New Custom Project - SMS Railroad GP38-3
Jan 23, 2024 0:51:09 GMT
dennym57, Adam, and 3 more like this
Post by ron045 on Jan 23, 2024 0:51:09 GMT
Hi All,
I've been planning this project for almost a year... finally time to start hacking up some plastic.
I want to model this very unique GP38-3 from the SMS railroad. This engine has an extended cab for a dual control stand. Most models of the GP38 do not have this option.
Also, at some time in this engine's past it was in a wreck. The rear end was repaired with a SD40 rear porch. So, there is a noticeable gap between the rear wheels and the steps.
I am into deadrail, so all of the electronics get removed and a Blunami 4408 and battery get installed.
I disassembled much of the model and gave it a 48 hour bath in isopropyl alcohol. That got rid of all the paint.
I purchased this MTH engine used at York last Spring. No need to buy something new that I'm going to hack up and put all new electronics in anyway. I got very lucky and also found a GP38 shell I bought for $5. The perfect parts doner for the cab and rear porch.
I cut the porch off the doner and glued it in place. Then I glued in some teflon paper and added some styrene plastic for strength. This model will get Kadee couplers, so I will need the shell to be strong enough to pull a load of freight cars.
I used a baking soda/CA Glue mix to fill the large triangle gap. I was initially going to fill in the other two gaps for the original steps but just decided to face off with styrene. The whole deck gets covered with diamond plate brass anyway. And I sort of need that open space because the handrails attach from underneath the shell.
I took a Dremel to the front ends of both locos. One very carefully and one very haphazardly. A new front window and some styrene made the extended cab.
The extra length in the rear is about one extra handrail stanchion. So I used the donor shell to cut off and extend the handrails also.
I'm ready to do the pilots next. I want fixed pilots and purchased some 3D printed ones from All Nation Line. The fit is not perfect, so the hacking tools will make another appearance to see what we can do.
Custom decals will hopefully be from forum sponsor Highball Graphics. So Jim, if you are out there reading this. Let's talk about some SMS decals.
I'll probably made a video of this, but wanted to share with you fine folks first.
vr
Ron
I've been planning this project for almost a year... finally time to start hacking up some plastic.
I want to model this very unique GP38-3 from the SMS railroad. This engine has an extended cab for a dual control stand. Most models of the GP38 do not have this option.
Also, at some time in this engine's past it was in a wreck. The rear end was repaired with a SD40 rear porch. So, there is a noticeable gap between the rear wheels and the steps.
I am into deadrail, so all of the electronics get removed and a Blunami 4408 and battery get installed.
I disassembled much of the model and gave it a 48 hour bath in isopropyl alcohol. That got rid of all the paint.
I purchased this MTH engine used at York last Spring. No need to buy something new that I'm going to hack up and put all new electronics in anyway. I got very lucky and also found a GP38 shell I bought for $5. The perfect parts doner for the cab and rear porch.
I cut the porch off the doner and glued it in place. Then I glued in some teflon paper and added some styrene plastic for strength. This model will get Kadee couplers, so I will need the shell to be strong enough to pull a load of freight cars.
I used a baking soda/CA Glue mix to fill the large triangle gap. I was initially going to fill in the other two gaps for the original steps but just decided to face off with styrene. The whole deck gets covered with diamond plate brass anyway. And I sort of need that open space because the handrails attach from underneath the shell.
I took a Dremel to the front ends of both locos. One very carefully and one very haphazardly. A new front window and some styrene made the extended cab.
The extra length in the rear is about one extra handrail stanchion. So I used the donor shell to cut off and extend the handrails also.
I'm ready to do the pilots next. I want fixed pilots and purchased some 3D printed ones from All Nation Line. The fit is not perfect, so the hacking tools will make another appearance to see what we can do.
Custom decals will hopefully be from forum sponsor Highball Graphics. So Jim, if you are out there reading this. Let's talk about some SMS decals.
I'll probably made a video of this, but wanted to share with you fine folks first.
vr
Ron
