I’m trying to attach this snow plow.
To an Athearn GP like this
Should I file off the two boxes that the black arrows are pointing to? I don’t see a way to mount this thing unless I do. Figured I’d ask before I did something I can’t change.
If they get in the way, then they must go. But if they can help support the plow casting, why not leave them on? I take a lot of detail off my pilots when mounting the CP pilot but that is a unique beast.
Loathar,
My advice is to remove the items on the front pilot. The snow plow looks like a Details West plow. The plow has a flat back at the base and the ‘footboards’ will be in the way.
If so, there should have been a mounting template that came with the plow. Here’s how I mounted the plow on #904. Take the template and glue it to a very thin piece of styrene or cardstock. I used spray adhesive. Then cut out the shape of the plow and on the bottom across the railheads. This will give you the height of the plow. Use the drill size indicated on the instructions and pre-drill the holes on the template. Now just tape it to the front pilot and drill away.
DT&I in TN???
Unless you remove the pilot beams, it is not going to fit flush against the pilot.
I use the same basic mounting procedure as jktrains. Before I drill all the way however, I make a couple of dimples in the pilot using the template. I then place the plow against the pilot and double check the placement.
Are you body mounting the KDs?
Jim
You might consider a Min by E coupler pocket while you are at it. It will help fill the Athearn Hole.
David B
Yes,
You will have to file the MU holder boxes flat on the pilot before mounting the plow. File that down flat so the plow has a flat surface to mount on. As others stated, they come with a template so you can get the location right and drill holes for the plow mounting tabs. After the pilot is filed and the mounting holes drilled (drill slightly small so the pilot mounting tabs have a snug/friction fit), then you can test fit the plow. I suggest masking and painting the pilot so it matches the color the pilot should be so the filed area is back to the same color. Paint the plow separately. You may need to scrap a little paint from the mounting surface so the plow will be held by the glue but all surfaces are painted. A little weathering is probably in order too afterward as the track level portions of the loco get dirty quickly.
As for further additions, there are parts to fill in the gap you can add optionally. For example there is a coupler draft gear box part that you can use (as mentioned above in another post).
Thanks! I figured they had to go. It’s a CSX loco. The DT&I was just EZ to see what I was pointing at. It’s a Details West with Template so that should be EZ.
The coupler pocket was going to be the next question. Guess I’m changing that now too.[:D]
I’m not familiar with what your talking about. Is this a company that makes a coupler box that fits? I assume your saying don’t just try and make a KD draft box work.
I’m not familiar with Min by E coupler pockets either, but if you check the Walthers catelog under Details West or Details Assoc, there is a coupler draft gear part that you can add to fill in the upper gap portion. It is the pointed angular part if you look at EMD pilots. I’m at work and don’t have access to my old Walthers catelogs newest is 1999 in my case but DW and DA parts list haven’t changed much over the years.