Super Detailing - Tips and Suggestions Needed Please

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BNSF_Denali_Sub

BNSF SD70MAC's
Okay, so i just finished assembling the Athearn Genesis SD70M unit painted in the EMD Demo Paint Scheme. Now i want to super detail it, which is something ive never done to a locomotive before. So, what are some detail parts some of you guys would suggest i add onto this unit to super detail it? I want it to look like the proto unit (#7001) but i dont have the slightest clue as to what parts i should get to add onto this unit, i dont know what the specific details are called LOL.

I know i need MU Hoses, so i was going to get a pack of those and add them onto the front and rear of the unit, but what else? What type of antenna? I dont like the one that came with the unit from Athearn, and would like to replace it, but dont know what to use. After the details are added on, i will be weathering the unit, making an attempt to match the proto unit lol

Im also not sure what the pre-drilled holes on the front and rear of the unit are for? Anyone know? I dont have any parts that would go into these holes left from the parts supplied in the box....

Suggestions of parts and who makes them in HO would be greatly appreciated. Here are some pictures of the unit i just finished, as well as a couple links to the proto unit.

SL373693.jpg


SL373694.jpg


SL373695.jpg


SL373696.jpg


SL373697.jpg




http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=94301

http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=94302

http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=94303


EMDX #7001 is now CSX #4676:

http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=47381

I will not be repainting this unit, instead modeling it before it was sold off to CSX....


Any help in the detail department will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance,
 
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Josh, I am among the last persons posting here to give any advice about diesels, being a steam guy, but those holes just behind and above the plows are for quick-connects....you know, the dangly hoses for MUing electrical connections to controll multiple units from the lead engine, and also brake lines because an integrated brake line must run the length of the train. The cars don't generate their own air for brake application....they need the engines' compressors to pump up the entire system before the train can leave the yard!

If you look at any exploding diagramme or paperwork that came with your very nice engine, it will show grab irons (handles that look like tiny staples to your eyes) that must go into other holes up on the superstructure, or else other items like fake lights or whatever.

A good source for what goes where and how it looks on the real locomotives is railpictures.net. You don't need to register (yet), but do a search by entering information in the fields you see on the home page, and then scroll through the library as it is presented to you.

-Crandell
 
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The hole closest to the coupler is for the Train Line Air Hose (Details West #267) Then the other holes are for the MU Air hoses (DW #266) Details West also makes a detail kit for the SD70's that includes a lot of parts for the underframe.The Question is how far do you want to go.

Here is a link for you, Check out the link - SD70 info.

http://www.detailswest.com/
 


Crandell and Mark, you guys rock!!

I see that Details west makes it very easy on me and has a detail kit specifically for the EMD SD70M :D

Im also going to get a few of the SD75I Detail kits they have to do the 3 Genesis BNSF SD75I's i have sitting here lol

Thanks again guys, and thanks for that link, im sitting here racking up a nice little bill in detail parts for 4 Athearn Genesis locomotives LOL
 
Hi !

You can check if it's the right horn, the right snow plow, you can ad the brake line on the truck side frame. Check for ditch light, MU hose, MU plug.

The best way it's to find the most picture as possible of the real engine and check them carefully with the model and you can see what is not accurate.

Thanks !
 
Josh, you'll need:

Details West:
RB-106
*BE-127
*PL-155
*AH-190
MU-218 (or MU-236, both optional)
TC-224 (optional)
*MU-266
RA-276
*AH-302 (the kit might come with AH-268)
*AF-311

DS-296 should have everything with a star. It should also have fuel tank fittings. I'd ask Paul (Details West) what parts are in it before ordering, so you know what else you need. The ones I listed are based upon comparing photos of 7001 to the DW parts catalog.

You'll also need Detail Associates 2211, the AAR type 1 coupler lever.
 
