Get a GRIP! (25) SP SD9's to Build.

[Miles]

Bryan, I'll add the white handrails.

As for the fade, they ranged from a sooty black, to fresh gray, to almost completely sunfaded. There's such a wide variation in how the SD9's look, there's no one "definitive" paint job they'd have, and that's why they're fun to model. Believe me, I'll do some sun faded ones and some covered in soot. Stay tuned as I build....TWENTY THREE more.

Wazzou: I'm using SD7 shells, I believe. The only actual difference between the SD9 & SD7 shells are the end hand rail and the position of the classification lights, which are easily moved.

[Miles]

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One thing that sticks out to me, on these otherwise beautiful locomotives, is that the red paint at the ends looks a little thick.

It could just be the castings, but it might just be something to watch out for on the next batch.

[coosvalley]

The red looks glossy,, maybe that's why it looks thick?..Or is it the lighting?....The 3862 really shows it....

I bet a shot of dullcoat would help .....

Not picking on them though, I like em. I will be watching for the rest of them!

[sp org div]

Wazzou: I'm using SD7 shells, I believe. The only actual difference between the SD9 & SD7 shells are the end hand rail and the position of the classification lights, which are easily moved.

Im guessing it is just the angle and lighting of the photo re paint issues....
I think an important feature of the SP SD9 is the dual ladders on the short hood.  The main spotting features from the 7-9 are the 9's step configuration on the pilots (with different handrail configurations), the class light locations, and minor door / hood venting differences.  The "E"s have additional assorted exterior upgrades like liftbar, air filter, electrical, and fan enclosures... etc, which makes them a lot of fun to model.

You're on a roll Miles... go dog go!

[SandyEggoJake]

Two alternative thoughts on the lenses. 

You might consider a product called Gallery Glass, by Plaid Enterprises, Inc. which I've purchased at Michaels Craft Store.  I got this tip from http://www.ngineering.com/helpful.htm.

The other thought is more involved to do right, but might be worth it if doing as many as you are;  lap some acrylic red rhinestones flatbacks.  The smallest I've found lists as 1x1x0.7 mm, which actually specs out at 1.3x1.3x0.7m.  I just bought some in clear as an experiment to see if I can repolish such from a facet to a cabochon. 

[Miles]

Re: gloss and paint issues

My hobby shop carries "clear coat" from Testors in lieu of Dullcote. When I asked the guys at the hobby shop they said it has the same product number. Most of the time, it actually does work perfectly as dullcote, and I'm baffled why these two suddenly decided to go gloss on my last shot of the night. 

The red probably was a bit thick on these units as I was experimenting with matching the decal color of the wings to the nose, so these experimental two have 5-6 coats of red underneath the gray. I think I found exactly the paint ratio, using Vallejo "Scarlet Red" with the smallest hint of black paint mixed in, so subsequent units will be lighter.

I'll also be playing with various decal setting solutions to make the decals disappear more into the sides of the units. It didn't help that when you purchase decals off of eBay, you have no idea how old these damn things are.

The MV lenses do poke out a bit, but in person, they look splendid. I think I will experiment with gallery glass. I really want the red lenses to have a noticeable jewel effect versus just being regular lenses, which I've been using Testors' canopy glue in #72 drilled holes.

The next batch will take pretty much ALL the suggestions you guys mentioned and further improve them! So, stay tuned! 

[PROPULDUDE]

They're missing a prominent feature..the Farr air filters.

[Miles]

Beautiful job! I assume that's in HO? Who makes the electrical cabinets in HO? I have 3 SD9's of my own I'd like to make into SD9E's.

[mcjaco]

They're missing a prominent feature..the Farr air filters.

It's missing one thing.

SP filth.

Otherwise it's a beaut.

[JMaurer1]

What does a Southern Pacific wash rack look like?

A rain cloud.

[carlso]

Southern Pacific wash rack, wasn't that an oxymoron ?

carl

[wcfn100]

Didn't 4350 have ice breakers?

Jason

[JMaurer1]

Also, doesn't the little diamond below the cab window represent that the engine had been upgraded to the GRIP specs?

[SP-Wolf]

Also, doesn't the little diamond below the cab window represent that the engine had been upgraded to the GRIP specs?

The symbols:
Diamonds
On some locos there´s a small symbol by the number on the cab side. This was to indicate different types of spark arrestors.  (Non-turbo charged)

Dot
On a few SP locos  in the late 60' 70's etc. you‘d see a Dot above the Road numbers on the Cab. This was to indicate different types of spark arrestors. Dot or circle meant "Turbocharger equipped".

Triangle
From SP documents, the triangle meant "Cyclone spark arrester equipped".

Hope this helps a bit,
Wolf