Lionel Burlington Northern SD40 (with scale coupler)

Thank you, Rich!

Rich,

Question: The Signal Bridge who the manufacturer it ?

Good luck.

Thanks ,John 

Those would look even more realistic with full length handrails. Absolutely awesome job on the conversion!  Love the BN paint scheme. 

Hi, what caught my attention was the color of your rails when viewed from the side. Most rail done by others is shown as rusty red/brown, your rail has captured a dusty non-rusted steel look . I like it, what paint do you use to achieve that look?  Thank You   Bill

 John,

  The signal bridge is from MTH however I replaced the Pennsy lights with modern lights from MTH's small signal bridge.  I had to cut and re-attach them rotated by 90 degrees so they stand up straight when you plug them in.  I can easily switch between these and the Pennsy lights.  Detail are in my videos, I think part II.

Jeff,

  Thanks, handrails are next.  I have the piano wire I just need to order some BN green paint.  It will give it the finishing touch.

Bill,

  The color is mostly "Weathered Black" from Joe's model trains.  I bought it from Jeb at Mega-steam.  I also mix in some "Rust" from Model Master and some black to match a railroad tie which is the same color as the real rails that I found it next to.  These are all acrylic paints.  My part II video shows in detail how I mixed, matched and applied the weathering to the track.  Here are some screen shots.

Rich, Nice Job !

Very nice. Good luck. 

Thanks, john 

Those look great! I always enjoy seeing your improvements. 

What a second... Are you THE Black Diamond Railway???????

Yes he is! A great rep for O scale.

Hi Rich, very nice work !!!!

When is your video coming out ?

Alex

Which "model" of the Kadee coupler did you use??

Hi max!

Alex, I'm planning on having the new video ready for fall York.  These engines will surely be in the video and I will be showing how to add these couplers and probably how to extend the handrails. 

SD60M  --  I used the 740 Kadee coupler which is the newer metal box version. 

Lashed them up with my other SD40-2 and GP38.  The sounds are awesome with all four together.  They run so smooth at speed setting 1! 

Rich

Great work I look forward to the new video

Mike

Wow - that all looks awesome. Very nice layout!

There have been a few instances in the new SD40s of the broken handrails. Shipping from China can be tough. Easy fix none-the-less.

Rich,

Same problem with my SD40's handrails. What did you clean off the old glue with and what kind of glue did you use to reattach the handrails to the frame?

Joe 

Joe,

  I used a box cutter knife.. an x-acto will work well also.  I used the flat edge to scrap off the glue and paint and got down to the metal on the hand rail piece.  Try not to gouge it, the glue works better on flat smooth surfaces.  I also did this on the frame side as well.  I then used Gorilla Super Glue.   Use just enough to put a thin coat on both the railing piece and the mount on the frame.   Do both surfaces, front facing and the small one under the frame, that are at 90 degrees from each other.    I then firmly pressed and held it in place for about 20 seconds then let sit for an 1hr.  I tested lightly and it is certainly strong enough to stay through normal use.  I have no idea if it can withstand bending or getting bumped. 

The mount design is flawed.  The older SD40-2 I believe had a large metal mount that had a 90 degree bend that attached under the frame.  This new mount is just a metal plate glued to the face, so I can see why they are easily breaking off. 

Rich.

Great picture Rich, I hope that you detail the swap out on the video.

Nice job 

Very nice indeed, I've always been a fan of that BN scheme.

Great Job Rich, It's really nice to see others swap out to Kadee's. Everything I have has been or is in the process of being changed over. I also love your layout and the videos you have put out in the past. I always check for new one!

Rich, can't wait until your video comes out, they're always so informative!!! Also i hope I'm in it!!LOL

Thanks, Alex

Rich,

More out of curiosity than anything else. When you unscrewed the coupler - why did you need to cut the wires were the black wire is soldered onto the copper coil wire? I would think that Lionel would have given enough room and space - plus a little extra wire to avoid folks messign around with the coupler. Second, did Lionel inser any instructions on the change out? In the past, they don't include it anymore, Altas, inserted a small cheat sheet for the couple exchange on their rolling stock. 

You menttion that ...."I then put electrical tape on the ends and secured the loose wire under the metal braces." Are you concerned this might come loose? Which goes back to the question of why cut the wire?

Thanks in advance for answering.

Kevin

Thank guys!

Alex, you going to be the star!!!

Kevin,

   You have to get rid of the 3-rail coupler right?  So it needs to be removed either by removing the whole wire and coupler assembly or just cutting off the coupler.  As I mentioned Lionel probably has a connector inside so you can remove the whole wire and coupler assembly.  You can see the twisted wire going into the shell via a circular hole.  I'm assuming you can remove the shell and pull the connector and feed it through the hole to remove the whole assembly.   It was just easier for me to cut it since it is very unlikely I will ever put it back and if I do its easy to solder.  Now I was left with a hanging wire I needed to secure so just but it under the brace.  The electrical tape is to avoid a short if I activate the coupler (thats not there). 

Rich

Rich-

I love your layout and scenery...  Its an inspiration!

Rich,

Got it, makes sense. The first post I misunderstood the reason for cutting the wire. Makes sense for speed and to avoid pulling off the shell since it accomplished what needed to be done. It would be interesting to know if the connector does make it through the frame.

Thanks for the explaination.

SD40-2.......that's ok.......

BUT NEW VIDEO!!!  Have all 3......will be waiting!

Kadee needs  to make there couplers work with the legacy remote .

Jofofry,

  I agree.  As I'm doing my next video and I'm showing how to install Kadees, I'm thinking that many folk will not want to give up their remote coupling operation like me.  Although, I'd rather give up the operation for the looks, but it would be great to have the best of both worlds.  Lionel and/or MTH are the likely candidates for making such a coupler. 

B.T.W. Someone asked for a comparison so here are some photos.  Number 7153 is the older Lionel SD40-2, and 6314 is the new SD40.

Hi, I just wanted to say that I had asked a question earlier on OGR forum about how Rich was able to paint and weather his rail to look so realistic.  Rather than the red/brown rust but a steel gray/black look that I prefer. His on line answer here was very good, I ordered all three of his DVDs and they are fabulous . I have been a model railroader now for +/- 50 years now and there were techniques and ideas that I have never seen or heard of.  I highly recommend them, there is something in there for everyone to learn from. Thank You  Bill   

Rich,

When will the new video be on your web to purchase? I think you said prior to York. Are their other ways to get it? Meaning are you selling them at York?

Kevin 

Pictures are excellent. 

Rich,

Can you used the 740 on all the engines? 

Kevin,

 Thanks. The videos will not be ready until the fall york. 

Yes I use Kadee 740  because I need the  medium size shank to work with minimum of 72 curves

Rich,

Thanks on the Kadee Coupler. I will try to find some at York later in the week. You have inspired me to change out the front coupler on my new BTO Southern Bell KCS ES44 from Lionel. If I am successful, your directions are excellent - I will think about converting a few more.

Noted on the new video for fall York - Sign me up for 2 Blu-ray videos.

Kevin 

One final question on the Kadee Couplers - would you use the 940 on rolling stock as well?

Is it just me, or does the SD40-2 model sit higher up on it's trucks?