I have to get a decent pic of my latest project which is close to being finished but not yet… just removed the side decals and I’m doing some touch up painting.
A few teaser pics of the SD45s Im working on.
Hi Dennis, I like the pics of your work. My question is what did you use to strip the paint off those SD-45’s? I used original pine sol on old Athearn Blue box locos with good results. Also what do you use to get the detail parts off before stripping them? -Joe
Hi…I used what I had left of Chameleon paint stripper…with added denatured alcohol.
Most of the detail parts came off by pressing on the tabs inside the shell…such as fans …also for the parts such as the radiator grills …they have small pins that go into the body…to remove those parts I used a dental pick type of tool to press on the pins to remove the parts.
Thank you Dennis, how bout grab irons and such?
Here’s an old Athearn Hustler with DCC and sound! Just couldn’t get the body shell back on, but it was fun while it lasted. I just have an appreciation for the Hustler and have about 6 of them but only one is DCC. Am working on lights and interior cab.
-Bob
For the SD45s Im leaving those in place…I did take them off of the GP30`s that I did a few years ago…and I ended up doing more harm than good when I did.
To paint then I use a small piece of phosphor/bronze wire from Tichy…about 5 to 8 thousands will do (.005 to .008).
The handrails are another story.
I very carefully removed those and set them on blue painters tape that is taped to a piece of cardboard and airbrushed those one side at a time.
Hi,
Have you tried a smaller speaker?
You might be able to get a really small one either at http://www.tonystrains.com/ , or http://www.soundtraxx.com/
Hi,
A few more teaser pics of my SD45`s.
I have 2 PRR diesels
and
I also have 3 free lenced
Something new to add here.
Some pics of my new doodlebug project.
The white stuff is .020 styrene that will be trimmed down to match the roof-line…it also helps to make this a double ended doodlebug.
Couple of pics here for the SD45 build…
You will see some cracks in the shell (this happened to all three) …it may have been because of using denatured alcohol instead of 91%.
However I bought replacement doors and blower housings from Cannon & Co.
Now the question is…do I just cut out and replace the doors…or do I make new carbody sides while using the new doors?
New sides are being made using .020" sheet styrene and .020" x .030" , .040", .060", and .100" styrene strip.
This is for the 3 SD45s Im working on.
New sides are being made due to the cracks in the body shells from using denatured alcohol.
First pic is an assembled side (1 of 3).
Second pic is one side of parts to be used.
Third pic is 2 of 3 assembled fireman`s sides.
Great Thread!! Here are some shots of my customized Wishram Oregon and Western power.
F3A/F3B/F9B pulling through Bridgeport station on the Mt Hood Model RR.[C):-)]
Next is one of Wishram’s rebuilt U28Bs, Athearn variety, at No. Powder:
And next, a C425:
And finally, a kitbashed GP60 (from an Athearn GP50 before the 60 became available) passing by the ciffs at Overlook on the Mt Hood Model RR.
Wow! Nice work guys, very inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Don
Here’s a look at my modernized GE70 Tonner.
I removed the footboards and added a non working beacon light and 2 chime air horns.
Here is one for the thread, finished it then sold it. Mistake. Now i am working on a new and improved one 
Mike
One of my favorites 
Nice stuff guys![:D]
Dennis, so it looks like we both are modeling roads with more engines than real estate! The Maryland Midland is only 67 miles long, and currently has 7 engines, but my modeled version will have 17, and maybe more if I ever scratchbuild the 65 ton Whitcomb ! See, in my world, we never sell off the old locos, we just get more!
Here’s 5 of the current “gang of 7”
One of the GP9’s before paint & filling in the lower numberboards and headlights 
A Midland FP7 in a Western Maryland style paint job and a GP9 leading an excursion train out of town.
See, we’re sick I guess! [:-,][(-D]