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Post by tom on Jan 17, 2022 4:21:18 GMT -8
I am almost finished with my Scale Trains Penn Central SD45. I started with an undecorated PC SD45 but I still need to add the decals to the numberboards. Assembling the undec kit took quite a while but no problems were encountered and the fit and finish was excellent. ST does not provide an assembly diagram for these low run kits so it was sort of like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Once finished I painted in with ModelFlex black paint and lettered it with Microscale PC decals along with PCRRHS decals for the thin style numbers. I used the PENN CENTRAL lettering from one of their boxcar sets since it just a little wider than one it on their locomotive set. The underbody details are really nice:  The fans are also well done. On my Kato and Atlas units I always replaced the fans with Cannon ones but not on this one:  I started with an undec as I like to scrub the engineered plastic items (handrails, sideframes) with a toothbrush and Bar Keepers Helper cleanser to get a nice surface for good paint adhesion. I also use a black Sharpee on the edges of the window glass to prevent seeing the annoying seeing the clear edge within the windows. The windows are a perfect fit into the window frames.  Here is an overall shot. I weathered the unit using pencils, PanPastels and an airbrush. Still need to add some spilled fuel on the tank.  Finally here is a shot of the well done brake wheel housing. My Atlas SD35 still looks good with the much newer SD45. Slight coupler mismatch due I think because I did not completely screw in the ST couplers.  I hope ST releases an SD40 in the future. |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Jan 17, 2022 5:40:01 GMT -8
You did a nice job with that. You’re not kidding about the jig-saw puzzle experience. I have a undec 40-T2 on my work bench and not as sure when/if I’ll ever finish. It’s sort of a cruel joke on ST’s part to leave they buyer with absolutely zero help. They included an exploded diagram with the Big Blow. Obviously the folks in Benton really don’t want to be in the undec/kit business. Tom’s right, there sure a lot of tiny little bits that you have absolutely no idea what they are. They are extremely well done, just hoping I don’t have any left when I get done.  |
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Post by markfj on Jan 17, 2022 5:54:59 GMT -8
Can anyone share a photo of their undecorated kit parts? I would like to see what I’m getting myself into before I commit to buying one.
The fit and finish on Tom’s model looks great, far better than the SP SD45Rs shown in the video review I posted in the other thread on ST SD45s. I was particularly surprised by how poorly the handrails fit on the finished models. Hope that’s just a rarity and not the norm. The handrails on the model above look fine. I wonder why there are no instructions from ST showing where the parts go.
Thanks, Mark J.
Reading, PA
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Post by tom on Jan 17, 2022 6:16:07 GMT -8
The fit and finish on Tom’s model looks great, far better than the SP SD45Rs shown in the video review I posted in the other thread on ST SD45s. I was particularly surprised by how poorly the handrails fit on the finished models. Hope that’s just a rarity and not the norm. The handrails on the model above look fine. I wonder why there are no instructions from ST showing where the parts go. From the ST product information: "Step-by-step assembly instructions are NOT included" I think that based on the small number of undec kits produced it was not viable to develop a step-by step set of instructions. The handrails do fit fine and they came on sprues so I was able to fit each stanchion in place. They do have a curve to them but the are all square in relationship to each other. I probably spent more time on them that the factory workers did.... I will try to bend them some to get the slight curve out of them. This curve is not any worse on the ST model then my Walthers GP9s and some Atlas units. Basically all of the parts come in as separate pieces. the hood, cabs and underframe all fit will. Each step has to be individually attached. First stairwell took a while but once I figured out how to do it the other three went Ok. Fans were relatively easy. Basically just set the grills in place and and a small amount of ACC to a couple of spots and let it flow into place. Sideframes need to have parts applied....I disassembled my model to be able to remove the sideframes, paint the wheel sides, add the brake cylinders and hoses, paint and weather them and then put everything together. It took a while to figure out how to removes the sideframes....sort of like Atlas or Kato. I found I had to remove the wires from the mother board to be able to take the frame apart. Before I did that I noted where the wires went (I should have taken a photo). Some wires did come off that I was not planned to but was able to solder them back on. I have taken lots of my other locomotives apart but this was a little more challenging. The underframe detailing took a while to figure out but like a puzzle the pieces could only fit one way (eventually). Metal grabirons need to be added. Everything fit well. Cab sides neet to be fitted. They fit perfectly but side cab windows need to fit into place prior to adding the cab sides. I painted and weathered my locomotive before gluing it in place. Until then I keep the side on by a small piece of double sided tape until final assembly. Cab can be removed and replaced relatively easy. If anyone wants to try it please post questions since I was able to do it without losing any parts or have any leftovers except four parts somehow related to the jacking pads....no ideal how the fit. See Brian Bannas Youtube episode. Shows all the parts and lots of good info. |
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Post by TBird1958 on Jan 17, 2022 7:20:12 GMT -8
Very nice model and pics!
