Looking for SW8/9/1200 windows

Nice work Mike!

As far as the Atlas factory windows, I still have them, but I want to upgrade.  Chooch Enterprises contacted me this morning stating they still carry the laser cut flush fitting windows. 

I like building models, and have always been fascinated with the challenge of upgrading my models.  On my Atlas SW1200, I want to address the thick cab walls as well as add or upgrade other details.  The two places on the cab that stand out are the roof and windows.  Both places show the cross section of the cab and it scales out to 5 inches thick!  I think it visually takes away from a nice model.  The flush fitting replacement windows can help by removing the "shelf" left by the factory window inserts. 

I've installed the chooch windows in a couple of SWs. worth the work.

I wish someone would make a mold out of resin or metal for all weather windows on the sides of the SW cabs. Don't say they are easy to knock up, not easy when your doing everything else on a large layout by yourself, sometimes you have to pay someone for these little bits and pieces. Roo.

Roo,

I would love to see more O scale diesel detail parts.  The hobby for me has always been more about building models vs buying them, but I fully understand the time and resource balancing that finishing even a small layout requires!  Add to that, you have done an amazing job of building your layout more than once!  I retire in a few months...maybe I should learn how to reproduce detail parts like all the garage based manufactures used to do in HO back in the 80s and 90s!  I wouldn't hold your breath!

Dave,

Thanks for your observations with the windows.  I'll be looking closely; if they don't work out, maybe they will lead me to the next answer.  Anything will be better than the poor factory bubble windows.  In my opinion, all the hard work that was put into designing the cab was virtually wasted by the half-a***d windows.  There used to be a saying frequently spoken at prototype modeling meets; "It ultimately costs less to do it right the first time!".  I know that the guys behind Chooch have a long reputation for innovation and precision in O scale, at least on a personal level.  I also know that being a manufacture at the same level is exponentially harder!  Most of the failures are outside of the span of control of the guy fronting the business.  Luck for me, I like the struggle and triumph building my models!

Rick,

Excellent work as always! Good to hear that Chooch has the windows again.  I had a set from years ago which I recently installed. They aren't a perfect fit and there are a couple of gaps. In fact the wiper on the left in this picture is hiding a gap.

As others have said, better they were a bit too large than too small - easier to file down than to fill gaps!  I found painting the inside edge of the window cut-outs and the outer edges of the window panes matt black before installing really helped them look thin. 

I used small amounts of canopy cement and pushed the windows as far to the outside of each cut-out as I dared. With my 1.5:1 scale fingers I found it hard to get each pane flush and equal, and to make them stay level while the glue dried.  Maybe Aileen's Tacky Glue in tiny amounts would have been a better choice.  Oh well, next time...      

Rick Bacon posted:

Roo,

I would love to see more O scale diesel detail parts.

...

http://kvmodels.com/o-scale-products/

All weather windows

I have 2 sets of the KV models etchings, they are beautiful. I hope to get started on them soon.

Mathom posted:

All weather windows

Two sets are on their way (eventually) to West Australia. I would have ordered more except I don't know yet if they will fit the SW's I think they will if so they will get another order I have Ten SW locos to convert. Thanks Mathom. 

And thanks Rick for your kind remarks and mate, you do great high quality work, love what your doing on the SW'S. Roo

A little update on progress. The window issue hasn't been solved yet but I'm busy working on other details.  Here is a composite shot of some of the details I'm working on. 

The jury is still out on the KV Models radiator core. The etching is very nice! There are some valid concerns about it blocking sound. Until I get to the part of the build where I fit the speaker, I won’t be able to make my final decision. In the meantime, I went ahead and did some finish painting on the KV part. I spray painted the core a base dark brown. After this was cured, I dry brushed silver over the entire part to force a contrast in the texture. On top of this, a dry brushed a small amount of light green around the lower edges of the cores to simulate brass corrosion. A little update on progress.

