Looking for a solution with a Intermountain ES44AC problem

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello Everybody,

looking for some input on how to fix a problem with the Intermountain ES44AC’s which are in the CP colours. All the evaluations and reviews from people do not catch the issue of light coming from under the cab nose of the locomotives. This is where the Upper shell and the walkway above the front coupler come together. This creates a crack through which the light in the cab can be easily seen making it look quite toy like. It might not be very noticeable when one stands right in front of the model looking down at it, but once you are anywhere near the same level as the model with your eyes it becomes very visible. It is a light that shines along the entire width of the cab of the locomotive. Has anyone come up with a solution for this issue or am I the only one that has noticed it and how do you fix this problem?

My LHS at first told me that it was normal to have light shine out from under the nose of the locomotive where the door was, and was told to put some styrene in the nose if it were a issue. Now they said that Intermountain is aware of this stray light issue. Has anyone else on this forum noticed this as well?

Aside from this very very annoying issue I realy like these locomotives. They are very smooth and quiet and pull like a Kato AC4400 which in my books is very well along with excellent detail.

If it were not for this annoying item I would be game for a some more of these locomotives from other roads but as it stands right now I will not purchase another engine. Any solutions to this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Frank

2

I read somewhere that someone had used black electrical tape on the inside of the cab to resolve it and apparently works well as I saw the end result but I have yet to try this myself to my own Gevos. I will at some try this method myself.

John

3

Thank you for your reply. That is a great idea. When I get home on Friday I will give it a try. The nice thing about these locomotives is that one can easily remove the cab by removing the hand rails and then basically pulling the cab up after freeing it from the tabs. This makes the offending slot readily accessible.

thank you

frank

4

Frank,

I followed this guy’s advice and reworked the lights. I followed the more complex solution that he lists. I found to be not too hard at all. The only problem was that I have light leaks on the ditch lights coming through the front running board. I need to find a way to fix that.

Here is the website:

http://www.railfanreading.com/Layout/Prototype/CP8705/CP8705.htm

Hope this helps.

5

Hi Will,

that is a great link. Looking forward to doing the repairs on Friday when I get home.

Thank you

Frank