large-scale diesel models

6/03/2017

CBQ #9908 - almost finished

Missing only the windows CBQ is almost finished

5/14/2017

#9908 - painted & temporary assembled

Current decals are rather poor (on one side only) and will be replaced by sharper ones

4/13/2017

It took three evenings to build the pilot from brass. First a mock-up was made from cardboard to determine the shape of the base, the correct angle and the compound-curved sides.
Then these patterns were used to cut the brass sheets. Soldering was done with silver-solder.
Finally some cutting and filing to adapt the curved transition from the side-sills / anti-climber to the pilot.

4/10/2017

CBQ #9908 - now riding on trucks

#9908 received its trucks - the six-wheeled front truck was donored by an USA.Trains SD40-2, the rear is a powered (in contrast to the prototype) Aristo-Craft FB-truck.

The front truck will be modified to resemble the Blomberg-design

4/04/2017

CBQ #9908: progress on shell

Some progress on #9908's shell:

3/23/2017

UP M-23: paint job on trailer finished

Finally the trailer got his paint - still missing the lettering

After Application of deals the body will receive a matte or semi gloss coat

3/19/2017

CBQ #9908 - progress on shovelnose

The shovelnose is now roughly finished - all windows and the air-inlet above cut out. Also the combination of the frontlight and the later added warning/emergency light in an add-on housing are attached.

3/10/2017

GM&O #1900

Some further progress on painting the unit - addtionally I enlarged the inner diameter of the portholes

For the photos I temporary put masking tape as sunshades its holders - after final varnish I'll look for thin tissue.

2/25/2017

#9908 - cab's front substructure

Two horizontal and one vertical formers with an 0.040" styrene overlay make the substructure of the cab. After building a similar construction for the raised roof of the engine room these areas will be covered with glass-fiber & resin.

and a few days later

GM&O #1900 - further painting

First look after application of the light black on roof and front & rear pilots. Some corrections on the border lines betwen red and black will have to be done.

CB&Q #9908 'Silver Charger'

Since I've developed an affection for CB&Q's fluted stainless steel locomotives I decided to tackle #9908 'Silver Charger' the locmotive of 'General Pershing Zephyr'.

I use an USA-Train streamliner (a diner) for the shell. Trucks will be either a poered front truck only (like the prototype) probably using an USA-Trains' SD-40-truck and turning the side frames into 'Blomberg'-look-a-likes. Since the train with #9908 will only consist of three cars or so this might be sufficient. It may also be a solution to get more powr using an Aristo-FA-truck for the rear...however, thia would depend on the speed's matching of the two types.

Shortened, the windows filled and resting on tweo FA-trucks - it'll be a long way to resemble the beautiful #9908....