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1:32 Metra Trains


Chuck
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Here if you want to see where the trains are coming from. This shows a cab ride into Chicago Union Stations lower level tracks from the North side.

Oh...I started this right at Canal Street where the above video was taken.

 

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Well got a little more done this week but not as much as I was hoping for. I wanted to be clear coating the chassis today but the USPS had other plans...I guess.

Last Monday I ordered some white stripe decals from Circus City. Along the bottom of hood or in my case the chassis sides are painted blue with white safety stripes applied. Originally I planned on painting the white but the decals work so good that I decided to use them. So the USPS decided that for some reason I lived in Des Moines, Iowa instead of 45 miles NW of Chicago and decals won't be here until tomorrow. They should have been here Friday and they were about 15 miles away. Anyway Circus City told me he has a order that was sent to New Hampshire that was routed via Hawaii...:Face_With_Rolling_Eyes_Emoji_large(24x24):

 

Here I painted chassis sides and ends blue then black. White step ends and silver kick panel. Decaled what I could and now waiting for my 600 mile detour white stripe decals to arrive.

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Painted fuel tank and pilots black, highlighted fuels caps, gauges and MU electric receptacles in red and clear coated. Mounted Kadees and USA Gp38-2 coupler cut levers.

 

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Start on making the cab interior next. Seats are from a USA Sd40-2, Control console from a MTH F7 and MTH engineer figure.

 

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Here's a real F40 control console and mine will be close enough :Slightly_Smiling_Face_Emoji(24x24):

 

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Well it's alive :Slightly_Smiling_Face_Emoji(24x24):

 

Need to install the lights, interior and wire up the smoke unit.

 

Right now it has the Metra Operation North Pole soundfile loaded as it's the only one that has towns in my area. MTH does have a Union Pacific line and Blue Island soundfiles but I haven't checked those out yet.

 

 

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Nick, It was your Sharknose build thread where you made the grills along the top that pushed me to make the rear grills on this out of brass screen from McMaster Carr!  And I'm glad that I did :Slightly_Smiling_Face_Emoji(24x24): 

 

I mocked up the commuter car as wanted to see what it's all gonna look like. MTH passenger car and roof. Now I need to mold up and make some MTH roofs and trucks. And try to flute the sides and roof...make interior etc.

 

It's amazing how close the MTH roof profile darn near matches the car end...:Thumbs_Up_Hand_Sign_Emoji_large(24x24):

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  • 5 weeks later...

Finishing up as all lights are wired, USA Trains smoke unit installed and interior completed.

 

Wiring along with MTH PS32 board and weights installed.

 

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Forward lights..

 

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Reverse...the red lights don't show up very well...

 

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Interior...I really like the soft glow on incandescent bulbs when it comes to interior and number board lights.

 

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Chuck...amazing job! The engine is better than anything you could buy. The detail & electronics are excellent, wires are all organized, I am very impressed. I think you need to make a couple of 1/29 scale Union Pacific auxiliary tankers....lol. I really want one. Again impressive job.

Brian

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Brian, Thanks as I do try to keep it all neat and clean.

 

You know I've thought about making a few of those for behind the USA Big Boy :Slightly_Smiling_Face_Emoji(24x24):

Few weeks ago a pair of Aristo 3 axle Commonwealth tender trucks that would work for those tenders sold for like $150 on Ebay :Flushed_Face_Emoji_large(24x24):

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I found this video on You Tube and it's really something! Chicago trains and such starting in 1969. Shows early Penn Central running heavyweights with black engines. Early Amtrak rainbow trains with GN Big Sky Blue paint and BN Cascade Green "hockey stick" paint. The Medusa Concrete Barge heading down the Chicago River. The EMD SDP40F's, Pre Metra engines in the blue RTA paint. The Crandall cab C&NW E8's. Early and late IC electrics. The EMD LaGrange Plant open house with the GM FT diesels that beat steam...and DDA40X 6936 when it was brand spanking new...now sits in Cheyenne rotting away as hasn't been on the road for 10 years. All that in 23 and a half minutes!

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
 
 
 
 

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