I bought this partially-assembled kit at a train show last weekend. It looked like it was in decent shape, and the motor does run (I tested it after I got home). It only seems to be missing the handrails. The guy was selling the whole thing for $5 because he said he had taken it apart to convert to DCC, but then didn’t feel like messing with it. I figured for $5, what do I have to lose? Worst case, I use it as a dummy engine, or park it on a service terminal siding.
It’s got the older-style split metal chassis frame, which feeds current to the motor. It’s a model of a Nickel Plate Road engine, but the roadname has been removed from the sides. It says “Bachmann” on the bottom of the fuel tank, but I’m not sure if it’s a Spectrum or not (my guess is no). Unfortunately, I didn’t think to ask what type of engine it is, and I don’t know my SD’s from Shinola. Can someone identify the locomotive type? Thanks in advance.
I was thinking about re-lettering it for the DRG&W, but I thought the trim paint was too yellow. The paint on the sides is pretty messed up from where he tried to remove the NKP lettering. I might end up stripping all the paint off and starting from scratch (any tips on how to safely remove the paint from all or large parts of the shell w/o ruining the plastic?)
As for pictures of the finished product - that might take a while… possibly years! I can barely find enough time to fini***he wiring on my layout as it is, and I have a stack of a dozen unbuilt freight car kits. If only time grew on trees!
Do NOT use brake fluid on older Bachmann models. I made the mistake of trying it on an old BQ23-7. The battery compartment(?) and part of a step came off.
To strip, try using 91% isopropyl alcohol. Don’t even bother trying the 70% stuff. May take a bit of elbow grease, but will not hurt the plastic. Give it soak if needed.