(HO SCALE): See picture below. Has anyone ever seen this? This is an RS1 shade cowling on a C&O RS-1. I want to model this on my RS-1's. I have searched various detailers and see nothing. As if this isn't unusual enough, not the 3-chime horn system cut into the top of the cowling. I'm thinking I should just replace the single horn that came on the engine with a 3 chime and call it a day. (Pick and choose your battles), but I would really like to have this look, unique to the C&O. Fortunately, the C&O only ever had 2 RS-1's (both fitted the same way) so this is not a standard I have to apply to many engines. Thoughts or suggestions how to replicate this detail??? Since I don't have a 3-D printer, I've ruled that out, but I do have access to one at work. But I've never worked w/ the drawing software.
That's hardly unique to the C&O. In fact, it's a holdover from steam locomotive days. There came a time when every steamer the Santa Fe had was so equipped. So you might search for steamer details and see if that bears fruit. Then there's the old school way of modeling canvas, such as canvas tarps: A piece of Kleenex and spray paint.
^Thanks. After some more tinkering at the work bench, I have an Atlas RS-1 cab in my scrap box. Since these Atlas cabs I am adding this to, I could possibly trace the curvature of the RS-1 roof on to paper and then cut thin plastic stock to match. The long hood side would have to be modified to allow the horn to stick through. The back (short hood side) would just be the curved awning by itself. I'll play around w/ the tissue paper. I've also thought about using some the Mrs' parchment paper she has in the kitchen for baking. Similar texture, but a little less delicate. Hadn't thought about applying a steam cab window awning (if I can find one to match). That's a good idea. I'll take a look.
I was going to say it looks like a canvas awning... a lot of first generation diesels were fitted with these, hang over from steam days as suggested previously. Athearn recently just used a piece of etched metal, folded and painted a canvas colour for GP9s. not the best representation in my opinion. Interestingly UP was still using canvas sunshades on GP20s in the late 60s... I had been pondering the same question of how to model these for a pair of GP20s crossing the work bench and .3 brass wire and tissue paper was going to be my solution. Can't really make out from that picture the horn arrangements but I second your sentiments about picking battles... My dad has a C&O RS1 so I'd be interested to see your results and how you go about it as I'll have it to do myself at some point.
