and Ends Sun Yellow"
Black Coat: Testor's "Flat Black"

I do need to invest in an airbrash set, and have been looking. For right now, I like the can approach as it worked better than anticipated.

Mike, I hope she will, I have the DCC the chassis this weekend and get the decals from another club member as well as go order the Microscale Striping.

[shwrailroader]

Ok so this evening I installed a Digitrax DCC DH123AT Decoder inside (my first installation that i've attempted ) as well as added the new Kadee short shank #5 couplers. Going to try to program her and test her at the club tomorrow!





I am praying I know how to follow the Digitrax directions. She's going to need some new plastic holding clips as these were so old they partially cracked while trying to remove the motor and place the black insulation tape to insulate the chassis. Wish me luck!

[shwrailroader]

Testing went well today, she is programmed and pulls well. Needs decals still and also the finishing details. Here she is with SH&W 4-4-2 Atlantic #200 and Norfolk and Western J Class #611 at the SH&W Roundhouse.

[quadk]

Nice job James!

[shwrailroader]

Thanks guys for all the kind words. I was able to fix the DCC Decoder and also install the railings kits from Athearn. Still awaiting Decals... But here she is:

[shwrailroader]

And now...... the peace to resistance... presenting SH&W 4501!







Adding still some minor detailing... Numberboards... a Beacon... Plows... Lights

[shwrailroader]

Proud to say that this unit has been running well, until last week. Unfortunately, I blew a decoder. But, when running it was load tested to haul 15 cars up a 2% grade without effort.