I recently obtained an undecorated Athearn blue box SW-1000 and am painting for my railroad. If I understand my prototype correctly, new engines to a railroad would have builder’s plates on them somewhere. My queries: Where would the builder’s plates go on an SW-1000? Secondly, would Microscale decal set 87-48 be the right set in order to get EMD builder plates for my SW-1000. Thank you for your assistance with my inquiry.
EMD’s builder plates were located on the side sill below the cab.
Try Microscale MC-4056.
Second row is the older style EMD builders plate.
More questions for: Do the builder plates go on one side or do they go on both sides. I am also unsure as to where exactly the “side sill” is. Is that the part below the hatches or where would they be? (I know almost nothing about SW1000s.)
The side sill refers to the frame. Typical locations for EMD builder plates are centered below the cab on the sill, on both sides. My prototype had no SW1000s, but did have SW1500s which had essentially the same details for a number of items , including the builder’s plates. They are visible on one unit here (engineer’s side) http://www.wplives.org/collectionpageimages/locomotiveimages/wp1503_a.jpg and here (fireman’s side) http://www.wplives.org/collectionpageimages/locomotiveimages/WP1503_b.jpg.
The Loco Photos site will give you many images of SW1000s for these and other details http://www.locophotos.com/Search.php . Scroll down to “select locomotive model” and choose SW1000 from the drop-down list EMD section.
Thank you for all your assistance. Not only has this solved my builders plate question, it has also given me another engine photo site for me to use in the future