Does anyone have any pics of a hi-nose sd40-2 in ns paint. another thing that will help is pics of finished models. Where could i get a high nose kit for a SD40-2?? i looked and i could not find one [ 27. December 2002, 21:05: Message edited by: Jake ]
This page has a few pics of NS SD40-2s - http://nspics.railfan.net/rostr_ns/sd40-2/index.htm As for hi-hood kits, Cannon & Co. makes one. The kit number is 1101, and like everything else Cannon makes, it's a very nice, highly-detailed kit. Here's a link to the Walthers webpage that shows it: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/191-1101
Here is a photo of my NS SD40-2 model (which is for sale, incidentally): This is a modified HO scale Athearn (old production) SD40-2 wearing factory NS paint. I simply added a Cannon high hood, Details West horn, Overland bell, and Details West firecracker antenna and painted the new parts black to match the rest of the model. I also renumbered the locomotive to N&W 1633, since I had a photo of that locomotive and had detailed the model to match it. Barely in the frame are my caboose also seen in my RailImages album and my scratchbuilt Southern radio car. I hope this is helpful. RCHarris [ 30. December 2002, 03:31: Message edited by: ProtoModel Discount Trains ]
Thanks alot for your time! I was wondering how hard or easy was it installing the hood? What were your steps? O and how much is the model 4 sale? Again Thank you for your time! [ 30. December 2002, 05:46: Message edited by: Jake ]
The first thing to do is remove the cab from the shell. I used an Xacto razor saw to cut off the headlight casting and a flat file to trim it up. Finally, sandpaper was used to get the front of the cab and the former headlight assembly flush. Just be careful to avoid damaging the detail on the face of the cab. Next, you need to remove the nose. Place Scotch tape along the walkways surrounding the nose so that the sawing action doesn't scratch the surrounding walkway. Then using the razor saw, slice the nose completely off avoiding the battery box/cab subbase. Use a flat file and sandpaper to true up the cuts and replace the tape as it gets worn. Finally, remove the tape and remove any burrs from sawing and filing. Next, assemble the Cannon & Co. kit per the instructions. It's a very easy but precisely engineered kit, so take care to fit everything properly. Paint the finished nose black and set aside. To renumber the cab, you can strip it and repaint it, or use an eraser from a number 2 pencil to rub it off. Add the number you wish to use (I chose 1633 since the Athearn model had the "F" at the short end of the locomotive which matches the N&W locomotives in the 1600 series). Attach the cab to the body with tape since it can't snap into the body shell anymore and position the nose assembly. Then tape the nose in place, taking care to position it properly. Then flow MEK (any liquid plastic cement will do) along the seams and let it dry. Remove the tape and add the nose herald, numbers, and owner sublettering. Just add the other details when everything dries and paint them black to match and you're ready to clear coat. Of the details I used, the one I have changed on my current N&W, Southern and NS models is the bell. The Overland models brass casting is beautiful, but it seems a little too large. Now I use Details West Part Number BE-135. It's not as nice a casting, but it looks more to scale. The other thing I would change is the airhorn, but I never have figured out which airhorn matches N&W SD40-2s. Hopefully, I can find out before too long since I have another N&W SD40-2 to detail (Santa left it for me!). Oh, and the asking price is $65.00. If you're interested, feel free to contact me at: norfolksouthernhinose@yahoo.com. Hope this is helpful, RC
That's incorrect. The 11 N&W high hood SD40-2 locomotives, Nos. 1625-1635, were equipped with dual control stands and had the long hood end designated as the front. Only the last N&W low hood SD40-2 order for units 6189-6207 were equipped with single control setup and had the short hood designated as the front. Chris Toth
Darn it, Chris! That's what I get for assuming that bell on the short hood meant front of locomotive. When in doubt, look for the "F." Well, I found it in the photo, and it's on the long hood end of 1633... Jake, I use Scalecoat paints and they typically dry semi gloss or gloss. Their black paint seems to come out flat (just looking at my Southern GP49 which is awaiting decals) but with a sheen to it. I like flat paints since you can paint them in thinner coats than gloss paints, but you'll need a glossy surface to decal. So, it's up to you what paint you use, but if it's flat, simply apply a coat of gloss for decaling. In the case of this locomotive, I sprayed the entire locomotive with a semi gloss after finishing and before weathering since I wanted the paint to look reasonably new even though the locomotive had some running time on it. By the way, Jake, Chris is the real source of definitive info on your NS questions! Just today I hit him up on the part number of the horn I mentioned earlier in the thread and he came through like a champ! Thanks again, Chris! RC Harris
