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    Painting plastic handrails

    Thanks for all the input, not really sure how I'm going to proceed. Wire handrails are starting to look better and better!!
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    Painting plastic handrails

    Years ago I did a lot of custom painting, and at the time my method for painting handrails (delrin, acetal, etc) was to mix some automotive flex additive in with paint. Now that I've started using water based paints (Pollyscale primarily, still have to try ModelFlex) I'm not sure what to do...
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    P2K GP38-2 - Sound?

    Yeah, I did an Atlas GP38 too, the P2K differs in that the weight is larger and would require more milling... I put my P2K GP38-2 back together tonight, and fear I lost a part or two. What kind of light baffles does the P2K GP38-2 have? I must have misplaced something, I now have a "bonfire in...
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    P2K GP38-2 - Sound?

    I've installed a few sound decoders with great results, then I turned to my P2K GP38-2. It looks like some major milling of the weights would be required. Or perhaps installing the speaker in the fuel tank... Just wondering if anyone here has tackled this particular install, and how you went...
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    Athearn decoder install - tidy?

    Very useful info, thanks to all! I'm ashamed I didn't think of the Photoshop trick, I use PS all the time. I appreciate it!
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    Athearn decoder install - tidy?

    I've got two Athearn locos I've hard wired Digitrax decoder in, a blue box GP38-2 and an RTR GP35. Run great on the test track. The problem I'm having is determining where to locate the decoder and wires so that nothing interferes with the mechanism. I tried mounting the decoder to the shell...
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    Rdg Sd45 7601

    I've got an undec and an extra body shell assembly, I'm really thinking about doing it! Was initially contemplating a PRSL unit but this would be more interesting...
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    Rdg Sd45 7601

    That's a great pic, thanks for sharing! I was always a big fan of the BAR, maybe we'll have to compare notes...
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    Rdg Sd45 7601

    Thanks, I like doing unique projects like this!
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    Rdg Sd45 7601

    As far as prototype photos I have many, I hesitate to post them out of copyright concerns, but here's a few links: http://www.sd45.com/reading/pages/rdg7601.htm http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/eastern/prsl2005.jpg http://users.silcon.com/~lgoss/bar366.htm
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    Rdg Sd45 7601

    Thanks guys, sorry I kind of forgot I started this thread! It was a fun project, and I may do another. The only other locos I recall having the same modification were some Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines (PRLS) GP38s. I am guessing that they survived thru PC and CR? I know at least one wound...
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    Help with Athearn Blue Box problem

    Paul, Thanks for the reply. What's weird is I replaced the trucks with another set from a brand new BB Geep, same thing. It's really perplexing, it makes you want to think the frame is bad! This weekend I'm going to try what I mentioned above and eliminate the frame from the equation... Will...
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    Help with Athearn Blue Box problem

    That's how it seems, however the frame bolster is nice and clean, and I even polished it a bit. But yet when I touch a lead to the bolster I get nothing. I'm going to try soldering a wire from the plate on the trucks directly to the decoder, bypassing the frame. Not sure what else to try at this...
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    Help with Athearn Blue Box problem

    Here's a short movie showing what I'm talking about: Quicktime: http://eagle.he.net/~sjwood/trains/bb_woes.mov AVI: http://eagle.he.net/~sjwood/trains/bb_woes.avi Thanks!
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    Help with Athearn Blue Box problem

    I'm gotten somewhat comfortable with decoder installations, but I've got one loco that's giving me fits. It's an Athearn Blue Box GP38-2 that a while back installed a Digitrax DH163D in. I isolated the motor and soldered all the connections, and the loco ran fine. Its sat for about a year, and...
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    Rdg Sd45 7601

    Sadly, I've been sooo busy with work and other obligations I've had precious little free time for loco projects. The last one that I had accomplished was this Reading SD45. The RDG SD45s were unique in that they had dual control stands, and the cab front wall had to be extended to accommodate...
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    Loco Lighting Concerns

    Thanks Fred, I wasn't aware of that, very helpful!
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    Loco Lighting Concerns

    Yeah, I've just ordered quite an assortment of resistors, once they come in I'll start experimenting. I think there's an opportunity for someone to provide pnp lighting solutions for DCC, most of use mere mortals are having a hard time with this! Thanks again.
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    Loco Lighting Concerns

    Thanks for all the replies! I would prefer to use LEDs, but in this one particular case (the Athearn RTR GP35) I seem to be intent on making it work with the 1.5V incandescent bulbs. Maybe for more of a learning experience than anything else! I will try higher ohm rated resistors in the...
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    Loco Lighting Concerns

    Well, I was able to get a bulb to light, but I could tell it was too bright so I didn't leave it on for long. With a 1/4w 560ohm resistor the reading was about 3 volts. Didn't blow the bulb but obviously I need a bigger resistor. This causes some concern about heat. There are 4 bulbs, 2 in the...




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