Island Modelworks SW1001s

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Doesn't the SW1500 sill sit higher with deeper steps?

Jason

Snitches get stitches

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed,

Nice adjustment and thanks for bringing the thread back.  I wonder now with 3D printing if the frame could be printed to fit the actual shell for the SW1001?  With Victor's motor and flywheel I think that could work.

I thought about that, but honestly, the rest of the shell isn't anything to write home about.

Would it be possible to 3D a whole new shell? Probably.

But I have two of the Island shells already, so this is what's happening.

[jpf94]

glad you thought of it.  90% is better then none.  Look forward to seeing them in paint.

[kiwi_al]

Wow this is a blast from the past, i err haven't worked on mine since  Must dig it out.
Ed what are you going to with the overhanging cab sides - use styrene strip to widen the sill?
I have about 2 of the shells you are using and I can't remember what I was going to use them for, I have 2 SW1001 shells. ahh well it'll come back to me eventually 

I found the SW1001 shells and about 8 MP15DC shells I was going to convert into SW1500's 

[learmoia]

Since we're revisiting 10 years later...

What about the base Island shell with a Bachmann NW2 frame?

I don't think it bulges out from it's thinnest point..

~Ian

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed what are you going to with the overhanging cab sides - use styrene strip to widen the sill?

They're actually not nearly as bad as the photo makes them look. Part of the problem is that I still have more shell inside the MTL hood to remove. When I sit them on the frame without the pressure from that they fit perfectly. I wanted to leave SOME of the old hood since it performs some latching functions so I think I'll need to continue thinning it some more.

Since we're revisiting 10 years later...

What about the base Island shell with a Bachmann NW2 frame?

I don't think it bulges out from it's thinnest point..

~Ian

That's an interesting idea. I don't have an NW2 here though. Also, the rest of the shell really isn't that great and I'm not too sad about losing it.

I did take a measurement in there though, I think it was .38". If anyone has a naked NW2 you can check that out and see if it's narrow enough to fit.

[learmoia]

They're actually not nearly as bad as the photo makes them look. Part of the problem is that I still have more shell inside the MTL hood to remove. When I sit them on the frame without the pressure from that they fit perfectly. I wanted to leave SOME of the old hood since it performs some latching functions so I think I'll need to continue thinning it some more.

That's an interesting idea. I don't have an NW2 here though. Also, the rest of the shell really isn't that great and I'm not too sad about losing it.

I did take a measurement in there though, I think it was .38". If anyone has a naked NW2 you can check that out and see if it's narrow enough to fit.

I searched back to see if anyone has printed an SW1001 since 2008 and it looks like CESM did and was discussed here in 2016.. did you ever get one of those?

~Ian

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I searched back to see if anyone has printed an SW1001 since 2008 and it looks like CESM did and was discussed here in 2016.. did you ever get one of those?

~Ian

Nope. I don't know if that ever actually got done. @dcutting , did it?

Either way, I've got these shells and this project is moving ahead.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

She's starting to look more like a 1001 boys.

I had originally thought about saying "screw it" about the radiator length (which differs between a SW1000/SW1001 and SW1500) and the sand boxes. However, I realized that if I'm in for a penny I should be in for a pound. So I cut down the radiator and created sand boxes. I'll tell you, when it comes to those sand boxes I have never wished for a milling machine more. They would've been so much easier if I could've had precise control, but I guess I didn't do too bad with the ol' freehand Xacto.

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[Steveruger45]

She's starting to look more like a 1001 boys.

I had originally thought about saying "screw it" about the radiator length (which differs between a SW1000/SW1001 and SW1500) and the sand boxes. However, I realized that if I'm in for a penny I should be in for a pound. So I cut down the radiator and created sand boxes. I'll tell you, when it comes to those sand boxes I have never wished for a milling machine more. They would've been so much easier if I could've had precise control, but I guess I didn't do too bad with the ol' freehand Xacto.

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Exacto milling machine job looks just fine to me Ed.
For myself, i can use machine tools (Lathes, millers Etc etc) but i still find i like to use hand tools when ever i can. You have seen my frame milling on your SD40’s, all by hand.
I just feel more in control.
I know that might sound odd or even stupid but thats how i feel.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The fun continues.

First I discovered something super annoying.

Apparently these were some of the LAST engines Conrail repainted with most of them remaining in Reading colors through 1983. Now, usually, I'd be all in on doing a patch job (they ARE the reason I decided to get into Early Conrail), however in my mind's eye this guy needs to be blue.

One of them, 9424, WAS repainted very early on into a blue scheme but, of course, it's weird: it's got the road unit sized CONRAIL on the hood sides instead of the standard, smaller, switcher style. And guess when THAT was changed into the normal scheme: somewhere between 1/30/85 and 9/20/85. So, if I go with THAT scheme I'm good for early Conrail but if I decide to go back to 85 I'm boned. THANKS CONRAIL.

The weird scheme in early 85: http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9424-with-a-non-standard-large-CONRAIL-at-Frankford-junction-Philadelphia-Pa-1131985
The normal scheme in fall of 85: http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9424-with-a-more-standard-CONRAIL-paint-job-at-Frankford-Junction-9201985

I think I'm still going to go with 9424 with the big CONRAIL and, at some point, use the other shell for a green one because this IS hot:
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9307-9310-and-9419-Cross-the-Port-Richmond-Yard-on-the-Belgrade-St-Connector-in-Philadelph
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9421-on-the-Delair-bridge-approach-in-Philadelphia-PA-387

Many thanks to Bob Waller's CRCYC which CONTINUES to be an amazing resource. I'm glad I was able to filter my research back into this page for him:
http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/emd/sw1001/sw1001repaint.html

Ok, so onto construction updates.
I've puttied some things including the cab window (gone under Conrail) and the frame around the other one. I also rebuilt the pilots some more with custom made anti-climbers. Again, wish I had a 3D printer for these to get them precise but these are good enough for me.

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Next up I need to deal with handrails. The sides are going to be easy using the existing MTL ones (as soon as I find where I put them), but the ends are tough. I THINK I need to find a set of handrails from a BL2. That should be fun to try and find.

[Jbub]

Not that you're looking for opinions but I like the look of the big Conrail better. I know a lot of us like to be as prototypically accurate as possible, but sometimes you gotta do something that suits your fancy.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Not that you're looking for opinions but I like the look of the big Conrail better. I know a lot of us like to be as prototypically accurate as possible, but sometimes you gotta do something that suits your fancy.

Haha, yeah. It's definitely growing on me. I'm not gonna complain with that beauty running around.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

More progress!

Thanks to @Kentuckian , handrails. These are from a BL2 and with a few mods look absolutely perfect.



Next up a HUGE step: I mated it up to its mechanism (after installing a decoder and cursing at its wonky construction for an hour). It has officially been programmed to 9424.

This photo actually gave me some chills. It's really starting to come together now and look "right".



Onward!

[Wlal13again]

You do realize after you finish it someone will announce one RTR right???