ScaleTrains Dash 9 Build - Detailing (part 1)

[@JellyImages]

Super informative video. Very well done.

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

Those few things that you applied to your unit made an noticable difference. Well done. Looking forward to the next episode. I don't have a Scale Trains Dash 9(BNSF) but now I believe that I need to add one and follow your lead. 👍

[@freewake84]

Thanks, glad that you found it useful. I always enjoy improving a model, no matter how nice out of the box.

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

I finally did get a Scale Trains Dash 9(BNSF) #4336 & plan on using a couple of your remodeling techniques and my own ideas to improve the look. Do you have a email address? I'd like to send you a few pictures & get some input from you. Thanks.

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

I think the Scaletrains model is a good locomotive but the work you did was fantastic. Keep it up

[@freewake84]

It is a fantastic model. By far the best dash 9 available. There are certainly things that can be improved, but that's the case with every model. If there wasn't something to improve, where would the fun be in modeling?

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

KPack definitely

[@Transit159]

Which brand of black acrylic paint did you use for the windshield & which glue for the glass/plastic?

[@freewake84]

I just used whatever cheap craft acrylic Hobby Lobby had. I think it was Americana. The glue was Testor's version of window glue....dries clear. Canopy glue would probably be best.

[@AbelG8781]

So far the best weathering job I've seen on a Scaletrains D9 so far! Also, I love the gloves, cannot stand bare flesh on a model. Gross lol

[@freewake84]

Thanks! I wear nitrile gloves whenever I'm weathering to keep fingerprints off the model. If you get fingerprints on there during weathering, then can be very hard to get rid off. Also, the oils from your skin will rub off completed weathering if not careful. I handle my models with gloves until I complete them and seal the weathering with Dullcote. After that I will still handle very carefully to prevent damage to the weathering.

[@AbelG8781]

@@freewake84 I learned that long ago, it truly does make a difference to wear them!

[@boomer8393]

Bravo! Direct, informative and interesting! That's how you get new subscribers.

[@freewake84]

Thanks, I tried to keep it brief. I'll try to get the next video done here hopefully quickly.

[@flanker23]

my learning: do not destroy your model, light weathering is good, taking out handrails and disassemble is way over the limit. spend rest of the time enjoy running them.

[@freewake84]

Depends on how you enjoy the hobby. I enjoy building and detailing models, and then running them.

[@schmidtw900]

Amazing artistry !! Inspiring ! Thanks for sharing this series !! Id love to see more of your transformations !!!

[@mikogarage]

Nice tutorial...very usefull for professional..definetely not for me, because i can remove but not re install 😬

[@freewake84]

I used to be afraid of messing up a model, but what I've found is that it's not so scary once you do it. The more practice you get the easier it becomes. At this point I have no problems taking a brand new locomotive straight from the box and immediately begin to improve details and weather it.

[@thomream1888]

Hey Mik - can I suggest you take a look at ebay for a cheap loco to work on? You'll find quite a few locomotives at reasonable prices. Just get a dummy shell to try. If you really screw it up you'll only be out a few dollars. But like Kevin said, the more you try it the better you get. I'll admit to throwing away 2-3 cars over the years, and I'm not an award-winning modeler but I do have fun. Try it, let us know how it comes out! Ghost of SP

[@brokenk5hl131]

Hey bro, late on the comment train, but I love how you made and bent that x panel from scratch and would love to know how you did it and where the instructions to do so from tony sissons can be found (if he provided them from a source that is). I would love to be able to make my own brass x panels for a special bnsf es44dc phase II build.

[@freewake84]

Unfortunately the gold mine of modeling inspiration that was found on the old Protomodeler forums is gone. That's where Tony posted all his work. For the panels, he taught me to cut it to basically the right size first. Then use a sharp exacto blade and scribe where the bends are on the rear of the panel. Light passes. Do this on a soft surface. After a few passes the x had been made and the panel naturally bends to shape. Then go back and square up the sides with a file. Pretty easy. Use very thin brass. .005" is best

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

Damn! I want this for sale!

[@freewake84]

With how much time I spent on this locomotive I could never sell it. The weathering alone probably took dozens of hours. But that's how I enjoy the hobby.

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

KPack awesome

[@Trashman702]

Any thoughts on improving the hand brake chain?

[@freewake84]

In the past I've done etched chain on my models, which is nice because it's completely to scale. However, it's hard to find and I've run out. The chain on the ST model could certainly benefit from being thinner, but as it stands it is better than most other models that even have chain to begin with. In particular, I like how ST separated the chain to allow for swing. That's the exact same way I did it when I've used scale etched chain. It's inflexible and needs a break to allow the truck to swing.

[@devernepersonal3636]

just at the beginning this seems harder, as scale trains makes each unit road specific to the road number, so you really have to work hard to remove detail and then add on detail and be careful to see what stays the same and what changes.

[@freewake84]

It is definitely more work to model a specific prototype. But that's what I did. I didn't want to have the same locomotive number as everyone else, and the prototype #4555 was too interesting to pass up.

[@19scamps92]

okay, this is AWESOME! can't wait for the weathering part though!

[@freewake84]

I just need to find the time to get the next two videos done. I have all the raw video, but it takes me forever to compile it into anything useful. Hopefully within the next couple months?

[@19scamps92]

@@freewake84 i totally understand, it takes a lot of time so huge shoutout for your efforts and your work on that! maybe until then we will already have some positive news regarding the SERGENT problems ;) ;)

[@3006USMC]

Great video !

[@freewake84]

Thanks!

[@matthewtommasino8343]

Any links or way I could get those PTC bars

[@freewake84]

Possibly. Not sure where to post them. They aren't totally correct because I don't have accurate dimensions. I just made what looked right with what little information I could find on sizing.

[@edmundnadolski3588]

Fantastic work Kevin, looking forward to following the rest of your project!

[@freewake84]

Thanks Ed. I need to get working on the next two videos in the series.

[@lprailroad9712]

I have a question regarding a LM3 install in a MTH sd70ace. Can I ask here?

[@freewake84]

Sure, I'll if I can help!

[@lprailroad9712]

KPack thank you. I contacted Ring Engineering via email and they responded very quickly to my question. I’m ready to install it, received my harness fromTCS. I just have to fit it in. My email is [e-mail] if we could communicate off KZbin I think you are very knowledgeable with this stuff and I’m sure I will have questions, especially when I install the LM3S in my ScaleTrains gevo. Phil

[@waynehawkins2157]

I hope you do the Atlas dash 8-40bw.

[@railbuilderdhd]

KPak, well done!!! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your work. I recall your work from back on the weathered trains forums. You still posting on any of those forums? Railbuilderdhd - Dave

[@RyanDrake371]

Most of this seems very unnecessary

[@freewake84]

Thanks for sharing your opinion, but I have to disagree. I'm a prototype modeler at heart and part of my enjoyment in the hobby is improving models, no matter how nice they come. There are very few (two that I can think of) models that I haven't improved the details on before weathering. Most models could benefit from some form of additional detailing, and/or correcting details to match specific prototypes. If pulling a model out of the box and running it as-is is how you enjoy the hobby, more power to you. That's not how I enjoy it, and I love doing what I do.

[@ValleySubRailfan4643]

Well yes, but its for HIS enjoyment, but yes if it wasn't for that it would be unnecessary