timberley
Member
Posts: 189
Primary Railroads: VIA Rail Canada, AMT (Montreal)
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Post by timberley on May 14, 2014 9:30:47 GMT -5
Yes, the Microscale set opted to do the entire side graphic as one decal (see here: Microscale VIA P42), which is kind of convenient but also really tricky to use. I have known of some people opting to mask and paint the grey instead, then meticulously cut out all the yellow stripes from the decals. While that looks good, it is a lot more work. Overall the P42 is easy enough because it's smooth sided, but the step and grab wells are tricky. Much more difficult is the same scheme on the rebuilt F40s, because then you have to get the decal to settle over all the body ridges! backshophoss - Yes, I planned on adding a bit of weight and also thought about adding lights. Those would be best for when the unit is backwards on the tail end of a consist. I also thought that I may swap this shell onto one of the powered chassis from my previous repaints (that didn't turn out as well), but we'll see.
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Post by backshophoss on May 14, 2014 20:04:28 GMT -5
Just make sure the swap is between the same make of the drive,ei:Athearn to Athearn,Kato to Kato, otherwise you will be modifing the body mounts!
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timberley
Member
Posts: 189
Primary Railroads: VIA Rail Canada, AMT (Montreal)
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Post by timberley on May 15, 2014 8:39:47 GMT -5
It will most definitely be Athearn to Athearn, as that's all I've got in HO. Kato's woefully sub-par HO P42 did not win me over, even though their N scale version was very nice (heck, it's even in my avatar photo!)
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Post by acelaphillies on May 15, 2014 8:58:17 GMT -5
When I was buying my P40 for my NJT project I was debating whether or not to get a dummy. I decided to get the powered version becauae then I could also put it on non-ACES NJT trains if I ever get more NJT models. However, it is pretty easy to "convert" the powered model to a dummy. Just disconnect the worm gears from the trucks and disconnect the electrical contacts from the motor. Then you have a free rolling dummy!
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cab4
Member
Posts: 149
Primary Railroads: Conrail, NJ DOT, Amtrak, SEPTA, NJT
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Post by cab4 on May 15, 2014 10:02:26 GMT -5
When I was buying my P40 for my NJT project I was debating whether or not to get a dummy. I decided to get the powered version becauae then I could also put it on non-ACES NJT trains if I ever get more NJT models. However, it is pretty easy to "convert" the powered model to a dummy. Just disconnect the worm gears from the trucks and disconnect the electrical contacts from the motor. Then you have a free rolling dummy! I think it pays to keep all engines powered. Those ALP44s can be modified to pull a bit more, but I somehow suspect that the P40DC is going to have greater pulling power. Better yet, if you have DCC, consist them.
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timberley
Member
Posts: 189
Primary Railroads: VIA Rail Canada, AMT (Montreal)
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Post by timberley on May 15, 2014 12:26:37 GMT -5
It's true, dummies do remove a degree of operational flexibility. In anything other than a cabless B-unit, dummies set you up to always have to have the unit coupled to another, which even limits basic possibilities like going to set up a train (another loco has to come drag it from the yard, position it, etc). Powered units with DCC make that a lot easier.
Dummies have certainly fallen out of favour in more recent years. Rapido included dummies when they first released their F9B units, but they've opted to stop doing that for other B units in the future: the reason? Since so much of the cost involved is in the exterior detail, they couldn't reduce the price that much on a dummy...apparently it only cost $9 (!) less to produce the dummy version, meaning they either had to take a substantial hit by offering them at a lower price, or charge $9 less than the powered versions (who wants to pay that??). So not surprising that there are few new dummies being produced...
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Post by backshophoss on May 15, 2014 17:17:00 GMT -5
In the case of multi-unit lashups of F-units,like what the Santa Fe did on the Chief, 2 A units bracing 3-4 B units(5-6 units total),might be come overkill with sound decoders so having a couple of dummies makes sense cost wise,stick a speaker in and plug it in to a powered unit if you can get away with it. With the avg commuter rush hour train with 6-8 cars long(in HO)the avg model F-7 A can handle it alone,the 2 F-7 A could be a dummy/gutted unit if the prototype practice was 2 units on the head end for 10-14 cars,just use a dummy coupler on the dummy unit to keep it tied to a powered unit.
