(EMD) G scale engine CR (NS) SD80MAC build

playing with ideas for the sand filler caps. I could mold them from my ACe. Too easy I guess?

Joe, looks like the ones you have are pretty good. 

I was watching my own video above again, and this video happened to pop up at the end. I love it! 

Willy Gee, listen to this one if you have the time.

They ain't pretty..... but they'll do.

"more fun with grilles!" 

Man, this thing is big!

conductor/brakeman's side gets a bump out panel at the generator/intake/exhaust area

The engineer's side gets the same panel but it has a door cutout in it.

I built a inertia grille for my SD70ACe that I can't replicate? I think I remember how I did it. I just lost the touch.

I'm trying to build in some details. I just feel like I don't care to waste too much time when I can't get it right. I'm saying.... close enough.....

Urrggg! Details, details, details....

Joe,

You're doing great work. It'll be worth it. I look forward to seeing your progress and of course the end product.

Best,

RM

can't wait to see how the paint turns out.  Conrail Quality?  you have your own Altoonaworks rollin along good!

It is frustrating when my hands and even my eyes won't do what I think they should. I'll keep trying but it is frustrating! I think I can do something straight and even and then things go south fast!

after some light filing and angle drilling...

and finally, glued to top step and laid into place for looks....

I built this yesterday. It took me until now just to get it mounted?

Joe:

You know that as soon as you finish this one and get it painted and filmed on the rails with a train that MTH will announce the relase of an SD80MAC, SD90MAC and an SD 9043MAC.

Nice build.

Always there for me Matt? !! 

Of course, you are right. 

It ends up that I'm glad I built my own. It ain't perfect, but it fits the part. It has been a few years now that I've got to run the couple of engines that I wanted. I should have built more. It is expensive and very time consuming. So I just dabble in it. If I had the money, I would have built many more I think?

 Now, all these years later, the prices have caught up to near what it cost me to build one back then. Of course, I got the enjoyment for those years too. I should have finished each one. My attention always goes to the one I don't have!

Ahhh, she had to go to work on the RR. Can't wait for the complete engine when the weather is this great outside.

I poured several plastic door panels and none came out perfect. I gave up and decided to take her out in the bright sun light.

It looks nice.  I was waiting for you to get back at it.  I like watching your builds.

Gene Anstine

Looking good. The paint on the Hybrid turned out nicely, too.

I have been trying different things on each build. I wanted the detailing to look better. I've tried to just scratch in the door panel divides (SD70ACe), add thin door panel blanks (ES44ACH), and now cast thin door panels. Many casts have failed for various reasons. Some had air bubbles or holes. Some weren't the correct mix and were too soft, etc.

 So I'm getting there and only working on this when I have extra time.

So many more details to go! I lost interest and tried to get back into this. I threw a coat of primer on to make it look more done?

... and some blue added...