C-WW Right after I assembled my first Athearn Husky Stack (a BN model) the only thing I could think of was "Man those grab irons look horrible - I've got to do something about that." So for a rather long time I did nothing... Then I found the Intermodal Modeler's Guide Vol 1 (and later Vol 2) and in this book Doug Grieger (MMR) describes how he super details Athearn Husky Stacks. Well I didn't want to go as far as he did with see through platforms, brass container guides and all, I just wanted to make the grab irons look better. Now of course I did realize that once I replaced the grabs I was going to have to replace the stirrups because they are right next to each other. Also I had a factory painted kit and had no intention of repainting it - I would match the paint with a brush and hide my changes in weathering. I figured if it worked out, I could apply my techniques to other Husky Stacks and Maxi Stacks and Thrall cars etc and build myself a respectable IM train. I used my already assembled BN model as a guinea pig and it worked out so I got me one of them TTX Husky Stacks and got to work: The hardest part was drilling holes for the grab irons. I made a jig out of styrene that holds the two stanchions in place so I could drill them without bending them. The stirrups are bent from brass strips. I also added a coupler lift bar (now standard equipment on all my rolling stock) and some rather basic, yet effective brake detail. Note the brake rod that runs the length of the well car (on top of the well.) I also noticed in the IM Guides that there are two very different styles of B end platforms. The Athearn model has the old style with steps on both sides of the car, I decided to model the new style. I hacked up the steps and platforms on both ends - on the B end I eliminated the step on the one side and modified the brake gear as per the prototype. On the A end I simply added the cross support that was not existing on the stock model. I also removed some of the body that was blocking the view of the trucks under the platforms. Model Flex TT Yellow is close - close enough that once weathered (washes of black and an overspray of earth) you can hardly tell what parts are original paint and what parts I added. Well I was pretty happy with the result and entered this model into the NMRA Australasian Region Category K contest and I took first place! [ March 29, 2006, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: watash ]
Yank, Nice work man keep up the good work looing good. To bad that isn't the 5 car unit..... It would look like the real thing only smaller... Ertl! Nice job man....
Yank, Can't wait to see it! I bet its overwelming! But good work man ! I'm in the process of figuring out how to post pictures on the board of my Western Maryland M2 Challenger at the moment! See if that grabs some attension! [ 16 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
