Out of the Paint Shop

Know that I have a dedicated painting spot, I find it very easy to go down to the basement and paint. With out having to set up and tear down an area I can paint very quickly and be done.  Here are a few of my on going projects.

This shows the RS-11 with the modified cab window and fuel tank. I added the train
control box, extended the elevated walkway and added the steam generator details.

This photo shows the steam generator parts better.

This is a Walthers caboose from years ago, not 100% accurate for the PC or Conrail, but a decent stand-in.
I dd not make any changes to the model other than pant.

Here is the Conrail N8A showing the new bay window and the other windows filled.

Here is the RS-3m

Here is the Amtrak RS-3.  It is a former NH unit and still has the train control box.

You can see the roof vent and antenna on the cab as well as the old steam generator vent.

My friend Paul will be happy to see that his locomotives are finally painted!

Conrail N8a Caboose, Part 2

I have done some more work and rework on my Conrail N8a.  I was not happy with how the bay windows looked and rebuilt them.  A not on how I work on building models.  On this project I am not aware of any drawings of the rebuilt cabooses.  I simply estimated the size and position of the bay windows and used sizes of commercially available strip styrene.  I use a set of calipers to measure distance between things and transfer that to the styrene.  I don not actually use a ruler to measure the item.

I added two strip of .040 x .100 styrene wit the ends cut a a 45 degree angle.
Note the access hatch to the lower right of the bay window, I made this by simply
gluing some narrow strips to the car body.  The latches are made the same way. 

I have added a window frame made from .010 x .100 styrene.

Here is how I made the end sections on the bay windows.  I cut the top pf them
at a 30 degree angle and then drilled two holes for the top and bottom of the
window.  I then cutout the material in the middle to create the window opening.

I have added the top of the bay window this is from a .010 x .125 strip of
styrene, the ends at a 45 degree angle.

 .

Here is the the other side.

I am know waiting for some Detail Associates rectangular vents to finish up the model.  It is a fairly easy kitbash and make a very distinctive model.

Cleaning up and finishing projects

The usable space on my work bench as continually was getting smaller and smaller.  I had to clean up and I now have room to work.  I have also dug out a lot of models that I need to build or get rid of as well.  I have decided to work on trio of ALCo’, two RS-3’s and an RS-11.  The RS-11 s a rebuild of one I built when I was in collage back in the late 1980’s.  When I originally built it, I did a decent job, but I did not modify the windows fuel tank, nor add the train control box.  I also used the in correct decals, using the extra serif ones made for the GP-9’s.   I was able to new shells for the hood and cab as well as grab irons from Atlas.  This time I did make the modifications to the cab windows  and add the  the train control box.  I also modified the fuel tank.

Here is the Atlas shell with Custom Finishing steam generator added
along with the Atlas grab irons.

The fuel tank is from an Atlas RSD4/5.  I then dded bits of styrene to ends to
create the tank used by the New Haven.

Here is the unmodified cab with a line showing where i plan to
extend the window

This shows the modified cab window.  I just eye balled the open from photos.
This also shows the train control box from Details Associates.I built the
 walkway from .010 styrene.

Here is the location of the factory applied air horn that needs to be filled and
smoothed.

Here are the two RS-3 I am working on, more info in the near future.

Wordless Wednesday