Hey all, I just finished installing my scratchbuilt nose gong bell into a USA Trains GP38-2. My beloved DT&I used these style bells, as did the C&NW. Enjoy! Brian Briggs
That looks really good. I assume you cast it.
Looks good!
Thanks Guys,
Warren: No, I didn’t cast it…When I do the next one I’ll probably cast it then.
Brian Briggs
How about telling us how you shaped the bell…please!
How about telling us how you shaped the bell…please!<<<
Ok, Warren, at the risk of looking psychotic, I will.
First I built up the styrene rod by slipping/gluing tubes inside each other till it was solid. Nobody I know of makes solid styrene rod in 7/16 dia.
Then I chucked it up in my drill press (I call it my vertical lathe) and used a file to shape the bell.
For the hood over the bell I heated a piece of .015 styrene sheet and quickly pulled it over the bell. It’s a lot like vacuum forming, just without the vacuum. Then I drew the approximate shape and cut and filed accordingly till it looked right.
I hope this helps,
Brian Briggs
You’re not psychotic…you are an LS’er…
But it sure looks good.