EP-2 bipolar #E4 is finished

[u18b]

I would be embarrassed to say how long this took.   But I'm very glad to have finished the third new Bearden EP-2.

Here are several photos of the locomotive and all that came with it.



If you have insomnia, or your are really REALLY curious, here are some other threads:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31042.0
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/?topic=36215.0

And of course, Spookshow's review (about halfway down):  http://www.spookshow.net/loco/njep2.html











I still can't believe I let you guys talk me into doing multiple headlights.   They are really time consuming.   

















Times have changed from when I first designed this years ago.  So I decided it was almost pointless to burn two mini DVDs for all the information for this loco. But I have the cutout for the case.  So I kept the case and just put a cheap flash card in there with all the movies and documents.











Sometimes I throw in something extra for the customer.  This time I found an actual ticket and baggage stub from 1947.

[sd45elect2000]

I have one of my own to finish. It has quite a bit of tarnish on it, I need to figure out how to prep the brass. I need to re read your threads on improving the drive train and then I think I am going to paint it black.

[Cajonpassfan]

Truly a work of art...and the presentation, wow!
Otto K.

[peteski]

Absolutely stunning (again) Ron!   

[mmagliaro]

Man, that is one beautiful, professional package.  The package and presentation are as impressive as all the modeling work.
I sure hope your customers are paying what that is worth, because it's worth a LOT!
Hat's off to you!

[MK]

Man, that is one COMPLETE package!!!!   

[SP-Wolf]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Wolf

[0303fxm]

Congrats on the GREAT accomplishment!
The headlights are exceptional!  I believe you made the space of the truck and body slim.

Did you send these photos to Kumata?  If not, may I send them to Kumata in Japanese?

Thank you.

Ryoichi Fukushima
Yokohama, Japan

[muktown128]

Ron,

That is some really impressive work on the loco and all of the extras that you included!!!  Just WOW!!!

[peteski]

Congrats on the GREAT accomplishment!
The headlights are exceptional!  I believe you made the space of the truck and body slim.

Did you send these photos to Kumata?  If not, may I send them to Kumata in Japanese?

Thank you.

Ryoichi Fukushima
Yokohama, Japan

Ryoichi,
The earlier thread Ron alluded to ( https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31042.0 ) will also show Kumata every little modification Ron makes to these models.  Guests can view this forum, so the Kumata staff should be able to read any threads here.

[0303fxm]

Pete,

Thanks for your response, and I usually enjoy your professional comments in this forum.

I believe however the Kumata staff does not view this forum everyday, and that’s why I offered the announcement.

Ryoichi

[u18b]

Congrats on the GREAT accomplishment!
The headlights are exceptional!  I believe you made the space of the truck and body slim.

Did you send these photos to Kumata?  If not, may I send them to Kumata in Japanese?

Thank you.

Ryoichi Fukushima
Yokohama, Japan

Thank you, Ryoichi.  As a reminder to everyone, Ryoichi was my contact in Japan who provided MUCH needed historical information on the version Kumata released in Japan as well as providing some photos of the two of the versions KMT painted.  I owned 20% of the entire  production run, and to date, I don't think any full locomotives have been seen outside of Japan.  (though a guy last year was selling some stripped shells on ebay- would have loved to know the story behind that but the guy said he bought them from someone else.).

And yes, Ryoichi, I did lower that HUGE gap that KMT produced by three ways.  1.  I added a frame to visually reduce the gap.  2. I soldered brass washers to raise the gearbox which further reduced the gap.  And 3. I did away with the washer between the bushing and the front truck.

And for reference, here are two shots the Ryoichi sent me.  These are stock KMT EP-2s.  Look how high they are! (and you can just see the silver washer riding right on top of the front truck).







And yes, you may provide any information you like to KMT.  I completely redesigned their loco.

[dem34]

wow.

Almost tempts to buy the one hiding in a nearby shop, but I am well aware how much of a monstrous undertaking that is.

[u18b]

wow.

Almost tempts to buy the one hiding in a nearby shop, but I am well aware how much of a monstrous undertaking that is.

At the rate I'm moving (  ) it may be a few years....

But I plan to write another extensive thread specifically for the old NJ model.  Much of what I do on these new models is transferable- but some is not.  Further, I've had a few people write me through the years who did not go "on the journey" that many of you did when I developed how to build these (that's part of the lure of those threads- it's the process that was an adventure for me and many of you).

But if you are just coming to this information and you own or will buy an old NJ EP-2, it is incredibly daunting to wade through 75 pages of information!

So one day, I'll write in a much more concise thread detailing exactly what NJ EP-2 owners can do.

[nkalanaga]

I wonder if there would be a practical way to put those 75 pages into a PDF file?  Not only would it be handier to read, but it would probably take less of Railwire's bandwicth.