44 Tonner

[kiwi_al]

Thanks , It will pull 10 cars , but it likes 8 much better . I would have been happy with 4 .

Richie, Is that with one or two traction tires fitted ? I have 2 traction tires fitted and am getting around that performance. It'll also haul one Kato Stack unit - it won't haul two!

[bsoplinger]

I've been quietly cleaning up the first of 3 shells, starting with the worst one, figure I'd make the most mistakes on the shell that was in the worst shape. I'm waiting on the gross of 000-120 screws I've ordered to show up, since they were $2 more than getting just 25 of them from smallparts.com ($28 vs $30). Hopefully these will be small enough to pass as springs on the trucks since the 'standard' MT 00-90 screw is way too big. I was thinking about trying to get some 0000-160 ultra tiny watchmaker screws but they're just way too expensive (about $5 each in small quantities).

I'll post a pic of them next to a MT 00-90 for comparison when they're here along with my trucks. If they work out to be small enough, I'll gladly send off a bunch to other folks. Doing the math, assuming each screw can only do 1 spring, you'd need 16 (2 pair each truck), plus $0.52 (1 oz with stuff inside postage) yields 3.80, so say $4 for 17 screws, that way you have an extra 

There's always the possibility that I'll try my hand at casting them should they come out ok, but I've never done that before.

[up1950s]

Thats with only 1 traction tire .

[up1950s]

A word of advice . After I did the rough painting I noticed something . On the UP unit there is a upper red stripe whose lower edge is at the upper edge of the doors on the hoods . When that stripe is brought around the cab there should be some window bars below it in yellow . The way my casting was , there would be the red stripe just under the window with the window NOT dissecting it . I increased my windows downward so the stripe is dissected and not unbroken . Here is a shot from Ed Austin's fine book Union Pacific Diesels in color Volume One 1934-1959 page 34 to show what I mean , along with my modified window shell .


Here is the before shot that brought my attention to the window depth problem .

[randgust]

I think you're right Richie.  Something didn't look quite right about the cab and I couldn't put my finger on it but I think that's it.

BTW, what is "DS" in front if "DS 1399".... "Diesel Switcher????"

[up1950s]

DS means Diesel Switcher , after 1953 it was removed as a prefix from the diesels . The slogans were changed to Dependable Transportation and renumbered into MoW about 1959 . I don't have any shots of it between 1953 and 1959 though , and this unit may have not had the DS removed . I am undecided as to include the DS or not . I guess I will decide when the decals are in a puddle of water . 

Of other note , On UP diesels of this era , the word Union Pacific is on the long hood with the number below it . On this unit when looking at a side view the name and number is always on the right no matter if your looking at the " Serves All The West " side or " Road Of The Streamliners "  side . I have books that show this .

[bsoplinger]

Here’s another source for Tungsten Putty if you can’t find it locally.  It’s a Pinewood Derby hobby shop and the product is called “Wutty”. (I suppose the “W” is from the chemical symbol for tungsten.)

http://www.winderby.com/m05_040829.html

They provided extremely fast service.  I ordered it at 2:00 PM on Friday the 19th and it arrived today, the 21st.  It’s a little cheaper at $4.95 for a 1oz. package.  The blob of putty in the photo is 1” wide, weighs exactly 1.0 oz. and is extremely pliable.

I sent them an email inquiring about this stuff. They want to do a priority mail shipment (ie over $9 for 1 oz of putty) which begs the question, is anyone interested in doing a group buy and getting your single oz of this shipped 1st class? Seems like it'd save a buck or two if at least 3 or 4 folks got together on it.

[tom mann]

First, the new sideframes are made by Chris333, and they look great.

My latest:





Richie, your handrails look great.  Oh, and sorry guys, I noticed the high windows last week when I painted the black on my MILW Rd model...the windows should be lowered to the tops of the doors...I should have said something. :-[

[kiwi_al]

Hi Tom, How's your pick up system working ? - just wondering

[up1950s]

Tom , that looks great . I should have sprayed mine , but my paint booth/table downstairs has got 3 feet of tools on it . Chris's truck are a winner . I will use them on my next unit .

[tom mann]

Hi Tom, How's your pick up system working ? - just wondering

very crapily.  but only 1/2 of it is wired now.

[up1950s]

Well , I am calling this done . I hope my next Wyoming & La Grange one will be a bit better . I think a will take a week or so off till I dive into it . My next one will have Chris's better sideframes , so it have to be better . It will be much easier to paint and decal as well .

[nscalesteve]

...very nice Richie
(and now, eBay it and you'll get mucho dinero for it, bet ?)

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have now joined the ranks of the 44 club. I just recived my ex-JnJ shell in the mail. It looks very nice, but there are some flash issues. I plan on completly rebuilding the side windows. I like Tom's idea of rebuilding the chassis, but i'll probably try a different pickup route. Who has good sideframe castings?

[up1950s]

I have now joined the ranks of the 44 club. I just recived my ex-JnJ shell in the mail. It looks very nice, but there are some flash issues. I plan on completly rebuilding the side windows. I like Tom's idea of rebuilding the chassis, but i'll probably try a different pickup route. Who has good sideframe castings?

I have an extra set from Chris I will give ya . Send me your address .