SP AC-9 Build

I have posted some of these jpegs prior to this but I will post again as the beginning of my AC-9 build. Up front, as will soon be obvious, I have never attempted anything like this in my 65 years of having trains. All HO until 1992, when my better half gave me a Bachmann F-7 set to fiddle with, while recovery from by-pass surgery. She had no idea what she had rekindled in my blood. Trains man!

AC-9's have become rather difficult to find since Key made one back in appox. 1994-1996. Not sure when but rare today. So, I am going to convert me B'mann EM-1 into the AC-9. Not my castings, but rather a very talented man known as "Superturbine'. Thanks Jason, I am going to have many questions for you.

The first pics were posted before but here are two of the castings as received on 01/08.................................





Now here are some I made today. You can see that on the pilot I have started attaching etched brass item (the pilot ladder)..............

 

I was about to run out of space so I split the pictures. Here are some more from today................








So the question is why have I painted it. There are some cast on items that will be removed and replaced with etched brass parts, such as handrail stanchions, and now when I cut off the cast on item it leaves a white dot. That is where I need to drill holes for the etched item. I will be adding cooling pipes and some extra brass pipes to compliment the fine casting. You can see what I am talking about in the last photo with the four stanchion locations in front of cab. I told you I am different. Also, my 74 year old eyes, thumbs, and fingers need all the help they can get.

I will be updating as I progress, which will not be rapidly, unless I get antsie about seeing this thing operate. As info, I am going to strip out the B'mann decoder and other items from the tender and install an ESU Loksound Select Micro (cabforward sound) decoder and a Knowles Dumbo speaker.

The fun ( ? ) has begun.

Carl

 

Thanks Russell. Aint she a beaut.

Carl

 

Looking good and that's a beautiful coat of paint!

I've been resisting the steam bug, but it would be easy one to catch for sure!

 

It has been a while since I started this thread with no updates. Not much has been done because I found I did not have small enough wire drills or wire, so I ordered both and they just came in today. I got an assortment of drills ranging from #80 to #85. These puppies are tiny.

Russell - I shall number it 3809, as you suggested, and because I just got a DVD that shows 3809 pulling a passenger train on the Modoc line. Coooollll

I have done a little, while waiting for tools. I have done surgery on the pilot so that I can mount a pilot from a KATO GS-4 and a MT #905 coupler. I have the black pilot but the pictures will show a daylight orange one that I used to get the fit right.





Let the real fun begin as I will now work on the handrails for pilot, then shave the B'mann mechanism a bit, then on to the boiler, and then paint and decals then some weathering. Will I finish by 10/2014? ? I better for Fair show. I can't wait to double head this with my AC-12 with a 60-70 car reefer block. What the heck, the EM-1 will pull that alone.

Carl

 

Very nice Jerry.

I have spent a great deal of time with handrails for the pilot. Here is where I am at today. I need to do some "cleanup" on solder joints. I am not real happy with them as I think they look too funky as in too large diameter. I may end up trying smaller wire. But for now, I know it will work. If my 73 year old fingers and eyes will hold up.



Carl

 

I said I was not happy with the first handrail effort and I knew I would change them. The first ones were made out of .020 brass wire. The second effort is much better made with .010 phosphor bronze wire. Looks much closer to scale. I have some clean up work to do on the solder points as well as add some cross bracing.




Next up will be the stanchions and handrails as well as throttle rod on boiler. After that, I plan on some extra pipes under the running boards.

Carl

 

As a quick update, following are some pics of the pilot with some bracing added and also the side of the boiler with handrail, throttle rod, beginning of piping below running board. The hangers are very small, has been a real challenge but I love it. Moving slow but no need to rush. I did the pilot handrails three times to be satisfied. I think with paint and weathering #3809 is going to look good.









Carl

 

Thanks Russell for the comment and for fixing my goof. I think you are right, I failed to uncheck the default box.

Carl

 

Better pictures ...........................

 

Looking good Carl!!

 

I have two words for this.... "Systematic Progress"! Keep it coming... we're behind you.

 

Now I see why you need the eye loop !!!!!!!

LOL
See you tomorrow AM Carl.
Mike

 

Wow Jason sure knows how to make dreams come true! Looking great so far!

 

Another update of my AC-9 project with pics of engineer side of boiler and the pilot with all handrails and braces attached. I know, the globs of CA show but I shall work on reducing the smeared on look. I need to add the 905 coupler and headlight and it will be complete except for paint. Then on to the fireman's side. I need to make and attach, under the cab, a Hancock Turbo Feedwater Heater. Of course more piping. I have not even thought about the tender as yet. It should be fairly straight forward.









Mike, I like your suggestion that this is Systematic Progress. I shall remember that.

PS- god thing about pictures is they show the goofs. I fixed the handrail that should have been on outside of pilot steps.

Carl

 

Coming along nicely Carl .
Mike

 

Hi, Is this shell and tender available for purchase? If so, can you please provide the information.