Forgive this, are they ready then? 
Awesome! Great job on the updates! Are the SD40-2's and SD70M-2/ACe's in the backlog? Since this model doesn't have a fixed pilot option, would open up some options for 3RS and 2R modelers.
Mike DeBerg posted:Awesome! Great job on the updates! Are the SD40-2's and SD70M-2/ACe's in the backlog? Since this model doesn't have a fixed pilot option, would open up some options for 3RS and 2R modelers.
Well, I don't have nearly the extensive collection most of you guys have, lol - I've actually now done the pilots I need for my diesels.
Are those models not the same as, or similar enough, to the SD45 or SD90 to use those parts? The models may be the same, even if the prototypes differ. For example, my SD45 even says 'SD40-2R' on the cab.
I do still have an Alco S2 I'm going to do at some point, but beyond that, it may be a while. 
Sounds like an opportunity to expand your diesel fleet! 
Seriously I would be happy to send you a locomotive for prototyping, measurements, etc.
When I first purchased the pilots for the SD90 they did not fit the SD70ACe/M-2, will have to check the SD45 pilot, but think it will be different enough that the SD40-2 will need it's own pilot.
Mike DeBerg posted:Sounds like an opportunity to expand your diesel fleet!
When I first purchased the pilots for the SD90 they did not fit the SD70ACe/M-2, will have to check the SD45 pilot, but think it will be different enough that the SD40-2 will need it's own pilot.
The 90 and the 70 pilots are shaped different. I think that's where MTH may have made an error at first or knew this? I bet they learned it fast. They made a modern GE pilot and a modern EMD pilot. The models are different. I took plastic versions, mounted them, and ignored this.
I'm not sure if that's why they did not release some diesels in 2 rail versions that did have 3/2 trucks and pilot mounts?? They would need to invest in fixed pilot molds for each model that is different? This method of custom pilots for each model is the way to go for pickier (concerning) customers.
BTW maybe the MTH 2 rail plow is the same for all the models too?
This thread is an oldie but a goodie worth bringing back to the top. I finished this project late last summer, but never posted pictures. Looking back it’s hard to believe how long ago I ordered the parts before getting around to this one. I dabble in UP and always had a soft spot for the SD90/43 MACs.
The original idea of “three-rail scale” and this sub forum was to eliminate the vestiges of toy train compromises (floating pilots, oversized couplers and the like) as much as possible. Erik’s parts are another great resource for doing that. Thanks again, Erik!
RM
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Hey Rich,
I'm glad you brought this thread back up. I will be trying my hand at 3-rail scaling a few of my diesels in the near future. Is the unit you posted made by MTH or Lionel? If it is an MTH product, do you know if these pilots will work on other MTH models such as the SD40-2?
Dave
Where does one get these SD90Mac pilots?
- Crank
@Eccentric Crank posted:Where does one get these SD90Mac pilots?
- Crank
Thor73 has a page up on ShapeWays here.
@luvindemtrains posted:Hey Rich,
I'm glad you brought this thread back up. I will be trying my hand at 3-rail scaling a few of my diesels in the near future. Is the unit you posted made by MTH or Lionel? If it is an MTH product, do you know if these pilots will work on other MTH models such as the SD40-2?
Dave
Dave,
That’s an MTH model. No, these pilots won’t work for the SD40-2. The frame and pilot contours are very different. Having converted a couple of SD40-2s, I can tell you there’s no good or easy solution for converting them. Even when I was done I wasn’t happy with the appearance. The MTH tooling is old tooling and inaccurate in a lot of ways. You might consider instead ordering the Sunset Third Rail model, which should actually make it into production later this year, according to Scott Mann.
RM
@Rich Montague posted:This thread is an oldie but a goodie worth bringing back to the top. I finished this project late last summer, but never posted pictures. Looking back it’s hard to believe how long ago I ordered the parts before getting around to this one. I dabble in UP and always had a soft spot for the SD90/43 MACs.
The original idea of “three-rail scale” and this sub forum was to eliminate the vestiges of toy train compromises (floating pilots, oversized couplers and the like) as much as possible. Erik’s parts are another great resource for doing that. Thanks again, Erik!
RM
Rich!! Those look fantastic!! Great work and like the full handrails so much
@Rich Montague posted:This thread is an oldie but a goodie worth bringing back to the top. I finished this project late last summer, but never posted pictures. Looking back it’s hard to believe how long ago I ordered the parts before getting around to this one. I dabble in UP and always had a soft spot for the SD90/43 MACs.
The original idea of “three-rail scale” and this sub forum was to eliminate the vestiges of toy train compromises (floating pilots, oversized couplers and the like) as much as possible. Erik’s parts are another great resource for doing that. Thanks again, Erik!
That looks amazing, Rich, nicely done. Looks great in UP colors. The full length handrails really finish it off - I still need to do that on mine, actually.... 
How did you match the paint to the existing colors so well? I have a couple of these pilots that I've designed and printed for my ES44s and SD45, but the projects stalled when I had difficulty matching the BNSF black. I thought black would be easy, lol. I remember taking quite a few iterations to get the UP gray right on my SW9 a while back as well.
Erik,
Thanks for the kind words. I kind of lucked out on the paint. I remembered from another project some years ago that Scalecoat II is a near perfect match for MTH’s rendition of Harbor Mist Grey. (Atlas is another story).
In addition to adding full handrails, I swapped out the factory windshield wipers with Bachman parts for a more prototypical look. I also changed the horn and fabricated the MU cable holders on the handrail stanchions from cotton swab stems. I’ve got to thank you again for designing these parts. They work really well and perfectly capture the unique contour of the SD90 step wells.
I like your parts so much I have another project in mind using your ES44 pilots.
RM
Here's a UP ES44 I've been working on using Erik's Pilots. This ES44 has been converted to full time 2 Rail, started life as a standard MTH "Hi-Rail" model. I've also done a SD80mac using the SD90 pilots. I still need to remove the shell and make new full length handrails that are mounted to body, same as I did for the handrails at the anti-climber. I also added a few of my own details such as grab irons and hoses. Color matched the parts using Scale Coat II UP Harbor Mist with a coat of Dull coat, all parts were painted with an Airbrush to keep it smooth.
Erik did a great job on these, I hope he does more in the future. I know this takes a long time to develop as we model in Revit for BIM ourselves. I'd guess between 30-40 hrs per pilot including all the needed measurements and studying online pics of the prototype. They are fragile, hopefully in the future shapeways adds a different print medium option. These would be awesome in some type of printed metal but I'm sure that would be $$$$$$.
Side note; does anyone know if the SD90 pilots would fit the MTH SD70mac? MTH never offered these with scale wheels and fixed pilots.
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