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February 4, 2017 at 7:23 pm #5861ImporterImportee1Member
This is my first attempt to build a model and post progress photos for others. When I started this project in Fall. 2015, there were no models with factory-installed DCC/sound of early MP switchers and I needed a SW7 for my 1963 Kansas City West Bottoms layout.
I found a picture of ex-C&EI SW7 #1211 from 1964 in Kansas City and I chose that unit to model. I started with an undecorated BLI NW2/SW7 and quickly realized the prototype had sill-mounted stanchions supporting a handrail along the walkway. Ugh. Bending my own handrails and installing stanchions on my first loco project seemed like a challenge. Maybe foolishly, I plunged ahead, but not in a hurry.
Drilling the mounting holes for the stanchions into the metal sill was “exciting”. The resulting handrails stand up OK on the layout but not so well to the uncompromising camera lens.
The attached photos show 1211 as it sits on my layout now: painted, but not touched up (the delrin handrails, despite being prepped with Micro-Prep, stubbornly refuse to hold paint very well), and not weathered. I haven’t decided if I will install the cab sunshades since my layout hosts occasional op sessions and I hear that sunshades are often a casualty from clumsy handling.
Thanks for looking and I welcome any comments or questions.
-Mike Bowline
February 4, 2017 at 10:49 pm #8209peggyrothschildParticipantVery nice job on the handrails looks like they came out perfectly. How did you choose 1963 as your modeling timeframe?
A-Line makes some brass EMD sun shades with two long pins that should standup to handling. I’ve put them on my P2k rebuilds and my KO&G GP7 without them being knocked off.
February 4, 2017 at 11:33 pm #8210ImporterImportee1MemberCharlie, thanks for the comment about the handrails.
I have seen the A-Line sunshades with the brass mounting pins indeed look like they’d resist handling better than paper or styrene. I’ll give them a look and thanks for the tip.
There were many factors that lead me to choose 1963 as the year to model: I prefer running boards on freight cars, I like first and second gen diesels, I wanted to model a year after the 1951 flood which I will depict on my structures with a flood high-water line, I like cabooses (especially transfer cabooses), and lastly: the Kansas City Terminal RY received their SW1200s in 1963 and I really liked those engines (plus a NYC SW1200 is a good starting point to model a couple of them. Of course, they have handrails that will need to be modified, too to create a representative model of the KCT SW 1200s.)
Other than a “show” SD40-2 that I run just for fun, I’ve been successful staying within the 1963 modeling year.
February 5, 2017 at 5:18 am #8211Joseph BerryParticipantMike,
Thanks for posting. The switcher looks right at home! Very nice looking street as well. Great “bottoms” feel in the photo.
February 14, 2017 at 6:05 pm #8230clemmie_doris12ParticipantMike, I think your engine looks pretty good. I agree with Gary, you did a fine job of capturing the West Bottoms atmosphere. I spent 25 years working for UP in KC, so I am very familiar with that area.
September 25, 2017 at 6:44 pm #8472ImporterImportee1Member@[email protected] wrote:
Charlie, thanks for the comment about the handrails.
I have seen the A-Line sunshades with the brass mounting pins indeed look like they’d resist handling better than paper or styrene. I’ll give them a look and thanks for the tip.
I have primed, painted, measured, drilled, and installed the A-Line sunshades and they look very good. They’ve also withstood some handling.
Thanks again for the tip.
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