Roo posted:

Mathom posted:

All weather windows

Two sets are on their way (eventually) to West Australia. I would have ordered more except I don't know yet if they will fit the SW's I think they will if so they will get another order I have Ten SW locos to convert. Thanks Mathom. 

And thanks Rick for your kind remarks and mate, you do great high quality work, love what your doing on the SW'S. Roo

I received my windows today Shapeways great firm to deal with and I'm in Western Australia ! Roo.

Roo,

Glad I could help.  Can't wait to see them installed.

Mark 

Here is my next step in my quest to address the overly thick cab walls. EMD cabs have sliding windows on the sides of the cab. These are two separate panes of glazing that slide behind the cab wall to the left and right. These panes are trimmed with aluminum channel. When fully opened, the windows are hidden with only the aluminum trim visible from the outside. I surmise that replicating this bit of visible trim might hide the overly thick wall profile. It is also common to find an arm rest or cushion along the bottom edge of the window opening. This too can hide the thick cab wall.

I used some pieces of 0.020 x 0.040 styrene strip to simulate the window trim. The arm rest is a piece of styrene channel with the corners rounded off. I will paint the trim aluminum and the arm rest a weathered leather color.

Here is a couple overviews of the progress so far. Still to be completed is the horn and bell, headlights, front handrails, and fabricating the anti-climber/coupler buffers. I haven’t permanently mounted the KV screens, radiator core, and fan yet. There are a number of smaller fragile details that will be added after the paint job in complete.

Also, a comparison of the factory screens, steps, and pilot details to the KV Models replacements.

Rick,

Are you fabricating the front handrails? Where did you get the brass lift rings?

The KV parts look great, good job! Can’t wait to see it painted.

thanks, Malcolm 

Malcolm,

The brass lift rings are Atlas parts.  Some releases had the brass parts (lift rings, handrail stanchions, bell, and horn) and other releases had plastic parts.  This project started with two locomotives, and I'm mixing the parts to achieve the details I want.  I read somewhere that Atlas may have the brass parts in stock; a phone call might sort it out.  I am going to try the factory front handrails first.  If I don't like them, I'll probably end up making my own...we'll see!

I think they look better unpainted at least you can see the work that goes into these projects and that includes your cabooses Malcolm.

Of course we always paint them in the end and cover up all this work . Thanks for posting Rick, nice work. Roo.

Hey guys,

Does anybody have copies of the Atlas O Scale parts diagrams for the SW series locomotives?  I already checked the Atlas website.  They don't list the parts diagrams for the SWs.  They do list a few parts.  I have a diagram that came with one of my models but it doesn't have part numbers and is also incomplete for the different versions offered over time. 

I would be grateful if I could get a scanned copy or even an in focus cell phone shot of the diagrams. 

I'm going to call Atlas parts department about unlisted parts that I'm missing (or would like extras) and the part numbers would help avoid confusion!

Roo posted:

I wish someone would make a mold out of resin or metal for all weather windows on the sides of the SW cabs. Don't say they are easy to knock up, not easy when your doing everything else on a large layout by yourself, sometimes you have to pay someone for these little bits and pieces. Roo.

Nev

Drop Jay at Right O Way an email he has all weather windows in stock  - I think they are done by Red Cliff. I've got a couple up the stairs I can dig out and check tomorrow for you.

Colin

Now that most of the modifications and detailing is done, it’s time to start adding color! I use a basic flat grey primer to even out all the different material colors before the finishing colors are applied. I masked off all the screw holes so they won’t get clogged with paint.

I made a couple simple wooden fixtures to hold the frame and body while painting. These are self-standing and serve as hand holds.

The cab is still waiting on windows, so it isn’t being painted in this round. Also the trucks need to be cleaned and tuned so the side frames will be painted later.

The Dark Gray and Colonial Red finish colors are a glossy finish so decals will set better. I will let the new paint set for at least a week so it will be fully hardened before I start on decals.

As a project like this nears the finish it can be easy to miss something. The paint phase is a big event as it closes out the previous detailing and modification phases. Once the paint is on, it is super hard to make corrections or add a forgotten detail without damaging the paint.

