EM-1 / Cabforward -- bash progress thread -- N Scale

Carl Sowell May 16, 2022

  1. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is the completed tender. I removed all of the wiring and re-did it with a smaller more flexible plug set and have done some light weathering :

    [​IMG]

    Here is the cab unit just sitting on chassis to get an image, for looking out for "fix ums" :

    [​IMG]

    It is about ready to mount as I have since added coupler and touched up the black paint. On the other end of loco I have completely re-done the monkey deck and the red/black pickup wires from tender.

    Should, if life doesn't get in the way, complete this project this coming weekend then program the decoder, run a PFE consist behind her and make a video. Can hardly wait, like a kid at Christmas time !!!!

    Be safe, be well !
     
  2. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    That is looking great!!
     
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  3. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Alan, thanks the positive is much appreciated.

    I just can not resist posting progress shots., so here is one from last night. As you can see, I need to gently cram the lights wiring into the cab, attach roof, attach trailing truck, do some heavier weathering and dull cote it. Need to add an air tank under the cab behind the pilot. Should have it running this weekend . . . . . .

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Be safe, be well !!
     
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  4. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now, I ask for recommendations, please !!

    Above I stated that I needed to gently "cram" all the wires into the cab, well I did and in an effort to see if I had torn any solder joints loose I made an image. No screwed up wiring, hot darn!

    [​IMG]

    My question is :

    Should I paint the hand rails and step pads silver or white to high lite them? I see some light bleed around the headlight base. I will adjust the brightness of the headlight and firebox in decoder Pro. I added an air tank behind the pilot to fill in dead space. I need to add both pony truck and trailing truck, add roof.

    Any other suggestion are welcome ! !

    Thanks for watching !
     
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  5. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    Really enjoying your progress. Only suggestion I could think of is a Wile Coyote splatted on the pilot...:)
     
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  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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  7. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Carl....

    IMHO I would paint the handrails....front fascia...and the smoke-box a gray or silver. But that's just me.
     
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  8. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    If you would paint the wheels with a white outline, then white. If leaving the wheels as is, like mtntrainman said, silver.
     
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  9. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Deacon,

    thanks for your comments. I particularly liked your 1st one :

    [​IMG]


    George,

    thanks for your suggestion. I had thought about a silver front ala SP so I may paint it and the hand rails/step pads in silver.


    All be safe, be well !
     
  10. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    For the headlight bleed, another fine bead of black paint on the outside, and a coat of black inside would help.

    I agree the silver would be most appropriate.

    And Wile E. needs folded over the pilot and front step with his feet 'dragging' under the unit! :p
     
  11. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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  12. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here are 2 images that I just made. I think it looks better and after touching up black and doing some weathering and finally dulcote the bright shiny black & silver will tone down nicely. . . . . . .
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  13. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

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    Nice work Carl - Looking good
     
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  14. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's GREAT Carl! :D

    That engine is really coming along. Nice work sir! (y)(y)(y)
     
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  15. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am calling this project complete, I'll make a video soon of her at work with a reefer (railcar) block in tow ;

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    El Fin, on to the next project:
    [​IMG]
     
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  16. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    Cool!
     
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  17. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks to all of you for following along with my project and especially for all the likes. I should have known that I was not finished making pictures. So, before I glue the cab roof on I wanted to make sure the wiring was still OK and tested the forward/backward movement which is great. That EM-1 with the LokPilot decoder is very smooth.

    The "flicker" obviously does not show but it is there :

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I have both LED's set down to brightness setting of 2 and the firebox is still too bright, in my opinion. I may paint some black on the sides of that LED.

    Do any of you know what the difference is between "firebox" and "intelligent firebox" in the ESU decoder ? Yes, I have read their poop but that is like reading gibberish. I need "ESU for Dummies".
     
  18. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Carl, that is a very cool build, job well done! Looking forward to the 4-8-4 build
     
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  19. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    OK Carl...

    Video or it didn't happen ! :p:p:whistle:
     
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  20. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    The intelligent firebox flickers in relation to the load on it. So it flickers kind of in time with the chuffs. Vdery cool! And that video will be the key to end a very fun bash!!
     
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