Model Building HO SP Consist Part 10 - SD40 Front End Lighting

Dan's HO scale Southern Pacific consist build continues with more work on the Conrail SD40. SP leased some power from Conrail in the 1990s, which probably explains the unit's appearance in Truckee, California in the summer of 1993. Dan's model of CR 6283 was built from an HO scale Kato unit.
This is a model train that Dan first built several years ago. In its first incarnation, it had a LokSound 3.5 DCC sound decoder. This was the first model that Dan built with fiber optic headlights, which has since become his standard. Unfortunately the model was built with its original cast on radiator and dynamic brake fans.
In previous episodes, Dan replaced the fans with Cannon parts and installed lighting in the rear of the locomotive. The old decoder is gone and the model is in the process of being reworked.
In this episode Dan builds a light box and installs LEDs for the front number boards. Dan also installs a cab light and ground lights.
This mostly completes the lighting phase of this model.
The LokSound 5 DCC decoder Dan will be using in this model has 10 lighting outputs! That opens up a world of possibilities for model railroaders, especially SP modelers! With its red marker lights and operating number boards, this HO scale Conrail unit will also benefit from having so many lighting options.

[@hond4srule]

Loved every minute 👍

[@DanielCortopassi]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@nothanks1627]

Incredible work here! This is a beautifully lit Consolidated Rail road unit! Wish my fingers weren't so fat🤗

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@WhetstoneCreek]

Your lighting techniques have caused me so much time, because I’ve been going back and redoing a lot of my models based on your ideas and techniques. Thank you.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

Looking good. Thats a lot of tiny building for those lights

[@DanielCortopassi]

I think it'll look neat when it's done and the engine is put back together. Thanks for watching!

[@jhoodfysh]

Excellent video Dan, you really have great attention to detail, and excellent problem solving skills.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the video. Thanks so much!

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

Thanks Dan very informative great material and great ideas thumbs up to you and all you do for the hobby thanks again🚂🚂

[@DanielCortopassi]

You'e welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying the series. Thanks for watching!

[@fernandomarques5166]

Honestly, you're an amazing modeller. I would try this kind of stuff if I hadnt to import like 90% of the detail parts, also thanking god for the fact the railroads here removed truck lights.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@sterlingmyers560]

Hey Dan, Great video, as usual, FYI, for getting into tight spaces for a measurements, I use an old style grade school compass, the kind with a pencil . with a sharp point on the pencil you can touch the points where you need them then measure the points,, it's gotten me out of a bind, many times. thanks for all the neat stuff you and Nichole are doing, I always look forward to each video.

[@DanielCortopassi]

That's a cool idea, too. Thanks for the tip!

[@dave3156]

Very impressive as always Dan. Way out of my league but I enjoy watching!

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@struck2soon]

Great modelling as always.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for watching!

[@southernpacificfilmstudio2333]

CR 6283 is still in operation as 6413 on the Northwestern Pacific Railway in NorCal

[@DanielCortopassi]

Really? That's going on our list to railfan. Thanks for the info!

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

Hola buenas tarde excelente video abrazo grande

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for watching!

[@josecarlospereiramachado2016]

Parabéns esta ficando maravilhoso. Abracos.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for watching!

[@pretzelogic2689]

More great tips. Thanks.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@conrailfan6277]

Hello Dan and Nichole!! Awesome work on that Conrail unit, she will look sweet on your new layout!!! Hey Dan when you repainted those B 23-7s from Atlas didn't you install wire grab irons in place of the Atlas grabs when you finished it?? I just acquired 3 in CSX livery I'm going to strip and paint for Conrail, and if you're interested I found those cab signal boxes thru Shapeway and bought 40 to start for all the units I have!! Keep up the excellent work!!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes, I have replaced the nose grabs on Atlas B23-7s with wire. They're nice models but the nose grab irons are oversized and make the model look more toylike. That's good to know about the signal boxes on Shapeways. Thanks! There are a lot of interesting parts available there. Thanks for watching!

[@Highclearmedia]

Scaletrains is doing another run of SD40-2s. One of the roadnumbers is ATSF 5126, and I think it would be a cool video idea to compare that to the one you made

[@DanielCortopassi]

It looks like they're doing the 1980s appearance with the roof beacon. A comparison would be cool, though then I'd end up with two models of the same engine. I'll have to think about that one. Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@Highclearmedia]

@@DanielCortopassi You're welcome

[@Ultz_Sentinial]

What are the sizes of your penvise drill bits

[@DanielCortopassi]

I use a variety. Usually if the exact size is important I'll call it out in the video. For very small holes I usually use a No. 78 or 79. I also often use No. 76, 74, and 70 for larger holes, depending on what's needed. Thanks for watching!