I find it helpful to make a check list of the entire project in order to think through the whole project and make sure each step is complete and in the proper order. The list can also help visualize what still needs work and what needs purchased. I also take the time to group the remaining sub-assemblies into finish colors.

Rick, great progress and tips for completing a project like this! 

Rick,

Very nice build!  Makes me feel like a slacker!

Dave

Nice modelling Rick.

I've been working since June on this O scale SW1200.  I've made some progress; its all painted and decaled for my freelance railroad.  Now I'm working on weathering layers.  I'm somewhere between the rust layer and the worn off metal layer!

The weathering looks great! I would love to see the KV grills when you get them weathered.

Rick Bacon posted:

I've been working since June on this O scale SW1200.  I've made some progress; its all painted and decaled for my freelance railroad.  Now I'm working on weathering layers.  I'm somewhere between the rust layer and the worn off metal layer!

Rick.

Can you come over and weather my locos! Great work. Roo.

Roo and Brother Love,

You two are among my top influences in O scale!  Thanks for your kind words! 

Here is a bad lighting shot of the KV top and front grills.  I haven't installed the shudders and fan yet and I think I'm going to hold off on the KV radiator core in order to accommodate a Tang Band speaker.

Here is the KV running boards and steps.  I modified the steps to open them up between levels.  Some SWs had closed step wells and that is how the KV steps are designed.

Here is a shot of the recently completed front screen area with the shudders and fan visible through the screen. The fan, shudder, screen, and housing are all KV Models etched parts.

This thread has now gone full circle!  Chooch Enterprises Inc. has just announced that they have added their laser cut windows to their catalog.

Great modeling ! I’ve got 3 sets of the KV details. I hope to get to them soon. The radiator shots are beautiful!

The end is near! I bit the bullet and hand cut the windows! It only took about 2 hours! I used .015 clear styrene. I trimmed each window to roughly the shape needed and used a multi-grit sanding stick to make the final fit. Each window is pressure fit but I still used a tiny amount of Testors Canopy Glue as insurance.

The last details are the windshield wipers, sun shade, and hand rails.

All that is left now is to plug in the decoder and go for a test drive!

Rick, good going!

Dan Weinhold

Wow that turned out well!  Superb weathering also and that beacon looks totally real. 

Great looking engine. I started working on a SW9 tonight and am planning on buying the KV details. I was wondering if you've fitted the speaker yet and decided wether to use the radiator core. I was thinking about orienting my speaker toward the front fan grill so I could still use the radiator core and not worry about it blocking sound.

I'm a total novice in the area of detailing locos, so this post is extremely helpful. 

Thanks

Rick, incredible result!    How did you make the rotary beacon?   Looks like a custom beacon and very realistic.   I have some Aaron Hiene electronics but no beacon, at least that aren't oversized. 

Thanks guys for all the encouragement!

Greg, I used a Tang Band 1925S dual speaker.  A search of this board will find a whole thread about these speakers to include some sound clips.  I have heard that ESU is now stocking them also.  The ESU Loksound V4 and V5 decoders drive these easily, and the sound is pretty awesome.

Here is a couple shots of all the magic electronics in my SW1200.  I basically copied the installation form my friend Bob Sobol (search this website for his name...there are several threads about his work).  The speaker is up font; firing up.  The decoder goes in the middle (not actually shown) and is attached to a "mother board" to make all of the wiring connections.  At the back is a homemade board that holds all of the resistors for the LED lights, multi pin connectors for the light harnesses, and screw terminals to plug in the truck and motor wires.

Earlier in this thread I showed the KV Models etched radiator core designed to fit this model.  After some discussion and thought, I have decided to forgo the excellent etching due to concern that it will block sound.  In its place, I made a fake core from some textured dark colored paper.  I simply drew the core supporting structure on the paper with a silver Sharpie marker and taped it inside the shell.  We'll see if it work!  As of now, it at least looks good!

Here is a shot of the completed radiator area showing the fake paper core underneath the KV Models etched screens.