IHB projects - adding sound to a Kato NW2

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I dug out a couple of IHB locos that are in need of a bit of work for the latest project.

When released, the BLI models had the wrong cab window profile for the road numbers allocated, and an incorrect shade of lining orange. I also felt the main body colour could be a little darker.

The correct colour - albeit on an NW2

http://www.dhke.com/ihbarchive/8715.html

The BLI model

While I was looking for these locos I found an old Kato NW2 that I’d put away, as I couldn’t fathom out how to soundchip it, due to the rather large weight inside.

Now, fortune favours the bold, so instead of hacking away at the chassis block, I took a spare SW7 chassis (with twin speakers),

filed a few bits off the chassis, cut and filed several bits off the inside of the NW2 shell, and hey presto…

A Kato NW2 with sound

Now to get stripping and painting.

Jon

2

Dark green (and cat hair) applied. I now have to wait 24 hours for the paint to dry before applying any decals.

Jon

3

Jon,

Way to go on the creativity scale!

Curious: Is the spare chassis BLI or was it another brand?

If another brand, what type of speakers did you use and what are their ratings? Did you install a Soundtraxx decoder?

4

The chassis I used to mount the NW2 shell was from a CBQ SW7 - BLI with 2 speakers. I intend lengthening the wires on the cab-end speaker and mounting it in a stealth/silent SW7 and run them as a pair -2 for the price of one.

Started adding Microscale decals to the switchers tonight

Jon

5

I finished off the three IHB switchers last night and gave them a road test to check the sound and directional lighting.

Jon

6

A few more photos and, as ever, the accompanying video clip.

And finally, the video clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wunjQZFpkrg

Jon