Thanks Josh for the list of parts :D

Here is what I came up with to super detail the SD70M based on DW parts:

235-296 - Detail Kit for Athearn Genesis -- For SP, ATSF, BNSF, EMD, IC & NS SD70, SD70M & SD75M Diesels
235-300 - Detail Kit for Athearn Genesis -- Auxilliary Details for SD70 - All Roads
235-301 - Ditch Light -- Late Style w/Lenses
235-266 - MU Cables - 3 Cluster, All Roads
235-302 - Air Hose -- Locomotive Drop Elbow Style
229-2211 - Coupler Lift Bars - AAR type 1
235-106 - Rotary Beacon - Roof Mount
331-6034 - MU & Brake Hose Set - Rubber (Air, Sand, and Signal Hoses)
331-6007 - Universal Antenna Dome - Octagon


I have 2 sets of MU cables on there, one from DW and one from Hi-Tech Details, the Hi-Tech ones are rubber, so i thought i would give them a shot and see how they work.

I forgot about the beacon, so i added 235-106 to the list above as well
 
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Looks like you have it all to me, Josh. The only thing that's missing is windshield wipers, and I don't know if they are included in one of the Athearn kits.

Edit: Those large receptacles are for plugging in the multifunction train control cable. It's the big red one you see hanging under the anitclimber on some railroads. It takes the place of most of the MU cables you see in the last picture you posted. Not all railroads use these, particularly the CSX, so they were removed and the engine is connected using the individual MU cables. The demo units had both options so they'd mate up properly on the different railroads they ran on.
 
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Looks like you have it all to me, Josh. The only thing that's missing is windshield wipers, and I don't know if they are included in one of the Athearn kits.

They were included, but i have not installed them yet. Athearn does not provide pre-drilled holes, so i have to measure them out, which im not looking forward too LOL
 
331-6007 - Universal Antenna Dome - Octagon
Why this part? It's not on the unit in any of the photos. It has a can type antenna.

Can anyone explain why they have been taken off? Whats the purpose of a MU Receptacle?
The MU Cable uses electrical connection to run MU. The MU hoses (3 hoses to either side of the coupler) use air, ect, to do the same.

As Jim said, CSX prefers the MU hoses, but the MU cable connection is still installed, the cable is just not there.
 
Why this part? It's not on the unit in any of the photos. It has a can type antenna.

Yeah i know its not on the prototype, but i like the looks of the big antenna, so imma add it to the model. This along with the color of the handrails will be off from the prototype....


The MU Cable uses electrical connection to run MU. The MU hoses (3 hoses to either side of the coupler) use air, ect, to do the same.

As Jim said, CSX prefers the MU hoses, but the MU cable connection is still installed, the cable is just not there.


Ahhhh okay I see, thanks for the explanation Josh. :D

Ill start a new thread for the locomotive when i get the parts in and start working on it. Im going to order the parts for my 3 Athearn Genesis BNSF SD75I's as well, so i can super detail all 4 at once
 
Okay so here is the list of parts i have on order for the EMD SD70M:

235-296 - Detail Kit for Athearn Genesis -- For SP, ATSF, BNSF, EMD, IC & NS SD70, SD70M & SD75M Diesels
235-300 - Detail Kit for Athearn Genesis -- Auxilliary Details for SD70 - All Roads
235-301 - Ditch Light -- Late Style w/Lenses
235-266 - MU Cables - 3 Cluster, All Roads
235-302 - Air Hose -- Locomotive Drop Elbow Style
235-236 - MU Cables - Double-Ended Receptacle & Two Receptacles
235-106 - Rotary Beacon - Roof Mount
229-2211 - Coupler Lift Bars - AAR type 1
331-6034 - MU & Brake Hose Set - Rubber (Air, Sand, and Signal Hoses)
331-6007 - Universal Antenna Dome - Octagon

235 numbers are Details West, 229 numbers are Detail Associates, 331 numbers are Hi-Tech Details

I think this will really dress up the current rather plain looking locomotive :D
 




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