MARC E9-Ex Burlington Northern

JimmyZ Feb 23, 2023

  1. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    Hello. Looking for some help on a new project. I purchased the Fusion Scale MARC decals and want to make the MARC E9 from an extra undecorated shell I had lying around. Painting should be very easy since the stripes are included as decals. The one thing I'm stuck on is the roof detail. There are definitely some differences from the BN units but I can't find any good overhead shots to see what those differences are. Any thoughts/feedback/ideas would be much appreciated.

    fusion scale.JPG marc E9.jpg
     
  2. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

    1,540
    2,131
    46
    Those modifications were made by Morrison-Knudsen when the locomotives were repowered with 645s and had the steam generators replaced by HEP.

    The forward arrow in your drawing is for two additional fans placed side-by-side rather than down the centerline of the roof. I'm pretty sure these are for dynamic brakes. The rear one is exhaust for the HEP system where the steam generator was before. There is some additional plumbing on the roof as well, Your image shows some pipes running down the side of the roof, the other side of the locomotive is mostly the same.

    Here's a few pictures: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5026318

    Also worth looking at photos of brass models for quick reference: https://www.brasstrains.com/Classic...ern-E9-E9A-Commuter-Service-9917-F-P-1993-Run

    Rapido is making the HEP E units in their next run of models, and it looks like it has the extra fans in the center.

    The dynamic brake box is easy to build from styrene and two Cannon fans. The rear of the unit has another cooling fan in the center of the hatch for the HEP. It looks like the MARC units had this area enclosed in that shuttered box. The BN units have a fan with two exhaust mufflers where the steam generator hatch used to be. Some other MARC units had snow shields installed over the fans, so I'm assuming the box was added to protect the equipment. The internals should be the same as BN.

    LTEX 9925 was ex-MARC, rrpicturearchives has some good roof shots of it. Looks like the box has a flat top. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locopicture.aspx?id=72503
    If you can find a way to make this part from styrene or 3D print, you don't need to make the BN style HEP setup with separate exhaust and fan.
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/fan-t...R-nzxKGr-QcSDsq-8UH8To-2nWBDjT-2eoptEK-C7heQZ
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2023
    acptulsa, BoxcabE50 and BNSF FAN like this.
  3. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    That's great info. Thank you!!!
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  4. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    I was able to make a thermoplastic mold of the fans and create some duplicates out of milliput putty. Waiting for it to dry completely before sanding the sides so they don't quite look as good as they can yet. Blocked out the side windows and moving along on the modifications.
     

    Attached Files:

    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  5. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    Getting there! Blocked out the windows shaved off the molded-on details and lower headlight, filled in the pilot and worked on the fans and plumbing. Still have a bit to go before primer but it's starting to look the Marc E9. IMG_0175 (2).jpg
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  6. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,021
    44
    Coming along nicely
     
  7. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    A little more progress. Added rivet decals to the areas that were affected while filling the windows. Also added the rear louvers and smoothed put the imperfections revealed after the first primer coat. IMG_0187.jpg IMG_0189.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Mike VE2TRV and BNSF FAN like this.
  8. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

    1,540
    2,131
    46
    Looks pretty good so far. Are those MicroMark or Archer louvers? I'd like to see how those turn out on the finished model. I don't see a lot of people use these decal sheets on their models.
     
  9. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,021
    44
    Last I heard archer is closed
     
  10. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    They are the MicroMark Rivet/Louver sheet. Archer is no longer making these and there are no HO scale sheets to be found. I feel the Archer decals were better but unfortunately that's no longer an option.
     
  11. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,021
    44
    Thanks for that JZ
     
  12. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    Laid the cascade green on. Not the clearest pic but you can see how the louver decals show up under the paint. IMG_0204.jpg
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  13. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    Most of the major body work is done. I'll need to add a strobe, steps, antenna, windshield wipers, etc but the most difficult work is done.
    _8503379.jpg _8503376.jpg _8503369.jpg
     
  14. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,021
    44
    Looks great
     
    gjslsffan likes this.
  15. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    Thanks! The decals were a little tough to get to snuggle down over the details but overall I'm happy with it. The MicroMark rivets and louvers show up better than the pictures represent.
     
  16. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

    2,626
    5,747
    69
    Thats a great looking shell there! Looks spot on, while I havent modeled very much passenger equipment this looks really good. Some of those E units were pretty busy on the roof. You have done a great job of replicating that. They are sure long locomotives.
     
  17. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    Thanks for the kind words. I saw the decals online an thought it would be something interesting to model. Didn't realize how much work needed to be done to create an accurate looking loco.
     
  18. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,021
    44
    (y)
     
  19. JimmyZ

    JimmyZ TrainBoard Member

    184
    187
    18
    I'm calling this one "almost" complete. After looking at these pictures, I noticed a couple areas that need touch up, mainly the handrails. Overall, I think it came out pretty good. _8503384.jpg

    _8503385.jpg

    _8503388.jpg
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  20. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

    1,927
    2,021
    44
    Watching my csx video
    Into the Allegheny range volume 1
    Low and behold several shots of marc E9 #68 in BN colors on a baseball special

    Unique unit
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2023

Share This Page