After servicing the trucks I decided to do a little detailing to have them ready for paint.
Air line was added.
And I heeded Craig’s advice on modifying the cylinders.
The front truck needed a speedometer on it.
The cable will be added in the future.
Hollywood…it’s lookin good!
Are you gonna build the slug too?
Ralph
I believe he is …I just wish he would quit screwing around and show the …ahhhh never mind.
Looks great Hollywood!
The brake cylinders look much better when they have some depth! Glad to see my analness about things is taking root in someone else. 
I’d suggest that you file of the NBW on the sideframe were the speedo goes. The speedo bolts on to the end of the bearing, so you wouldn’t have a gap like you do. Next I’d be suggesting to you guys to grind flat spots on the wheels… 
Craig Townsend said:
The brake cylinders look much better when they have some depth! Glad to see my analness about things is taking root in someone else.
Craig said analness!
Craig Townsend said:
The brake cylinders look much better when they have some depth! Glad to see my analness about things is taking root in someone else.
I’d suggest that you file of the NBW on the sideframe were the speedo goes. The speedo bolts on to the end of the bearing, so you wouldn’t have a gap like you do. Next I’d be suggesting to you guys to grind flat spots on the wheels…
It looks like a gap to me on this one Craig.
Yes Ralph, if I get this done.
Huh. Proves me wrong. Never have seen a speedo that looks like that before.
Just remember you weren’t around in the 40’s
And thanks for the watchful eye anyway, I would rather redo now than after it’s finished
I can’t imagine that EMD changed the speedo design too much over the years… But that bearing in your picture is a more “modern” bearing than what EMD originally came out with on the F units. The bearings on the F units (and some GP trade ins) were the sloped or square journal type, not like the one you show. I’m wondering what the BL2 had originally? At some point in time the bearings were upgraded/replaced. I’ve found a couple pictures of GP30’s with the square and sloped bearings/journals into the late 70’s. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it I guess?
An early days photo.
And a not sure if new or reconditioned photo
Original pics of the one I am building do not show the speedometer clearly but are on fallen flags website under WM81
Notice how the two loco’s both have different journal types? IN both pictures the loco’s have the modern “roller bearing” journals, the top one has the square journal on axle 4, and in the bottom photo the loco has the sloped journal on axle 1. Perplexing on EMD’s journal designs/choices.
Craig…there is a LOT to notice between them locos not just the journals …wait we were discussing speedo’s right? NO not dad in one either !
David Russell said:
Craig…there is a LOT to notice between them locos not just the journals …wait we were discussing speedo’s right? NO not dad in one either !
I was just glancing at the trucks, and not much else. But both photo’s prove the point that if you want to accurately model a specific locomotive you have to find a picture of both sides on the same date otherwise it’s just a guessing game. For my GP30 project I have a bunch of photo’s of the same loco on different dates and it’s amazing how many changes the locomotive undergoes in a few short months.
Craig is one of those who wants to be able to say, “My model is accurate for 1347:36 Pacific Standard Time on July 12, 1957. After that, deponent sayeth not.” (http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/yahoo.gif)(http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/gerg.gif)(http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/wink1.gif)
Steve Featherkile said:
Craig is one of those who wants to be able to say, “My model is accurate for 1347:36 Pacific Standard Time on July 12, 1957. After that, deponent sayeth not.” (http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/yahoo.gif)(http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/gerg.gif)(http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/wink1.gif)
I’ve been found out… I’ll go to the back of the bar now. 
Actually since I model outside, year round theoretically I couldn’t model a specific day or season… But then if I modeled 1971 I would need to gather the weather reports for every day and compare them to the current weather. When the weather didn’t match I’d have to cancel all modeling plans…
Grabbed a few hours during our recent torrential rains to move the build along.
I did more shaping of the rear contours.
And mated the two halves of the body.
Once the body was together i re-cut the rear window panels to a better shaping.
And got those placed so I can shape the roof.
Though a bit slower than i hoped for the build is still moving along, even with a few pieces I’ve had to re-cut.
Dave,
It’s really starting to look really good! Keep up your fine work.
What Joe said.
I love working in wood and am starting to get the hang of styrene and other plastics. I tend to work in basic geometric shapes. I love how you are able to sand and carve to get the intricate lines of this loco and how you have shown that multiple mediums can come together beautifully. Once it’s painted you’ll never guess which parts are made of what.
Did a few mods to the fuel tank
A bit of bottom detail.
note the sides were recessed at the top
end support members were added
bits of frame were added to the base
and in place checking clearance
With the body in place to make sure of fit and look
I was not totally satisfied with the tank. It seemed to sit just a tad low and may have given issues with appliances in the track, so I cut 4" scale off the top and checked it again.I think it looks better
Battery boxes were next on underside detail list
All the pieces cut
To make them fit right I had to grind out the ends of the main pieces.
And I started putting them in place
Till next time.
Nice progress, Hollywood… Engine is looking great…
