Building an Atlas SW9 from Parts

[R.K. Maroon]

I hope everybody is having themselves a merry little Christmas.

I gave myself an early present yesterday. I have been building an Atlas SW9 from parts. This is not for me, but goes instead to my brother, who is going to paint it in Missouri Central colors for a mutual friend. Here is the prototype, courtesy of the Hawkins Rail website:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mgcic5fl7sh8vfr3liusw/MSC-202-Hawkins-Rails.jpg?rlkey=q6ykz777u9pyieyy9xx0pkfyg

Note the MU step at the end and the triple-chime horn. Here is the model as shipped:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j8wtrgw1wtnhl65jhwds4/SW9-as-shipped.jpg?rlkey=hg1bhin6q9f35v5bfx4lb3yxx


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0dr8te4307j2ulumytod0/End-Platforms-and-Cab-Interior.jpg?rlkey=l34qpexotrjuz0grncw7yunbz

I packed the end platforms and interior cab assembly without assembling them to the model, as they have to be painted separately. All items on the model are stock, except for the crew seats (PSC). horn assembly, and MU steps. The three-chime horn is an after-market detail part that comes in a four-piece kit. I formed the bracket from brass channel:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m08b8zcqyesg234f6z0w7/Horn-Assembly.jpg?rlkey=kbp32d23be88p6rj3ujp50sqd

The upper part of the MU step is also an after-market part. The riser, which I believe is only found on locomotives with foot platforms, was milled from brass bar stock:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5slwn0zzjyt1e5aedycyo/MU-steps.jpg?rlkey=sm5tbphvn2voglv3np0wzc2lp

Fortunately, I had a factory hand-rail assembly for the step configuration. It is not exactly like the prototype but close enough:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yql1z5cyph36ax2lafnx6/End-Platform-with-Handrail-and-Step.jpg?rlkey=gla3qm70mziigkyrnq1r0b2hk

This project was made possible by a "project pile" of Atlas SWs (in pieces) that I purchased on eBay a few years back. I bought it primarily for the assortment of NOS replacement parts, such handrails, bells, and end platforms (to convert three-rail versions to two-rail). One thing a learned is that these locomotives were designed for one-time assembly -- they are not easy to disassemble for repainting. In particular, the cab glazing appears to be bonded in, which makes removal "challenging". One other odd feature: the side window pieces interlock with the cab interior assembly, which makes assembly of these items into the cab a bit of a challenge:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ertej5jmjw4w5g65g3z3x/Cab-Windows.jpg?rlkey=ex6ynbt6orvia0tj1fxauxd3i

Fortunately, my parts collection included a new cab and new glazing set. Other parts included but not shown include the headlight sconces, crew, bell, and handrails. One last thing: It is well known that paint likes to flake off the nylon-like plastic of the Atlas handrails. Tamiya Surface Primer was recommended to me for these. It does not bond as well as I might of liked, but perhaps things will improve when an overcoat is applied.

I finished my part of this project up yesterday and got it packed and shipped before the post office closed. Having it off my workbench is the aforementioned early Christmas present to myself. I can now turn my attention to my own projects. There are many, as always.

Happy Holidays
Jim

[up148]

Nice job Jim. The Atlas SW is a smooth runner right out of the box, so I always wanted to upgrade one with more scale details.....I didn't realize they were put together in a fashion that made them difficult to custom paint.

I agree on trying to paint the slick plastic handrails that have been used for years........no one seems to offer a paint that really sticks to them. Even the builders of the latest and greatest HO models have the handrails extruded in colors close to the paint schemes they offer. You'd think someone would crack the code for paint that would stick and stand up to the flexibility of these products.

I still have one factory painted UP version and have owned and sold several over the years. I installed a set of the Chooch window inserts on one and was very impressed with the difference they made, especially when following Chooch's advice to blacken the edge of the plexiglass inserts and the window openings (magic marker), as well as blackening the simulated rubber seals around the window openings on the model. The Chooch windows are about an 1/8" thick, but by following these instructions the come out looking like slide glass was used. But, since Chooch closed down I don't know where to buy these any more.

I also bought some of the KV metal upgrade kits which look fantastic, but I haven't installed them yet. There were some posts on OGR where Rick Bacon totally upgraded one of these SW9's and I believe Bob (Rio Grande) has done the same. Here is the link to the KV website and these parts are still avialable.

https://kvmodels.com/emd-sw891200-atlas-o-o-scale/

[sarge]

Look outside the narrow confines of model railroad product and have a look at what the RC car guys are putting on those nylon-esque body shells of theirs.

I use their paint for Atlas SW and chain-drive Weaver handrails. It holds well, is flexible enough, and if you don't like the colours you can use it as a primer, then spray with the likes of Trucolor over top.

Another lesson in not being blinkered by only knowing about model railroad product. There is a big wonderful world out there, in this case just there over on the other side of the hobby shop! GRIN!

[sarge]

Here are a couple bottles from my stash as examples:



This stuff is intended for flexible polycarbonate R/C car bodies so the paint adheres pretty well, but is flexible. It takes a while to get through a bottle of this stuff so mine is older Pactra I sourced years ago. It looks to be marketed now by Testors. I'd bet there are even better ranges out there, now.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Pactra actually was one of the brands that disappeared when Floquil/Polly Scale was terminated. It was revived and is part of Testors which is part of Rustoleum which is part of RPM International Inc. Seems a good number of hobby/modeling brand paints have ended up under that large umbrella.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I have been building an Atlas SW9 from parts.

Nice to see someone building!

Have to wonder just what that plastic is that they used for those parts...

[Pacific Limited]

Absolutely!