I would think the blade should show heavy rust, metal color, etc. At least, if it has been used recently....
All the pictures I've seen of 199361 look like it was brand new. It was built from parts in 1960, and apparently didn't even get used until 1967. There were storms in 82-83, and 1994, I think, where it got used as well. I think I've established maybe four big storms where it got called out, and only the one in Arizona. Other than that, it sat in Albuquerque or Topeka. It's been in Topeka since the BNSF merger in 1996. Like most ATSF MOW equipment that wasn't used regularly, it was always looking relatively new; freshly painted. McMillan shows it stored inside in the Albuquerque roundhouse. The more current photos I've seen of it since 1996 have rust and faded paint (and missing wings) , but it never looked like that when it was on ATSF.
No kit on this one. First, it's unique to the ATSF, second it's mostly kitbashed commercial parts with copyright issues, third its expensive: Tichy kit parts $18, Kato six-axle trucks $30; motor $15, universals? Driveshaft & bearings? Yeesh. "NOW" add it a body casting, and that's a Bachmann knock-off for the most part. It took me two years to accumulate the parts. I'm working on another kit, but it isn't this one! I won't say the hobby doesn't need a more modern rotary than the Tichy, but so many of them were so unique that they are ideal for kitbash projects, and that's the point here. The impossible part is done for you - the fan and shroud, the rest is great kitbash meat.
I just ran across this web page and immediately thought about this thread: oobject 20 railroad snowplows
Yup, have seen those. The very best shots I've found so far are in "Santa Fe's Diesel Fleet" by McMillan - black and white but very detailed, front and rear. My first painting did NOT go well, not at all. Not a disaster, but compared to driving, kinda rolling down a hill backwards without brakes, steering backwards, coasting through traffic, and rolling to a halt in an empty parking lot. "WHAT HAPPENED?????" I made sure I had tape that wouldn't lift the primer, and halfway through, the tape lifted off by itself while the paint was still wet, and it started to run a bit. So you quickly brush it out, figuring the blue will cover it. But not the tapelines are gone for the second coat of yellow.... Once again proving that you should NEVER look at threads like this and think "I could never do that, those guys know what they are doing". Yeah. Right. As Woody said in Toy Story "That's not flying, that's falling with style!".
Once again proving that you should NEVER look at threads like this and think "I could never do that, those guys know what they are doing". Yeah. Right. As Woody said in Toy Story "That's not flying, that's falling with style!".[/QUOTE] I wonder Randy if the people who say that are more in awe of your willingness to TRY and do the work rather then the actual work? The greatest skill as I see it, is the determination to do the work......am i all wet? J
Well, I THINK I'm OK.... the Badger yellow came out fine and I was able to bring the Pollyscale ATSF blue to a pretty sharp line. Man, I love that paint! Should be getting the decals in today. Next steps are to put the brass handrails and details on (including the roof radio plane) more touchups, decal work, overspray, THEN the windows....
Here's a rather poor, but proving, 30-second video of the Solarbotics GM15 gearhead and 200 ohms of series resistance producting a nice controllable blade speed on the just-about-finished model: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ6mvomN31o"]YouTube - N scale rotary snowplow demo ATSF 199361[/ame]
Finished. Added the last decals by delljohnb. His data decals were added to the sides to complete all markings. The unit was weathered with a black wash and some airbrushed grime. The window framing was added using foil cut to size and windshield wipers were added. I have a couple of MV lenses on order and when they arrive I'll pop them in.
The decals are Micro-Scale; the SNOW PLOW is individual alphabets, so is that God-Awful road number.... Well, mine's about done too. I'm not delighted with the side windows and I'll probably take the Krystal-Cleer back out and do acetate, maybe a little weathering on the blade so it shows up better. Maybe a constant headlight. But for now... Thanks for following along... I think this one may be done for both of us. We managed to shame each other into EACH FINISHING a project we had always wanted to do!
Great job guys! This was a neat little contest. We ought to start another one and have a handful of people take part.
