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  1. Toolbelt

    NCE SW9-SR decoder

    Good news. I received a response from NCE and they sent me a zip file of the updated manual (dated May 1, 2023) for my version. I was kinda hoping this version was upgraded to allow wiring in LEDs for the rear and aux lights without the need for adding resistors, but alas, the functionality...
  2. Toolbelt

    NCE SW9-SR decoder

    I just received my first decoder, for my P2K SW9 switcher. Luckily, it's a fairly basic decoder with only 3 available lighting functions (including front and rear headlights). It seemed like a great way to wet my feet, and I'm comfortable with soldering and basic electronics, and following...
  3. Toolbelt

    NCE SW9-SR decoder (for P2K SW9/1200)

    This board has a built-in resistor for an LED headlight bulb but is designed to use the original 1.5v incandescent rear bulb. There is a way to to bypass the built-in resistor and run an LED (with an inline resistor) for rear and additional Fx light (beacon, etc), but does this decoder allow...
  4. Toolbelt

    Xuron 2175B (horizontal) vs 2175M (vertical) Track cutters

    If you could only buy one cutter, which would you choose? My feeling is that the vertical cutter allows the cutting of loose track as well as already installed track, whereas the horizontal cutter is designed to cut loose track only. I'm assuming both make an equally clean cut (at least on one...
  5. Toolbelt

    Wiper/wiper arm painting (ho scale)

    Luckily these are still attached to the sprue so I have that flexibility.
  6. Toolbelt

    Wiper/wiper arm painting (ho scale)

    Got some wiper arms for various locos. What's the best way to paint up these tiny, fine detail parts. Airbrush prime/paint, Brushed prime/paint, or a black marker???
  7. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    Yes the texture really adds another layer of realism.
  8. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    I think the trick is to make it look natural, with a blending of techniques so that nothing stands out. I may add just a hint of some weathering powder and call it a day. I'm probably up to 4 hrs in total on one set of trucks. lol
  9. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    It's probably my eyes but all I saw was dark bluish undertones to it on my side frames. In all fairness, maybe it was the road film I later misted them with, which just didn't seem to work with it. I stripped them and started again from scratch using AK Black Rubber with a light, but coarse...
  10. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    I tried the Dark Iron of some side frames but I found it to have a bit of blueish/purple in it to my eyes. I switched it out for Burnt Rubber on those and I'm happy with it. I'm a huge fan of Red Brown as I used it around the rims of some open hoppers. Kinda has a brownish, rusty, primer...
  11. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    I have AK Rubber Black and Tamiya Dark Iron but I think they're much too dark. I have blacks and whites and greys and browns to make an appealing colour. I'll check out Panzer Grey when I hit the hobby store next. Thanks.
  12. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    A grimy black would be a brownish black?
  13. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    I seem to be colour challenged at duplicating prototype colours, after making several failed attempts. Too red, too black, too brown, too light, too dark, etc etc. Am just trying to get a good starting point which I can tweak as needed.
  14. Toolbelt

    Rolling Stock Road Grime (for underbody and wheel splash)

    I realize there are likely 1000's of choices, if one had to pick one, what would everybody's go to road grime colour be, for rolling stock? Straight out of the bottle or a custom mix? Dark, medium or light shade? A grey, or brown variation? Would you wrap it slightly onto the lower body edge...
  15. Toolbelt

    Trucks/sideframes, wheel face colors

    Thanks for sharing. I'm sure everybody uses slightly different methods and colours but you helped establish my baseline. I will vary it from car to car and loco to loco as in the real world, but having a good foundation is critical. I love that this hobby has so many sub-hobbies within it...
  16. Toolbelt

    Trucks/sideframes, wheel face colors

    Based on your loco pics, I assume you dry-brush the Territorial Beige over the Black Grey base? Looks great. I just repainted my GP-50 side frames with your Black Grey, after originally painting them with a burnt chocolate craft paint, which didn't look too bad, but yours are more realistic...
  17. Toolbelt

    Trucks/sideframes, wheel face colors

    I hear you. I think I'm on the same wavelength. I like those colors and will mix up the variations so that each car will not have a cookie-cutter look. Your results are exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for sharing. 👍
  18. Toolbelt

    Trucks/sideframes, wheel face colors

    I stopped by WallyMart and picked up some Territorial Beige but they don't carry the Nutmeg. I also grabbed some Coffee Latte and Country Twill. I'm not even sure what Nutmeg looks like. I picked up the other two as they are shades of beige which I might use at some point. Small bottles are...
  19. Toolbelt

    Trucks/sideframes, wheel face colors

    I picked up the camo brown and grimy black (I already had the rust). When you say "in that order", if doing trucks, what is your basic process? Hit a few areas with rust, then spot spray the brown followed by the grime in certain areas?
  20. Toolbelt

    Athearn GP-50

    About half a hair? lol




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