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wsor
Full Member
The Route of the Ruptured Duck
Posts: 138
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Post by wsor on Jan 17, 2022 9:58:21 GMT -8
Or they could be low...  On all 5 of my ST SD40-2s the couplers are low, and I needed to use Kadee 147 offset couplers to match the Kadee gauge. Atlas is usually spot on for coupler height. |
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Post by tillamook on Jan 17, 2022 10:58:36 GMT -8
Can anyone share a photo of their undecorated kit parts? I would like to see what I’m getting myself into before I commit to buying one. The fit and finish on Tom’s model looks great, far better than the SP SD45Rs shown in the video review I posted in the other thread on ST SD45s. I was particularly surprised by how poorly the handrails fit on the finished models. Hope that’s just a rarity and not the norm. The handrails on the model above look fine. I wonder why there are no instructions from ST showing where the parts go. Thanks, Mark J. Reading, PA |
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Post by tom on Jan 17, 2022 11:22:55 GMT -8
Or they could be low... On all 5 of my ST SD40-2s the couplers are low, and I needed to use Kadee 147 offset couplers to match the Kadee gauge. Atlas is usually spot on for coupler height. You were right. Scale Train SD45 had the too low coupler. Probably because I replaced those odd Scale Train couplers with a lot better looking #153 couplers. I added a .015 x .040" shim to the front of coupler box and is now almost spot on to the correct height based on a Kadee gauge. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Jan 17, 2022 11:43:01 GMT -8
60 years ago when you got a kit where you had to cut half the parts yourself you at least got some text directions to guide you. Surely there must be some direction for the factory workers to build it. I don't think one or two sheets of paper translating that to English would kill them.
Or for that matter a link to a PDF online
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Post by idgara on Jan 17, 2022 11:59:34 GMT -8
Tom, your model looks fantastic, nice weathering, what year you model?
A side note , is your front sander line off the truck?
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Post by nsc39d8 on Jan 17, 2022 12:11:43 GMT -8
I will say that Brian's video and Tillamook's photo's do show all the parts for the undecorated units.
I bought an undecorated SD40-2 and Bob Harpe told me "Good Luck, let me know how it goes!".
I wondered why he said that cause he would not tell me. When I opened the box I found out with no instructions and over 100 parts without a built unit as a guide it is a challenge.
They need to change from Undecorated to Unassembled. Nice thing is you can add those Cannon parts you want if the boxed parts don't meet your needs.
I will be hard pressed to purchase another undecorated from them, matter of fact I sold the SD40-2 at a profit.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Jan 17, 2022 18:52:58 GMT -8
I will be hard pressed to purchase another undecorated from them, Unless it’s a GP30 Have one of them, might do the same…could pay for that -30 |
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Post by tillamook on Jan 18, 2022 10:14:24 GMT -8
I think it all depends on how desperate you are for a certain locomotive. Having to strip a SXT SD45R to repaint it might be even more of a hassle than trying to assemble the undecorated.
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