Any Reputable Custom Builders?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am waiting on Tower 55 to make the FEC Sd70ACe, but that is atleast several years away from what they told me as FEC is a smaller road in less demand than UP and BNSF. With that being said, I want to have one made. Are there any reputable custom builders? I checked the model railroad magazines and called a few, but I did not feel comfortable without a few good references. I am not trying to make this a solicitation thread, but if anyone had a good experience with a builder, do you mind sharing? I know that they can be expensive, but I would sure like to see oneon my track.

I already have an Alaska SD70 in the similiar paint of the FEC and some flared radiators/grilles to start it off, but I know it needs more work than that to get it closer within reason to prototypical.

2

Don’t use the guy 8500 Gas Turbine used!![:O][:(!][}:)][censored]

3

I built one few months ago, luckly i saved the measurments and sketches and am working on the second one with much more quality http://members.trainorders.com/afbombers/page3.html

besides the frame, trucks, walkway and upper cab its all fabricated from styrene. Though its mostly guestimation and photo reference

4

[bow][:P]! Nice work! Did you do that paint job?

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ya, light colors are a pain im suprised it turned out like it did

6

Looks good on the UP SD70ACe. Tower should be coming out with the UP and the BNSF versions of the SD70ACe before Christmas. That was the last that the guy at T55(sorry, but his name slipped my mind) said to me a few months ago. I may end up probably buying a UP/BNSF SD70Ace and getting it painted and detailed whenever they come out.

I was hoping not to get the guy 8500 Gas Turbine used as I don’t remember his name…lol…it was one reason for this thread.

7

arent FEC locomotives SD70M-2’s? there is a slight difference between a SD70ACE and SD70M-2 is the cabinet behind the conductors side

SD70M-2 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=222354&nseq=67

SD70ACE New Style cabinet http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=225300&nseq=18

Old style cabinet http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=110357&nseq=1868

8

Your right. Is the Alaska SD70 loco not worth using to kitbash or is another one needed to do it? Any idea on anyone making the cab?

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Several of the recently acquired FEC locomotives have stayed painted in the UP scheme and just relettered.

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That would be the SD40-2’s and they are still in UP paint. In fact, you will see them trailing or a few Geeps trailing the Sd70m-2 as FEC found out that the SD70m-2 gets better fuel economy with them than with another SD70m-2 trailing.

Well, I emailed a guy who does the custom work. Last year, he had a 6-8 month waiting period, but now he has closed down to lack of business and another custom builder who he knew for over 10 years also had to let it go as there is less people willing to pay for their services right now.