ACE was the oddball with a ALP46/44 on 1 end and the P-40 on the other.
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cab4
Member
Posts: 149
Primary Railroads: Conrail, NJ DOT, Amtrak, SEPTA, NJT
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Post by cab4 on May 21, 2014 23:33:11 GMT -5
I can kinda see what you're saying, but I don't think those are the best examples.
I imagine any consist that warrants a total of 6 F-units on the prototype is probably going to be heavy in scale as well, and a dummy just slows things down. A motorized non-sound unit is justified. Using the dummy to hold the speaker seems like unnecessary complexity.
On the other hand, if you have an set of MU cars, like Con-cor's MP54s, then yes, dummies are useful, especially given the price difference and one or two powered cars can pull most prototypical train lengths with little difficulty even on steep grades.
I would be curious to know which makes of F7s you're referring to. I'm not sure I've ever observed any F7s working that well on their own. I think 6-8 cars are pushing it, and I suspect you're better off with two motorized units on a longer train than using a dummy.
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Post by backshophoss on May 22, 2014 2:18:14 GMT -5
The Athearn F-7 "Heavyweight",with the cast weight over the motor,have 2 A's and 2 B's with DCC installed. Can barely get a DH-123 decoder to fit. All are Warbonnet scheme,in the case of a Track Geo Train based on the CR version,1 "Heavyweight" F-7 A and 1 Dummy F-7 A,pulling 7 cars. I forget who did the CZ (Broadway Ltd??) in HO,that was a heavy train that needed 4-5 units to run thru the Glennwood Canyon on DRGW or thru the Keddie Wye area. The problem was with the car lighting,a voltage HOG on DC,Amp HOG on DCC(Good at "killing" 5 amp boosters, lighting was not DCC compatable!)
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Post by acelaphillies on May 23, 2014 17:22:13 GMT -5
Well, lately I have been suffering from NWS (Nice Weather Syndrome) and also a lot of work, so I haven't had time for much modeling. I am hoping that I can get this model done during this long weekend. I just came up from the paintbooth. Unfortunately, it seems that every painting session is an adventure with me. Or maybe we could just label it a learning experience!! I guess I didn't completely clean the model thoroughly enough, because when I applied the satin finish little white splotches began to appear. Not to fear though, I think I have it sorted out. After re-cleaning the model and re-applying the finish the spots are going away. One thing I have definitely learned is that when something goes bad (ad it will), don't panic and make hasty decisions. Otherwise, you usually wind up damaging things worse. The best thing to do sometimes is to take a step back. Sometimes I have a problem listening to this advice too though! Expect more updates and also photos throughout the weekend.
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Post by acelaphillies on Jun 20, 2014 14:03:11 GMT -5
Well guys, I got it assembled! I still need some rust paint to paint the wheels and couplers,a s well as a few other miscellaneous things, but for the most part I am done! I took it outside to snap some shots, I hope you enjoy! IMG_2851 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2864 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2849 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2857 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2853 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2854 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2863 by acelaphillies, on Flickr IMG_2861 by acelaphillies, on Flickr -Daniel
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 20, 2014 16:29:41 GMT -5
Nicely done. Do you have a matching ALP-46/44 to go with it?
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Post by acelaphillies on Jun 20, 2014 21:20:14 GMT -5
Nicely done. Do you have a matching ALP-46/44 to go with it? Thanks! I do not (yet). But I am hoping to get 4409 from the upcoming run of Atlas ALP-44s.
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Post by mttrains on Jun 21, 2014 0:27:43 GMT -5
Really nice job!!! Your patience has really paid off.
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Post by acelaphillies on Jun 21, 2014 21:26:16 GMT -5
Really nice job!!! Your patience has really paid off. Thanks!!
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