|
|
Post by bxmoore on Aug 14, 2008 17:22:26 GMT -5
Two single-tank tiger-stripe SD7s (5288 and 5289) were sent to San Luis Obispo in 1953 for helper service, and an extra 15 tons of ballast was added to each. They were the only two never to get the barrel lights added. As the chassis of the Proto SD7 does not allow simple removal of one of the two tanks, I asked my friend Rob Mallet to mill out the space. He stripped each loco completely, and was able to fit in a packing piece to hold one end of the motor with hot glue:  The styrene fitting is painted black, and is invisible from most angles. The single tank has a styrene end:  Here's two pictures of the twins (AKA Donald and Douglas, with thanks to Thomas and friends) being "really useful engines" - note the space between the bogies:   Both locomotives have a Loksound 3.5 chip installed.  Brian |
|
|
|
Post by espeelover on Aug 14, 2008 19:23:07 GMT -5
Brian, I want those SD7's! Would it be too much trouble to get a bit more detail on this conversion from your buddy Rob? I have looked at doing it, but without an end mill, have been loathe to commence butchery with my hack saw. I did this once on an Athearn chassis, but it was filled with lead for a can motor, so it stayed together with a bit of epoxy. Very cool my friend!  |
|
|
|
Post by bxmoore on Aug 16, 2008 14:43:47 GMT -5
Hello John Many thanks for the complements. I talked to Rob, and I will relate more details of how he did the work soon. In the meantime, here's a further two pics , of all 6 of my tiger-stripe SD7s, taken on the club layout this afternoon, which show how 5288 & 5289 look in comparison to the unaltered locomotives.   Brian |
|
|
|
Post by thespcaboose on Aug 21, 2008 17:55:01 GMT -5
Fantastic photos!
|
|
|
|
Post by espeelover on Nov 1, 2008 16:46:54 GMT -5
Hello John Many thanks for the complements. I talked to Rob, and I will relate more details of how he did the work soon. In the meantime, here's a further two pics , of all 6 of my tiger-stripe SD7s, taken on the club layout this afternoon, which show how 5288 & 5289 look in comparison to the unaltered locomotives. Brian Brian, I do not suppose that you were ever able to get that follow up info for me were you? I'm still loving those models! |
|
|
|
Post by bxmoore on Nov 10, 2008 9:14:16 GMT -5
OOOOPS! I am sorry to say that it completely slipped by brain - the pleasures of middle age! I promise that I'll get the details from Rob at the club meeting this Saturday, and pass them on to you.
Humble apologies, John.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by bxmoore on Nov 16, 2008 8:50:20 GMT -5
John
I talked to Rob and he said that it was very straight-forward. He stripped the loco down to the frame, and removed the motor etc. He cut the plastic double fuel tank in two, and used styrene sheet cut to size to create the new tank end, and filled any gaps with putty. Always remember what part you are removing, and keep a reminder handy at all times!
He then took a hacksaw to the loco chassis and made a cut level with the bottom of the motor and the chassis, to half-way along where the remaining fuel tank is, and used a file to smooth it all down. Two protruding lugs were removed from the engine mounting, and he used hot-melt glue to keep that side of the motor tight when he put it all back together again. Then he used styrene strip to build up a small housing below the motor where the removed metal once was. All was then painted black.
He says that it is all very self-explanatory once you start. Good luck, and apologies for not getting back to you sooner.
Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by espeelover on Nov 16, 2008 20:27:04 GMT -5
Thanks Brian,
No apologies needed, it was not like we had a contract or something; after all we all have
lives outside of the SP...although I do not know why.
Again, thank you, I was mostly afraid to attack the frame without some form of guide.
That conversion sounds like what I did to an Athearn SD9 (trying to make a SD7) about
a million years ago. I will have to screw up the courage to begin now.[glow=limegreen,3,300] Nicely Done![/glow]
|
|
|
|
Post by bxmoore on Nov 17, 2008 14:38:37 GMT -5
No problem, John. As Rob said himself, it's a bit of a bodge-it job - just do it, cross the fingers, and disguise any mistakes afterwards - just like you probably did to the original Athearn. Seriously, there's not a lot that can go wrong.
May The Force be with you.
Happy days.
Brian
|
|
