Usually I’m causing havoc around at the Classic Trains Magazine end of the forums, but I’m also interested HO scale modeling. Unfortunately I don’t have the space or time for the moment to build, but I can always build some engines and stuff can’t I [swg]? I have a few favorite railroads (Milwaukee Road, GN, NP, SP, N&W, RDG, D&H, LV, GM&O, WM and NYNH&H), with Milwaukee Road as my BIG interest… I have a few questions as how to build and modify diesels correctly to Milwaukee Road standards with their airhorns, plows etc. etc.
As with these SD10’s, GP20’s, RSC-2 (rebuilt by ALCO) that the railroad rebuilt:
How do I chop their noses?
Change the number boards?
Which is the correct snowplows, airhorns, winterization hatches?
If you’re really going to modify, kitbash, detail engines, I think you should invest in a Walthers catalog, it is truely a most invaluable tool, most detail parts are illustrated (as apposed to the web catalog). Plan a few projects ahead to get a better price from a web-store and make shipping more cost-effective.
I usually work from plans and/or photos. Find the Milwaukee RR historical socirty for info, hopefully someone will chime in with a link. You could try a google search for a specific loco.
To me, adding road specific details is one of the most enjoyable parts of the hobby.
There are many ways to decide what type of details to add.
If you cannot get the answers here, join a yahoo group dedicated to the Milwaukee Road and ask questions.
Go on the Internet and find sites with photos. Besides photos in my collection, I go to a SOO photo archive. This is a tremendous asset. Try to find the exact unit you are modeling or at least one in the same series.
Now look in the Walthers catalog at the Details West, Detail Associates and Cannon & Company stuff.
The catalog is currently pretty inexpensive. My LHS is selling last years supposedly “limited edition” for only $5.00.
Now compare the descriptors and photos of the details with the prototype.
Lets use the plows for an example: Is the plow large or small? How are the sides shaped, straight or angled? Does the MU cutouts match the unit you are modeling? You may not find a perfect match but that is okay. Just get the one closest to your perception and it will look fine. I know the MILW tended to use small “weed cutter” plows on the rear of some of its units, a practice the SOO did not. Some of their units also had small fueltanks, another spotting feature.
The same goes for the Winterization hatches. The SOO used the long 48" type on the SDs and shorter 48"ones on the GPs. I believe the MILW used similar practices.
Use the MR magazine search function and look for articles about modeling the MILW. Many of these articles give a specific list of details. This can be another great resource.
Hopefully someone who models the MILW will be along with more info but at least this is a start.
WCfan,modelmaker51,Soo Line fan, thank you ever so much for your answers, much appreciated indeed! [yeah][tup]
I used to buy the Walthers catalog a few years back, it’s funny how you forget things isn’t it? Well, it looks like that I have to order a new copy…
WCfan, I’ll struck up a cord with CMSTPP with an PM to see if he’ll willing to part with some information about his SD10…
modelmaker51, getting a new Walthers catalog is on top of the agenda mate… I’ll also take your advice to plan a few projects ahead, maybe a couple of SD-10’s or a pick and mix with a SD-10 and a GP-20, I haven’t decided yet…
Join the society, plans, photos…duly noted Sir…
Soo Line fan, I completely agree with you mate. Adding specific detailing to a locomotive according to railroad practices is half the fun. I also hope to get back 1/48 scale modeling and to me research is just as enjoyable as the build itself…
I have a few Milwaukee Road books so I’ll have looksie to what engines pop out the most…
The larger plows are usually Details West 155. The small “weedcutter” on the back is usually DW 150. Horns vary, need to check pictures. The saddlebag air filter was made by Detail Associates, not sure of the part number. They are made to fit the old widebody Athearn GP9, some custom work may be needed to make it fit.
Hi Jan: You really need the Walthers catalogue. They are bringing out the Twin Cities Hiawatha, MILW detailed F-7s, MILW RD rib side cabooseand they have done Erie builts. C-liners, and Alco DL-109s. Also coming out is the Milwaukee Wisconsin depot and a Milw Rd crossing tower. Why couldn’t they have done all that 40 years ago when I was modeling Milw Rd? BTW I have a Hiawatha on order.
If I can answere any queations on the Milw drop me a line. I grew up in Milwaukee Wisc and would be glade to help. Do you know where Leighton Buzzard is? I’m a member of the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway Society.