custom

I just finished working on this custom painted engine. It’s my oldest train, my grandpa gave it to me when i was a very little kid. It has been dropped and scratched to all hell so I decided to give it a fresh coat of paint and make it a bit more colorful. I’m working on the tender next, i’m...

I tried out painting a box car for the first time. I'm much more used to making scenery and props for cosplay and D&D so am looking for some feedback. I plan on spending more time on the identification numbers as that seems to be the thing im missing most from a normal train car. What do you...

Hey folks, So, as I'm going to be modeling central Iowa in the late 00's/early 10's, one of my main goals is to model the Iowa Interstate 6988, a Chinese-built 2-10-2 QJ class brought over to the railroad in the 00's. Currently, the only HO model I can find is a Bachmann, and I'm not sure...

Hi there! Brand new to this website. I just had a question, and I figured you go to the experts when wanting the best answers! I'm currently painting custom HO figures and I selling them on Etsy (Just started in October) and other places. I was just wondering what figures people are looking for...

hey guys, I am modeling norfolk southern dsah 9-40cw as prototypical as possible. I will be using a athearn blue box dash 9-40cw unpowered kit for this project. The only down fall is that the light postion on the front of the locomotive is incorrect. They are in the nose by the door, i will be...

Hello, I am slowly trying to learn some things about modeling. One of my plans is to build a layout of Utah railroads in 1925 and 2025. As I am still in school, I want to start learning how to do some custom modeling. I want to scratchbuild a locomotive that was built by the Emigration...

Athearn SD9 (or 7) with a Smokey Valley SD24B conversion kit. Added are headlights, air tanks, Paducah air filter, and new stacks.

This is what happens when I get mad at the Smokey Valley GE Utility Cab sides... This engine is a B unit, as well as a shoving platform. It will get a coat of the WCTR (ex-Aztalan Pacific) Tan/Black patch paint.

These two B23-7's are known as the Desert Twins because of their odd looking paint schemes. Units are Rail Power Products shells on modified Athearn U23B chassis with FB sideframes. Units are detailed to the max with large snowplows, rooftop A/C units, and two 1/4 wave whip antennas.

These two B23-7's are known as the Desert Twins because of their odd looking paint schemes. Units are Rail Power Products shells on modified Athearn U23B chassis with FB sideframes. Units are detailed to the max with large snowplows, rooftop A/C units, and two 1/4 wave whip antennas.

The prototype was built after the cab was destroyed in a wreck. This unit will be the first unit that I will be painting in the WCTR scheme of the so many engines that I bought. There are 3 WCTR schemes. The Red cab, safety stripes and black body, the black body with red and white stripes...

One of the newest additions to the roster, I was able to find this and the two B23-7's for sale on the internet. All of the WCTR units were sold by a seller on eBay, and the first time around, I got 4 units. Now, I have 3 more in WCTR paint, and the other units pictured in this gallery will soon...

A revised photo of this WCTR unit. Since a couple of months ago, I have added jewels into the classification lights as well as the headlights, ditch lights, a horn, and handrails. Along with the SW9 set, this engine is also equiped with Automatic Train Control.

Used for yard switching on the WCTR

Used for yard switching on the WCTR

Athearn SW7. Cab replaced with new front end, air tanks on top, high visibility light placement for switching in yards, and Automatic Train Control Equipped.

Athearn SW7 with A/C unit, dual Pyle light and grab irons.

Athearn GP9B with conversion cab, lights, handrails and grab irons.

2 Athearn GP9's that have so many details, I can't name them all. There is one more GP9 to this set, but it is not shown in this picture; it's identical to the lead unit.

Walthers Jordan Spreader converted to 'summer blade" using original plow. The actual prorotype is Green Bay and Western X190, as it was also fashioned in this manner.