Laser cut windows for Atlas SW8/9/1200

[rnb3]

Here is my next step in my quest to address the overly thick cab walls. EMD cabs have sliding windows on the sides of the cab. These are two separate panes of glazing that slide behind the cab wall to the left and right. These panes are trimmed with aluminum channel. When fully opened, the windows are hidden with only the aluminum trim visible from the outside. I surmise that replicating this bit of visible trim might hide the overly thick wall profile. It is also common to find an arm rest or cushion along the bottom edge of the window opening. This too can hide the thick cab wall.

I used some pieces of 0.020 x 0.040 styrene strip to simulate the window trim. The arm rest is a piece of styrene channel with the corners rounded off. I will paint the trim aluminum and the arm rest a weathered leather color.

[up148]

Looks great! Anxious to see the end results.

[DaveJfr0]

I saw your part diagram request. When I once upon a time ordered parts from AtlasO for these, I had emailed the parts department with a list of what I wanted and Bill gave me the part numbers and I then ordered them from the parts website. Not sure why not everything has a parts diagram online. would probably save Bill a lot of time.

[rnb3]

Now that most of the modifications and detailing is done, it’s time to start adding color! I use a basic flat grey primer to even out all the different material colors before the finishing colors are applied. I masked off all the screw holes so they won’t get clogged with paint.

I made a couple simple wooden fixtures to hold the frame and body while painting. These are self-standing and serve as hand holds.

The cab is still waiting on windows, so it isn’t being painted in this round. Also the trucks need to be cleaned and tuned so the side frames will be painted later.

The Dark Gray and Colonial Red finish colors are a glossy finish so decals will set better. I will let the new paint set for at least a week so it will be fully hardened before I start on decals.

SW paint 1.jpg (299 KiB) Viewed 9806 times

[rnb3]

As a project like this nears the finish it can be easy to miss something. The paint phase is a big event as it closes out the previous detailing and modification phases. Once the paint is on, it is super hard to make corrections or add a forgotten detail without damaging the paint.

I find it helpful to make a check list of the entire project in order to think through the whole project and make sure each step is complete and in the proper order. The list can also help visualize what still needs work and what needs purchased. I also take the time to group the remaining sub-assemblies into finish colors.

[Erik C Lindgren]

Nice work Rick!

Erik

[rnb3]

I've been working since June on an this O scale SW1200. Its all painted and decaled for my freelance railroad. Now I'm working on weathering layers. I'm somewhere between the rust layer and the worn off metal layer!

Board attachment limit has been reach so, pictures posted later...!

[up148]

Time for us all to go in and clean out old or unnecessary photos posted.

[ScaleCraft]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm building an Atlas O Scale SW1200 and am searching for a set of the rumored, long-lost laser cut windows for this model. I believe these were sold by Chooch Enterprises Inc. (or Ultra Scale) some time in the past. I don't see them on the Chooch website and have sent them an email; waiting for a response.

I have replaced the overly thick roof on the Atlas model and would like to address the same shell thickness issue visible at the windows. I tried the Bob Sobol method of using a mill to undercut the front windows but chickened out on the rear ones!

Just got a sale notice from Chooch on these:

Atlas SW-8 replacement plexiglass windows 654

Price: $24.00 / set

Makes the windows flush with the outer side

https://www.choochenterprises.com/654.html

[rnb3]

I haven't updated my project on this list in a while. Does anybody know what the "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached message means? Is this my personal limit?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I haven't updated my project on this list in a while. Does anybody know what the "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached message means? Is this my personal limit?

There's a finite amount of storage space directly supplied by the forum for its users - it's full. It happens all too often. It's also why many here make use other hosting services

[rnb3]

Thanks for your fast reply Martin!

I only have 7 photos posted on this forum, all in this thread. Maybe later today, I'll see if I can replace any of them with a smaller file sized pic to do my part to help out!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

No idea if that will help; I've got an account hosting all my stuff at Smugmug.

[rogruth]

Thanks for your fast reply Martin!

I only have 7 photos posted on this forum, all in this thread. Maybe later today, I'll see if I can replace any of them with a smaller file sized pic to do my part to help out!

I don't think that will help.

[riogrande491]

Sir Rickles—

Just dropping a few photo sizes probably won't help much if at all. We bloviate here only by the grace of the web site owner, who pays the bill There is a limited amount of space he pays for to allow for uploaded photos.

Like Rufus I too use a paid Smugmug account, one which I've had for many years. I post links to photos and videos instead of uploading them directly. Like this vid.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Trains/Model ... 0-1920.mp4