Post by dltorres on Dec 21, 2010 23:50:00 GMT -5
Some time ago I’ve introduced myself but my free time not allowed me to post any of my projects. Now, I have the opportunity to write about my newest finished custom work, the MTH SD70ACE BNSF #9374 DCC-Ready.
The main reason that was considered to custom this model was the Ditch lights attached to the front handrails. Some other minor details, like the cabin numbers size, MU cables and air hoses not prototypes bothered me and were redone too.
Real locomotive photos were obtained from locophotos.com. Looking at the them I’ve decided to modify the cabin numbers, removing the original ones with alcohol. New ones by Microscale were applied. Decal softening solution by badger was used to increase their fixing, and finally, they were sealed w/ dull coat.
Original looking
After new numbers applied and Anti skid nose painted.
All details used are from Details West and Detail Associates.
Details Associates:
-MU air hoses #1508
Details West:
-MU Cable W/ Double ended receptacle MU-236 (cable custom done w/ .015 bronze wire)
-Ditch lights w/ Lenses DL-228
-Air hose locomotive, drop elbow style AH-302
-Engine & Cabose step light SL-172
-Air filter Set AF-311
Making the Front Handrails:
The hardest part was rebuilding the front handrails. The additional stanchions were obtained from a kato C44-9W front handrail which will not be used in my next project. The front stanchions are the original. The lateral ones were replaced from the kato. Bronze wire (.015) was used to reproduce the handrail. It was bent like the original MTH front handrail. Two extra holes were done at the front floor to fix the new stanchions. The two original ditch light holes were closed w/ putty.
Making the new handrail
The new front handrails
Holes closeup
Installing new ditch lights:
Two extra holes at the front floor were done to install the ditch lights. SMD OSRAM Leds were used at this project. The wires were parallel soldered to each led direct in the ditch lights board. The original ones weren’t removed.
Ditch lights w/ SMD Led
Ditch lights floor holes
Testing ditch lights fit
MU Cable:
Observing the original locomotive, there is one extra MU doors that MTH model hasn’t. The cable length of MU-236 isn’t enough to be used, so new cable should be attached to the MU plugs.
Details read to be installed
Mu doors
Air hoses:
Not much to say, they were painted, and then matted dull coated.
Air filter set and Step lights:
Silver painted and dull coated. Parts installed based on the real locomotive.
NCE decoder installed. Number boards and ditch lights at 3 and 4 outputs
Some photos of the finished project above.
Finalizing, I apologize for any English mistake, it’s my second language.
The main reason that was considered to custom this model was the Ditch lights attached to the front handrails. Some other minor details, like the cabin numbers size, MU cables and air hoses not prototypes bothered me and were redone too.
Real locomotive photos were obtained from locophotos.com. Looking at the them I’ve decided to modify the cabin numbers, removing the original ones with alcohol. New ones by Microscale were applied. Decal softening solution by badger was used to increase their fixing, and finally, they were sealed w/ dull coat.
Original looking
After new numbers applied and Anti skid nose painted.
All details used are from Details West and Detail Associates.
Details Associates:
-MU air hoses #1508
Details West:
-MU Cable W/ Double ended receptacle MU-236 (cable custom done w/ .015 bronze wire)
-Ditch lights w/ Lenses DL-228
-Air hose locomotive, drop elbow style AH-302
-Engine & Cabose step light SL-172
-Air filter Set AF-311
Making the Front Handrails:
The hardest part was rebuilding the front handrails. The additional stanchions were obtained from a kato C44-9W front handrail which will not be used in my next project. The front stanchions are the original. The lateral ones were replaced from the kato. Bronze wire (.015) was used to reproduce the handrail. It was bent like the original MTH front handrail. Two extra holes were done at the front floor to fix the new stanchions. The two original ditch light holes were closed w/ putty.
Making the new handrail
The new front handrails
Holes closeup
Installing new ditch lights:
Two extra holes at the front floor were done to install the ditch lights. SMD OSRAM Leds were used at this project. The wires were parallel soldered to each led direct in the ditch lights board. The original ones weren’t removed.
Ditch lights w/ SMD Led
Ditch lights floor holes
Testing ditch lights fit
MU Cable:
Observing the original locomotive, there is one extra MU doors that MTH model hasn’t. The cable length of MU-236 isn’t enough to be used, so new cable should be attached to the MU plugs.
Details read to be installed
Mu doors
Air hoses:
Not much to say, they were painted, and then matted dull coated.
Air filter set and Step lights:
Silver painted and dull coated. Parts installed based on the real locomotive.
NCE decoder installed. Number boards and ditch lights at 3 and 4 outputs
Some photos of the finished project above.
Finalizing, I apologize for any English mistake, it’s my second language.
. Your other advices were followed and let me know if I done everything correctly, thanks.
