AM-Critter....Kid-zilla goes freelance

[Eric_Mueller]

Update:

Progress in fits and starts…He is starting to see the end of the project, and he is learning that it only comes if you budget time to putter away at it. Estimating the time of each sub-step is a lifelong learning process, I imagine!

Over the course of last week he filled and sanded the seam between the new after bulkhead and the original locomotive shell. Along the way, he filed down that plastic bit to fit the curve of the roof.

A good bit of the this weekend’s intermittent puttering involved mounting and testing…and retesting…and reretesting…the smoke generator. There were some plastic fittings that were for some long-lost function that served as mounts for the generator following some quick X-acto work by yours truly. These are just above and below the red dot that marks the location of the exhaust port.

The tests were because, well, making smoke is fun! We discussed the rest of the wiring, but there were other things to do this weekend.

I don’t think Kid-zilla sees how close to having AM-critter on the track he is, but I have to keep remining myself, “His project, his pace!”

Updates as progress merits.

On Behalf of Kid-zilla,
Eric

[Rooster]

OK,

First off excellent work!

I’m actually impressed with the file work (we call a rattail file) and thinking if that boy had some of the simple and (sometimes expensive) hand tools Mr. Rooster has in his coop he would be dangerous (in a good way).
However I also semi remember what I had tool selection wise when I was his age. So in that department he is MILES ahead of me.

Now lets go back to the “smoke generator”. Honestly it is an ALCO so you can mount it to the floor then pull out the metal screening ( little metal bend tabs inside the model) and let her smoke away. Possibly refill the smoke fluid through the back side doors or keep the roof removable.

I would also recommend “focusing” on this much of the locomotive as that is about what you have to work with. Also note that Amtrak and Santa Fe were heavily connected and nothing wrong with Platinum Mist (aka… Silver)

Nice work young man ! Remember you do you and I will try and be JAO.

“Just An Observer”

Oh, and 8 is afraid of 7 cause 7,8,9.

We gotta get the boy bending brass soon as he is ready!!

[Eric_Mueller]

@Rooster

Oh, and 8 is afraid of 7 cause 7,8,9.

He gets it! And, “Thank you!”

[JohnM (John Miller)]

Eric, do you still want the bachmann circus stuff?

[Eric_Mueller]

John, thanks. Private message sent.

Eric

[Eric_Mueller]

Update:

Thanksgiving weekend marks the Triple O’s “end of season.” All projects on the lanai need to be brought to a point that they can remain safely on the lanai despite Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas festivities. Each 1:1 modeler is allowed one project that reaches the finishing stages to remain on the lanai. Did AM-critter make the cut? Follow along!

First, in preparation for a diaphragm, Kid-zilla cut a platform and small roof over the after door, basing his work on @Rooster’s recent baggage car project ( Building and Bashing Amtrak Equipment).

He puttered with the lights and wiring, did some final sanding, and it was off to the Palm of Spray Painting.

He was impressed…no runs and no lost details!

And that brings us to the following:

I guess we should have primed this first to better obscure the old markings, but we both like the hidden sings of provenance!

He was shocked how a bit of paint can change what looks like a wreck into a model (something I’ve remarked upon before with my own projects)! He had to do a bit more filing and filling, which nothing like a good coat of paint reveals, but he got AM-Critter over the line. Let’s see what he can do between now and Christmas day!

Updates as progress merits.

On Behalf of Kid-zilla,

Eric

[JRad (Jon Radder)]

@Eric_Mueller

primed this first to better obscure the old markings

Primer would probably not helped that much. Possibly chemical removal with 91% alcohol or sanding might have done it. But I’m with you both. Ghost lettering is quite prototypical when equipment changes ownership.

This is really looking good! Great job KZ!!

[PeterT]

@JRad

This is really looking good! Great job KZ!!

I agree. Absolutely fantastic.

[Cliff_Jennings]

Such a uniquely cool loco, it’s sure to have a long attention-getting carreer in front of it! Maybe I missed it, but has KZ given it a name?

