Basic MP15AC Build

[skytop35]

 I followed an article in the May/June 2010 issue of N Scale Railroading in order to build my Milwaukee Road MP15AC. However for those building other versions or not able to obtain the article, I'm going to document the basic build process for the Skytop Models MP15AC conversion shell. Hopefully It should get you up and running in practically no time! This will get you through the construction phase of the model and leave the final details up to you for your particular railroad. You will need to start with an Atlas MP15DC. However be careful when choosing your base model as the details vary on the Atlas models depending on the railroad. The sand fill hatches behind the cab come to mind as there are a couple of variations. Now, let's get started. The first step is to totally disassemble the model and strip the paint if it is decorated. There are many small parts, so put them in a safe place until needed. The front platform is the hardest part of build and we'll begin there.

The original article in NSR was somewhat unclear about a few steps when extending the front platform. Hopefully this will clear things up a bit. In addition to removing and saving the small front MU stand, there are two small rectangles of plastic that need to be cut away from the front pilot. Also trim the anti climber flush with the face of the pilot.



The modified pilot


Extending the front platform is next. It is harder to describe than to fabricate. It is made from a piece of .040 sheet styrene about 9/16” wide and it extends about 1/16” beyond the front of the pilot. Remove a center portion to make a U shaped piece to fit around the original walkway. Work slow and only remove a bit of material at a time. Test fit often. Glue this piece in place once you are satisfied with the fit.


New steps are made from a piece of .010 styrene about a scale foot and a half wide. Be sure to notch the lower front corner and glue in place. Once the glue sets, drill a small hole through the styrene and enlarge it to a square shape with a new sharp #11 hobby blade. The styrene is thin and easy to cut to size. I didn't measure anything, I just worked slowly and “eye balled” the step holes. The gusset next to the step is a piece of .020 x .060 styrene cut to length and then into a triangle.

[skytop35]

The front handrails are next. Insert the lower ends into the original holes. This allows you to see and mark where new holes to mount the handrails need to be drilled. Use a #72 bit to drill into the face of the walkway for the outermost stanchion. Then use a #77 bit to drill for the inner stanchions into the top of the walkway.



Test fit the Skytop Models MP15AC conversion hood piece onto the frame. In the photo below it's hard to see the hood in place but the four mounting lugs are plainly visible. Check and make sure the four mounting lugs are seated properly. The front lugs may need to be trimmed a bit.

The little nub that held the original hood in place at the front of the chassis needs to be removed. File it flat with a small file and test fit the Skytop Models conversion hood. The nubs at the back of the chassis may also need to be filed slightly if they make the hood bulge out at all.



 Lastly assemble all the main components in order to get a good test fit. Try running the mechanism to make sure the front trucks clear the new front gussets. Once all is in order, the basic MP15AC build is finished I'll leave the rest up to you to paint and detail for your favorite railroad !

[ryan_wilkerson]

Very nice, thank you for putting this into words with photo illustrations. Makes it much less daunting to see it described so concisely.

[ednadolski]

Nice job!   (don't forget to shave off those cast-on MU hoses  )

Ed

[James Costello]

Very nice, thank you for putting this into words with photo illustrations. Makes it much less daunting to see it described so concisely.

Yes, thanks Bill it's much appreciated. Mine arrived safely on Friday too.

[soo]

Very nice Bill!!!

  Maybe this could be the project to get me over my non model railroad activity hump.

  Looks straight forward enough.  I am thinking three units.

 Thanks again for doing a great job on these.

  Adios Wyatt

[James Costello]

Bill @skytop35 is there any chance you could reattach your photos to this thread?

I've gathered all my parts and heading into production 

Thanks mate

[skytop35]

Bill @skytop35 is there any chance you could reattach your photos to this thread?

I've gathered all my parts and heading into production 

Thanks mate

Done and good luck with the build !

[James Costello]

Done and good luck with the build !

Much appreciated Bill - thanks mate!

[ryan_wilkerson]

Bill, do you have an MP15AC shell that I could buy? I am getting a 404 error on the Skytop order page. Thanks!
-Ryan

[spookshow]

Bill's home page says that he has discontinued Skytop Models - http://skytopmodels.com/index.html

-Mark

[jpwisc]

Bill describes the build in more detail in the  Nov/Dec 2010 issue of N Scale Railroading. Fantastic article.

[garethashenden]

Bill's home page says that he has discontinued Skytop Models - http://skytopmodels.com/index.html

-Mark

Oh dear. I was just planning on ordering something...

[skytop35]

Bill describes the build in more detail in the  Nov/Dec 2010 issue of N Scale Railroading. Fantastic article.

.
Actually the article is by Steve Lohr and he did a fantastic job. I just thought it could be made a bit simpler if there were a casting available so that the hardest part of the build was already done. After talking to Steve and making sure he got one of the castings, I made them available at Skytop Models.

[skytop35]

Bill, do you have an MP15AC shell that I could buy? I am getting a 404 error on the Skytop order page. Thanks!
-Ryan

Sorry I don't have any, they were made as I got orders. Frankly I just got tired of doing resin casting for others. It's messy and some of the shells required a lot of flash cleanup before they passed my quality control. Also the molds are wearing out and I don't have much desire to replace them at this point in time. Thanks to all who bought castings.