If these shells come to fruition, I assume some SD70 mech surgery might be required? David, if you make etched rails, you might as well make a fret with superdetails like plows, MU hoses, fan grilles, etc.... The Kaslo/sar F45 kit I did in N had the fan shrouds as a casting, the fans proper as an etching, and the fan grilles another etching. They look great:
hi randy, there was set of brass etched details at caboose (but i don't remember the manufacturer). i did't have any N scale modern 48" fans from BLMA, but did have this set, so i used them. the fans on the SD70ACe are like 51" or something (bigger than the 36" N scale set we use for Z 48" fans, but smaller than the N scale 48" which come out to about 5' in Z. i nibbled the outer ring from the fan grill to get it closer to the 51" circumference. sorry i don't remember the maker, but it was not BLMA. i will be looking at BLMA as soon as i get to denver again (????). i'll probably have to nibble at them as well to get a better fit. dave f.
It's incredible what you can do! I love to see the progress from you work David and I often think to my self what a great talent you have.
not really, hemi. we are talking about 2 scale feet = about 1/8". a person COULD extend the AZL chassis for that (i've done similar, but it was closer to 1/4" for the GP35 to GP40 conversion). what i like about this project is that people can use the mechanism as is and probably never notice the 1 scale foot difference on each end (between the end of the trucks and the edge of the steps). so, no, i wouldn't mess with the chassis (now if this was an SD90MAC, one would need to add 1/4" or more -- i haven't calculated it out, but it would be relatively substantial). but THAT project would be for someone else to think about (unless, of course, UP makes another heritage unit out of and SD80 or SD90 -- but i don't think that's going to happen!!). a new SD70M is on the way, so i'll start on the shell for casting as soon as i can. the drawing/etching of railings is now my biggest challenge. for that reason i wouldn't hold my breath for etched fans/hoses/etc. in the kit (at least not from MY efforts). ... though i have, on occasion, been known to walk on water! (but it was a very, very cold day). heh heh heh. dave f.
SD70 ACe etched handrails Hi Dave, since you are a novice at etching brass why don;t you let the master do the handrails, since he is going to also cast the shell. What do you say SGT. Tim. That way it would expedite the process, and we could have the shells in our fat grubby hands a little sooner. Sgt Tim ia a mighty burner when it comes to etching brass. Robert Ray said he would make the decals (cool and sweet). Robert I wonder if you could make Norfolk Southern also. Have we heard anything about pricing, either for the decal sets and the shell?
i'm all for letting someone with experience make the handrails. people i know who can do it have been more than generous already, so i just don't feel i can ask. also everyone is so busy. ... BUT ... it would make this thing go more quickly. having said that, however, i still need to learn to do it well. i have a kitbashed SD45 ready to cast, but it needs handrails; and an SD9 that is ready to cast ... but needs handrails. both need mechanisms, but that won't be long in coming, now: MTL will have an SD40-2 for us one day soon. i'll be ready. (you know, i've REALLY got to get my layout finished ...). dave f.
Another resource for information on the SD70Ace its the Trains Locomotive 2006 issue. It also has a article on the ES44.
Dave's SD45 Wow Dave you've got a SD45 already scratchbuilt ready to cast? Wowie Kazowie. I am just a nut for scratchbuilt and cast diesel locomotive shells. Please post some pictures Dave. As I understand from a previous PM you built this from MTL GP35 shells. You surely wouldn't have any copyright issues at all from this, since it's not AZL based.
Heck, with a GP35 stretched, and a kitbashed SD45 shell, you could have a GP40X! I love flares,a nd I know what Dave will be doing with it when it hits the paint shop!
If I had all the measurements and a rough drawing of the shape, I can draw up the handrails in Corel Draw in about 15 minutes. I can mail those drawings to Tim, who can etch them. I already know the format Tim uses to etch, so drawing for etching is easy.
well, robert, what if i just send you the shell now and when you are done measuring and drawing you can send it back for me to paint and finish up. i'd do that! it would get us all on track a little sooner. dave f.
Another Shell to cast!!! Do I hear talk of another loco shell to cast? Cool!!!! Home Etching!!!! That reminds me I have to make the handrail for John's loco!!! Soon John, soon!!!! Hobo Tim
I can do that! Also, with the shell to measure, I can better draw up the decals I want for mine. If you have my address just send the shell. I have lots of photos so I know where all the bend are and the number of stanchions needed. Then I can forward the shell to Tim, along with the handrail drawings for etching. I know Tim can also draw up the handrails himself just fine, but having the shell to measure up gives me a head start on decals. -Robert
well, here's the SD45. the doors are wrong because they are too slim for a real SD45, but you wouldn't know it unless you have a picture or a perfect model in front of you. dave f.
