I’ve just completed my Southern Pacific M8-2-6-0 project to Proto 64 standards , all told it’s construction entailed several years of labor (99% scratchbuilt you know). Not resting on my lurals, i’ve got a urge to scratchbuild a early SP MC Cab Forward. i’m curious as to what others have in planning or on the workbench concerning their motive power .
Thanks
Dave
Dave,
I’m having BLI build me a NYC 4-8-2 Mohawk. Maybe one of these days I’ll know enough to be able to do something like what you just accomplished. Congratulations! Make sure you post some pics sometime.
Tom
Actually, I want to finish detailing some Norfolk Southern GP38-2s.
Working on my CP Rail motive fleet…SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2, SD40-2F, SD40-2, SD40, SD40-2, SD40-2…etc…all said and done will be 35 of the units. All are built with the new Athearn Shell and old mech. I find them great to work with and they are ecinomical as well.
I figured as I was working one on many Athearns, I could post an “adventures in tweeking my Athearn Fleet” where I give a before and after video of the stock Athearn chassis so people could see what is possible with these units.
Did I mention I am making some SD40-2s?
David B
I’m planning on building another one of these:
I kitbashed this from a Bachmann Spectrum N scale 2-8-0, and parts from a Trix 4-6-2 and 0-6-0. The result is an almost-PRR class H10sb.
It will probably be adding sound to something, but I’m not sure what yet. I’ve got a pair of P2K GP-9’s, and an ancient Athearn BB F-7. The F-7 shell is spacious, while the Geeps would likely require a bit of metalwork to remove enough weight to add a speaker box.
And then there’s that old Dockside 0-4-0. I had it working, headlight, decoder and all, but after only one or two passes around the layout, the decoder fried. I think the valve gear might have come loose and locked up, causing the old motor to stall and draw more than the decoder could handle.
I’m about half-way through applying the details to a Kato BNSF SD70MAC. I wouldn’t mind finding another one or an AC4400CW to go with it and the hoppers I’m accumulating.
David B: since you’re modelling CP Rail, are you gonna do any SD40-2’s?[:D]
Cheers to West Coast S for keeping the scratch building aspect of model railroading alive. That’s fantastic. If you have a way to post a photo, I’d like to see it.
Other posts on this thread are impressive. Congrats, Dave V on the N scale kitbash Pennsy 2-8-0. Cheers to all others.
Real motor, sound decoder and Bowser super detail kit added to my Mantua Mikado.(when funds allow)
I have waaaay too many projects lined up to do. I have a Bowser Big Boy to finish plus a Challenger and tweak my other challenger that runs and paint them.
Another project I have been ebaying parts for is a never built 3 foot gauge D&RGW 2-8-8-2, it will be rather freelanced since no real prototype existed, going to use a bachmann 2-6-6-2 and MDC outside frame drivers. Could get interesting.
Right now I have this HOn3 Ken Kidder 0-4-2 needing work, and I found another on ebay needing work, between the 2 I am parting each other to make one working version. I think my original one is the major parts winner, the second one if I want to make run would need new drivers and motor, maybe PSC can do something with their parts. or make it an entirely different wheel arrangement.
I paid just over 100 bucks for the second engine, pretty much just to get some good parts, but the opportunity to make one work and maybe the other has a chance of a double win. The money wasnt the issue, restoring the kidders is.
I could go on and on with lined up projects but got the harder itch to make my layout and get something running.
After I get my WC SW1500 done, then I will probably work on Super Detailing some WC SD45s, if I can get any. Other wise I’ll be working on a ACR SD40-2.
Finally painting up some of the undecorated N scale Atlas GP7s and 9s that I have aquired over the past 3 years. I’m also thinking about chopping down the noses on 2 of them.
Eric M
After the bank recovers, I have plans to kitbash some Reading GP39-2s.
Nick
My newest engine project is kind of a whimsy. I have a HO Mantua 0-6-0T which is being turned into a oil fired 2-6-0 Cab forward. It is a fun project.
http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=3934.html
Rich
Adding DCC and sound to a couple of dozen Athern BB’s only been collecting them since the '60’s and DCC since '05! Maybe next year![:P]
I just started a project to wire two MDC “Critters” to run as a single unit. I want to wire the two engines together to avoid the ocassional stall on switch points. Thanks to some advice in another thread, I will eliminate one headlight from each engine. Once I have that all running the way I want, it will be time to add some details.
Tom
Well if the decals and detail parts I have on backorder ever arrive in the mail I hope to finish my 2 CN GP38-2s and my CN SW1200RM " SWEEP". Right now the GP38-2s only need stripes on the fireman side before clear coat and weathering. The “SWEEP” is so far only a Athearn SW7 that has a GP9 hood. Hopefully the stuff I ordered 2 months ago will show up soon so I can put these projects to rest. Then I can move on to a SD50F and a C44-9WL. The SD50F will be a Kaslo shell on a Athearn RTR SD50 chassis. The C44-9WL will be an Athearn model with a Kaslo 4 window cab. All this should keep me and my credit card busy till well past Christmas[:D]!
Super detailing a Canadian Pacific AC4400CW
A CNJ Camelback from a Tyco 0-6-0
Wow, some of you guys are really ambitious. My plans are to rearrange the noses of four NKP engines with the Mars light and headlight in the right place. I’d also like to add those big screen affairs that were mounted to the rear of NKP switchers. Does anyone know of a good source of pictures of these things?
Converting an Atlas ex-WC GP40 to a CN GP40-2lw. Started in the spring, but it’s been a busy summer. Ah well, no rush.
