I'm in the middle of detailing my SD70ACe's I purchased the TrainWorx kit #901 kit these were great, I got them installed fine and they look great. However I'm looking for the other details parts but have no idea which ones to buy.. TrainWorx looks like they've got a lot of the same stuff as BLMA any experience between the two? one better than the other? -BLMA Stuff- Grab Irons ( .007, .009, 18", 15"???) Cut Bars (I guess just the later model EMD's will work?) MU Hoses (are these worth buying, looks like the Kato plastic ones would look fine painted up) Any other detail parts that apply to the SD70ACe that are worth doing? Thanks for any info.
You'll want to use 18" grabs. The verical ones on the rear, on top by the dynamic fan and above the front windows have to be custom formed. What size wire you use is up to you, I used .006" but .008" will fill the #80 hole just a little more. I just left the Kato MU hoses on and added a old Sunrise MU cable, otherwise everything you need is in that Trainworx kit. In the instructions for the kit it mentions cutting the frame to make the rear "see through", I did it to mine...just take your time if you decide to do that part.
The BLMA MU's are seperated, while the Kato molded ones are one piece. It'd be up to you. I've left the Kato ones on, and just painted the tips.
I love detail, but I try to leave everything stock as it is worth more if it were to be resold someday, at least I believe so. fatalxsunrider43
I Prefer the BLMA MU's over Trainworx because the BLMA has a mouthing pin that goes through the pilot where the Trainworx does not. This makes the BLMA more stable. Also the Trainwork MU's were so this you could hardly see them after they were mounted. Kevin
Thanks. I cut the shell but not the frame, I just painted the frame black behind where the vent is cutout, looks pretty good to me. I'll post some pics tonight when I get home. Where should I get wire to make custome grab irons?
Detail Associates has a large variety of brass and stainless wire. You should be able to find it at most of the e-tailers or at your LHS if they have are heavy into trains.
here's a couple pics of the Katy that I just did. Sun Visors Fans Rear Vents Painted steps white Painted hand rails white I've got the fans and vents and hand rails on the WP.
Here is a custom detailed SD70ACe by Henry Baez using all BLMA detail parts: BLMA Parts Added: #13 - EMD Cut Levers #59 - 15" Drop Grab Irons #60 - 18" Drop Grab Irons #69 - Trainline Air Hoses #74 - Angled Cab Sunshades #66 - Modern EMD Fan Kit #90 - Lift Rings #96 - Windshield Wipers #97 - Sill Mounted Safety Lights #100 - MU Hoses #201 - Small Snow Plow (modified per UP SD70ACe style) Also added: - Micro-Trains Z Scale Couplers - Custom paint details (highlights) - White Steps/Handrails - Darkened intake grills
You'd be surprised. A cleanly detailed model can fetch two to three times it's original value when sold. I recently sold two Kato UP C44-9W's, one stock (NIB) and one fully detailed at the same time. The stock sold for $62 and the detailed one went for $178. The SD70ACe Craig posted would easily bring over $250. Brian
Does anyone know of a handrail replacement detail part/kit? Perhaps an etched part? All these details look great, but those handrails might as well be painted florescent pink they stand out so bad. :tb-hissyfit:
I agree Mark. I originally intended to put my locos on my layout and to rarely handle them, then the unspeakable happened, I joined a modular club that was something other than Ntrack. Now my units get handled many times a year and some sturdy metal handrails sure would be nice.
I being one of Brian's customers can easily back up his statements. There is a market for the up scaled models like this one and others, like the dozen or so I got from Brian and several from Charles Hopkins. On this board Hien Nguyen showed how to convert the SD70ACe to the SD70M-2 and I was lucky enough to snag a few of his locomotives. Several of the ones he sold went through the roof. Scott Holwick also kit bashes Kato C44-9W into the correct C40-9 cab with the correct light locations. His stuff always sold for over $300 on that auction site. There is definitely a market for the super detailed locomotives. My Won list is tragically shorter than my Lost list on these. There are many super talented detailers who make very nice cars and locomotives and get a good price in return.