[smcgill (Sean McGillicuddy)]

I think this or something similar

Name : the animal

[Rooster]

@JRad

Ghost lettering is quite prototypical when equipment changes ownership.

Exactly! …SLAP SOME AMTRAK BADGING ON IT AND CALL IT DONE!

Excellent work young man and don’t think I didn’t notice the radiator fan !
Roosters tend to see many things others miss.

[Rooster]

I believe you could do either Phase III or IV schemes and I personally think the IV might look a bit better however it is YOUR choice as it is YOUR build! On that note you could just leave it like it is!!
Looks pretty fast to me already but I’m just a

http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakpix/paintschemes/paintschemes.html

[Rooster]

Young Mr. Mueller,

I was sitting here looking at the fantastic work so far and it got me thinking that you were pretty darn good with the sharpie markers. So I will offer some thoughts of how a thinks whether it matters or not . Remember … Rule #1…your model your rules.

I circled some areas (in red) that could possibly be “picked” out or “highlighted” easily with a black sharpie if that interests your fancy. Also the red arrows point to the air screen that can easily be removed from the inside by bending the metal tabs up and slide the screen out.

I already picked /released them from the shell so you could probably bend the small tabs flush with your fingers then slide out the screen if you decide. If you choose to go that route Mr. himself would probably paint it black and slide it back in place when dry. Actually it also looks pretty cool without the screens too.

OK, I’m done crowing and only showing what you can do if you want

[Eric_Mueller]

We reviewed the post. Thanks for the tips! Kid-zilla will think this as he does the last wiring hookups!

On Behalf of Kid-zilla,

Eric

[Pete_Lassen]

Is he going to cut down and install a very very small fuel tank between the trucks??

[Rooster]

Nope, he doesn’t have to because I already did. He just decided to remove it because it is a
“freelance” and his build…his rules!

[Eric_Mueller]

@Pete_Lassen

Is he going to cut down and install a very very small fuel tank between the trucks??

@Rooster is correct. Once Kid-zilla has it all wired up, I will help him install the fuel tanks.

Also, while I neglected to take photos, the “Sharpie work” is underway. In addition, because yours truly CA glued in the screen, Kid-zilla decided to use a wash to darken the background. It looks good!

We will look for time this weekend to get AM-critter running and to put on “his” AMTRAK stripes. The approach of Christmas has the whole family jumping, so we may hold off until Christmas break.

Updates as Progress Merits!

On Behalf of Kid-zilla,

Eric

[Rooster]

@Eric_Mueller

Also, while I neglected to take photos, the “Sharpie work” is underway. In addition, because yours truly CA glued in the screen, Kid-zilla decided to use a wash to darken the background. It looks good!

Eric

PHOTOS are what you should be doing, not meddling in the boys work!! Oh and go CA something of your own!

What smaller sized drill bits do you boys own, say like 1/16" and below ?

[Rooster]

@Eric_Mueller

because yours truly CA glued in the screen

[Eric_Mueller]

Update:

Christmas preparations and crummy weather (rain…lots of it!) have brought work on our projects to a near standstill. We thought this was the weekend to install the wiring…

…button things up, and put her in trim. Nope. First, there was a broken wire connection. KID-zilla learned the importance of noting which wire goes where before cutting and resoldering things!

He likes soldering…Also, I wanted to record how he used some of the existing bits of the ALCO shell to mount the smoke generator under the roof.

Double sided tape works well to hold the circuit board in place.

With everything good to go, it was time to put power to the circuit.

Nope. Only one light came on. We verified each LED worked, but there is some mystery in how the 'trons go from the main circuit board to the little light board. We tried looking for schematics (@Pete_Lassen , were these USA Trains boards), but no joy. Pictures are below:

We can probably follow instructions on how to wire this all together; apparently, the labeling on the circuit board is not as self-evident as we had hoped! I also suggested we look for a small batter powered lantern we can install in the cab and activate as needed. It’s a poor work around, but I sense his ambition is leading to frustration. I am trying to get him to move on to the diaphragm, fuel tanks, and striping so that he can score another intermediate victory as we fiddle with the lights.

Updates as progress merits!

Eric