New Jersey Transit Alstom PL42AC

[cab4]

I have obtained the first available PL42AC in HO scale. This was the only model in existence other than the display model at the show I was at.

So far, this one seems like it won't be difficult either. there is very little as far as details go on the PL42AC, but thats not going to stop me from adding every little detail i can find.

The paint job is a little rough, but it only has to be straight where black touches silver. Everywhere else, there is a decal strip to go over it, so i'm not to concerned as long as the finish is good.

So far i've painted it. The kit comes with Brass radiator fans and grills, but i have not installed them yet.





This is one of three new NJ transit models i'm working on.

I'm building an Arrow III set-

dieseldetailer.proboards53.com/index.cgi?board=ot&action=display&thread=735

and an ALP46-

dieseldetailer.proboards53.com/index.cgi?board=ot&action=display&thread=734

[nysw240]

Can you send me the link to there website. I may need a few PL42AC .

[nysw240]

Thanks Mark . I built IHPs GP40FH-2 about a year ago ( i think there is pictures on this fourm) . now I have to buy Island models works DL&W mu cars ,A few SW1001s , 4 of the NJT bi levels 3 of the commet 1s IVs and a PL42AC but thats talken at least 1,000.00 and plus the drives paint and detail parts. i may just get 4 of the DL&W mu cars for now ;D

[cab4]

Yeah, i think i've finally found a solution to the decal problem.

MS train simulator.

How can that be? Basically, MS simulators have "skins" for all their stuff (be it planes or trains). Technically, all you have to do export the skin file into something like MS paint, or some program where you can properly scale it, then print it out on some decal paper. If the original artist for the train simulator file was good, then you should have a viable faded stripe, as well as decals for other complicated situations.

[cab4]

Well, i've touched up the paint and addted the fans and grills that came with the kit, i just need decals and a frame, and I should have this thing rolling!

[cab4]

Well, i got the decals and frame, and it is nearly rolling, except for the fact that the front pilot is to short, and its entirely possible the rear pilot is to long!

I plan to solve this by lowering the front pilot to the height of the rear pilot, since everything else can be fixed from there.

the frame is a slab of aluminum with provisions for athearn B style trucks. it is a roomy in the shell, so sound (if available, since the PL42AC has an un-turbocharged 710 with special mufflers that change the sound quite a bit), and more weight should be easy to add.

the side frames aren't bad either, except they try to pull a "aem7" by placing the cab ladders as part of the side frames. I'm thinking i'll shave that off and may my own ladders for the cab sides. I'll post pictures when i have the problem rectified

[cnj1524]

How do the decals look? PIC? still weary about buying one
from IMW because of the problems with the comet 5 cab I
got with a warped frame,told him about it,he sends another
one and that is warped as well

[cab4]

the PL42AC shell has some problems with it, notably that either the front pilot is to high up, or rear pilot is to low. I'm pretty sure its a combination of both. there is one other issue, but i'll get to that later.

The first set of advice is to make sure the stripes are as centered as possible in the ribs of the locomotive, but if you have to, let them be offset towards the bottom of the shell. On mine, the decal stripes were even, but they all shifted torwards the top when they dried, so now you can't see the color stripes so easy from above.

The decals are fine. there were only three major problems. they did not come with white stripes skinny enough for the front of the cab. this isnt a big deal, you can get these stripes in most cases

the second is that the NJ transit logos for the nose and rear are to big in the set. You'll need the ones from the NJ transit passenger car decal sheets.

third isn't so much a decal problem as it is applying them to the shell. Not all the ribs and things line up like they do on the prototype (although there are the correct number of them), so the white line above the faded stripes won't line up totally correctly.

for example, the white on the prototype is the same height throughout, but on the model, the white line is higher up on the center and rear sections than where it would be on the nose of the model. If you keep the rear white line (past the engine doors) level with the mid section white line, it will pass over the rear door handrail instead of below that handle.

You can fix this by only using three of four "faded disco" stripes, but then you'll have a skinier color section.

I had already put down the color stripes before realizing this, so i just went with it. I have to take an updated picture of the PL42AC, but here is where i was at a couple hours ago.

You can decide if you like it. Again, i haven't added all the decals.



PL42AC frame. It goes on with a little sanding and fitting to the inside of the frame.

[cnj1524]

Looks good,when you said the frame was a slab that
is the best way to describe it,I send Empire a email about the
decals and if he can send me a pic on how accurate they are
will see what he says,BTW the arrow looks great with that
alclad paint

[cab4]

the decals themselves except for the nose NJ transit logo are 100% accurate. these decals are made by microscale for this company custom.

[cnj1524]

I was looking at the truck side frames and was wondering how
they are to mount to the athearn trucks?How is your progress
coming along

[cab4]

Mar 15, 2009 6:21:08 GMT -5 cnj1524 said:

I was looking at the truck side frames and was wondering how
they are to mount to the Athearn trucks?How is your progress
coming along

there are some more decals on, but otherwise I've ground to a halt, life gets in the way sometimes, lol.

the truck side frames come in two pieces. the side frames themselves are flat castings. there is a piece that plugs into the athearn truck that is flat on one side, and you glue the side frame to this adapter piece.

[nysw240]

Great job! I got my first railpace shot of the 4008 or 4003 i dont have the book with me its in the Feb 2009 issue

[jhilden]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I no idea that this locomotive is available; might have to move it on the to do list since these runs tend to end shot. Oh well, another project in the queue, I have not even set up shop yet

Also, when in college, for six months, I interned for the consulting firm that was hired by NJT to oversee the project. One of my jobs was to travel up to Hornel NY and ride in the cab during the test runs for evaluation and giving the OK for shipment to NJT.

Was a great summer, when not in Hornel, all I did was ride around the NJT system in the cabs of just about all of the motive power running at the time (Mostly the ALP's and the PL42AC's clearance tests). For the few days I was in the office, my boss would actually apologize that I had to be out in the field all the time . "Oh no problem boss, I will gladly do the cab ride job from Hoboken to Port Jervis." He actually thought I was a hard charging model employee. ;D

[stevef45]

Do you have a picture of teh decal sheet from empire? I had inquired about them and was told they would not sell them unless I bought the model from him. Asked about P40 decals and was told samething. I recently bought the decals sheets from island model works for the PL42AC. Decals look great, but they aren't going on a PL42AC.

Also is that frame the one from islandmodel works? Where are you supposed to mount the motor without hitting the roof on the shell?

[cab4]

Nov 14, 2009 19:29:57 GMT -5 stevef45 said:

Also is that frame the one from islandmodel works? Where are you supposed to mount the motor without hitting the roof on the shell?

It won't hit the roof. You just need to get the Athearn GP35 Motor Cradle Weight from Proto-Power West/A-line. you can get the rest of the stuff you need while you're at it.

[cab4]

This model has got some dust on it, but its a little closer to being finished. the detailing portion of it will be around soon.