Just bought a Penn Central GP38-2 and it looks great but has no snowplow on the front…I’m not an experienced modeler (yet) so I wondered what the best way is to put a plow on the front of her. Thanks much
Sergio,
Does that unit have a relatively flat pilot, or are there steps with a sill on the bottom of it?
If you would like I can show pictures of what I mean.
Also, do you have the Plow of choice already in hand, & ready for the model?
There are many to choose from…
Normally, I smooth out the bottom of the pilot, then height check the new plow against the clean mounting area. then drill the holes (if the plow you have has studs on it). Then mount it about 0.040" to 0.060" above the rail heads, with a shim on the rails.
I’d be happy to explain further if you have any questions, please ask!
Chad thanks a bunch for responding…I’ve linked a picture to the engine 'cause a lot of what you said went over my head lol I haven’t bought a model engine since I was probably 12 years old (I’m 27 now) here’s what I bought:
First decision would be which plow to use. You can see a bunch of available Details West plows on the Walthers website: http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Part&scale=H&manu=details+west&item=&keywords=plow&words=extend&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search.
I model Conrail, which had many former PennCentral locos. I believe that the standard plows I use are the DW 235-155, http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/235-155. However, some PC locos used what was called a weed cutter plow, DW 235-150 http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/235-150
After that you are on your own as I don’t know which particular model you have (Atlas, Walthers, LifeLike). The plows have, I believe, two mounting pins that require mating holes be drilled in the pilots. There is a little template with the plow that will aid in locating it. However, you have to use some judgement to determine what existing “stuff” on the pilot face might need to be removed. Also, it is likely that you will have to change the couplers on the plow end of the loco to something with a longer shank to clear the plow.
I’m not sure, but had you purchased an Atlas TrainMan GP38-2 it probably would have come with a plow. Not sure if they had a PC model though.
Edit: Sorry, I see that you said Bachmann. Missed that, but all the information should be the same.
Maxman thanks a bunch…definitely helped clear things up for me. I’m a child of Conrail growing up in Youngstown OH, is there somewhere I could see your layout?
Sergio,
It looks like you have a clean & smooth pilot ( the upgright ‘plate’ on the front & rear of a diesel), I hope my picture will also help a little.
I am using a white metal Details West Plow, (I don’t know the number, but it is a common CP & CN plow).
In a day or two, I may actually show it mounted up & finished, but that is asking a lot…
So I will show you another picture, of another unit…
If you have any questions please ask.
Hey Sergio, do you still live near Youngstown? I live in Brookfield near Yankee Lake,if you still do let me Know, Jim.
Compare this, more outfitted front pilot, to the one above, it only took about 3 - 6 parts to get that difference!
Also like to note. When figuring the plow height, do so that it is positioned just high enough so that an opposing coupler “glad hand/ trip pin” will clear under the plow. This may be just slightly higher than actual prototypical placement, but will always allow proper coupling as the pin won’t hit the plow.
I wish I had something to show you. Constructing models and building a showable model railroad don’t necessarily co-exist.
ChadLRyan and the rest of you guys, thanks SO MUCH! Your explanations and pics have helped a great deal and hopefully I can knock out this project soon. Gondola1988, I’m in Hubbard just until I find a new job and move back out of state but my family is still here.
Sergio,
Glad we could help, that’s what we’re all about!
If anything comes up, please ask!
WOW! a very interesting and informative thread. Tip’o the hat to Chad and maxman for providing excellent feedback.
Chad - your work never ceases to amaze me!
Thanks again! I appreciate it!
A nice thread with good comments.
Just a couple tips from a UP modeler that has been mounting plows for a while. 1) unless your trackwork is really nice and smooth, mount the plow a little higher than the prototype does. You don’t want it way too high, but remember that most plow are metal castings and will short out the railroad if they are low enough to rub on the rails and/or they can catch little parts of turnouts, etc. 2) many people have good mountings with ACC (super glue) but I prefer 5-minute epoxy. That plow sticks out and will get bumped over the years you use the locomotive. 3) the use of a longer shank on the coupler is not only to clear the plow, but if you are using “Kadee style” couplers the trip pin of the car or loco ahead of the unit can catch on the plow leading to derailments.
Okay, since there is a little show and tell, a couple poor photo examples.
Atlas C30-7 with DW 155 plow on left, and DW weed cutter plow on right. I use the Wither’s Conrail Motive Power Guide as reference. There is a photo in that book showing this loco w/weed cutter:
Atlas GP38 with Atlas supplied plow on left, and Atlas TrainMan GP38-2 with DW weed cutter plow mounted on rear pilot. Some Conrail units had standard plows on front w/weed cutter on rear:
maxman - there’s nothing wrong with those locos/plows/mu hoses.
LOL I was actually referring to the photos, but thank you.
Now if i can only get the Plows on my Proto SD locos without messing them up.
[tup] There nuttin’ wrong with them pics, either! binder001 has some good tips too!
This has sparked an interest in the possiblilty of installing plows and mu hoses on my locos. While conducting research (surfing the internet for pics), I noticed that most PC locos didn’t have plows. Was that the norm in the 60’s -80’s? Was PC that cheap they didn’t buy them? or did they take them off during the summer? Seems like a waste of labor/hours to install/remove plows for the seasons.