Replacing cheap plow on BNSF AC4400 & what color? (PICS)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I need to add some MU hoses to the front of these engines. I just bought them. They are the new Athearn RTR models in the BNSF AC4400 scheme. IHow do the old plastic plows come off. It looks like they just pop off. I need to add some new Detail’s West ones. I also need to paint them so what color is the green that is on the bottom of these engines?

2

The color looks like Forest green, but Im sure thats only close. Another thing you may want to consider is are the plows that are on them correct for BNSF, if being prototypical is importan you might reconsider? Looks like you may need to move your ditch lights also. Why can’t things just be simple?!?!!!? Good luck.

3

Joey,

Yes be phototypical is important to me, but only like 60%. I did this to some other Athearn engines and it was a real pain. The thing that drove me nuts was moving the Ditch Lights. On these though I like a big plow up front with the hoses showing through. I know it would make a Rivet Counter go nuts [:D] I even have some with a plow at both ends (SP C44-9) Do they make a BNSF Green?

Take Care

4

Good question about the green, I don’t know but maybe you could check with Flowquil or Polyscale.
I use the big plows on everything I have I think they look great!

5

I’m set up with the same dilemma with my Dash’s and AC4400’s. Friday I went to the Details West website and pulled up the info on some of the custom engines that have Details West products on them. Details West has little packages that can help make your engine more prototypical. The package comes with the right plow for the engines too. Also there is a BNSF green color that someone makes. I don’t have it in front of me so I don’t know the manufacture’s name. And last, move those ditch lights! Once again Details West has the right kind of ditch lights for the AC’s. Make sure that you show us your finished product.

6

Zac,

I tried to find the info on the Details West package you are talking about but couldn’t find it. I also seen the BNSF Green you are talking about from Walthers. I went to the local hobbie shop and we tried to match it up, the closest thing I could find was Pollyscale BN GREEN. It was a little light but when a few drops of Engine Black was added it matched perfect. See if you can find me some better info on the package you are talking about.

Thanks

7

I found it but can’t find the Plow. Do the Ditch Lights they sell work?

8

8500HPGASTURBINE
Here is the link to the Details West page on AC4400CW’s If you look below the CSX engine pictures it the first item on the list (PL-233). I printed all of those sheets off so that I will have all the part numbers to detail my engines like those. You have to admit that those models are excellent in detail.

http://detailswest.com/AC4400%20Info.htm

I will go home today and find out the make of the paint that I have that is BNSF Green for you and post it on this page tomorrow.

9

The plow looks like a Detail West PL155 or very close.
One thing to consider when installing plows or altering pilots is make sure the opposing Kadee “glad hand” will not hit the plow. Some of the Detail West plows give a temptate that will set the height at a more prototypical position off the railhead. This is great but problems of the coupler may happen. Most take a quick fix and throw on a long centerset. If you keep the plow just a hair above the glad hand shelf on the Kadee coupler height guage you will be able to use the standard #5. This isn’t for all plows and applications, I mention this as it happens from time to time pending the plow and application. Now the Chessie rock pilots that’s a whole different PITA. If anyone has trouble and needs to apply the Detail West Chessie plow let me know .
The Detail West MU hoses #295 will work for the proper length, however the Overland ones are much finer detail and quality (much more $$$ also).
The Detail West AH-302 air hose is the drop elbow style needed to clear the plow and not interfere w/ the coupler swing. These are a nice touch and a decent casting.
If you plan on doing any weathering on these units, I wouldn’t be too concerned about an exact match for the green. Plows/ pilots and trucks take the most abuse on the real thing and chips dirt grime and even rust will mask any slight color deviation.
Bob K.

10

Okay I finally have taken the time to check my paints to see that it is Scalecoat that makes a BNSF Green. Personally I think that it is a little off but nothing that doing a little missing can’t take care of.