My 0-6-0 project is actually on hold since the new decoder was to big! So, I decided to work on a new diesel project meanwhile.

I recently got my hand on a Bachmann RS3 with sound value decoder. Lots have already been said about this engine, but I must admit I was really surprised. It perfermed as well as some of my best Atlas locomotive.

It was redetailled with few brass parts including winter hatch, horn, rerailers, numberboards, marker lights, antenna and grab. The stack was extend with bit of styrene.

The discerning CPR fan now the carbody isn't right. The MLW-built has different doors and louvers arrangement, also, steps extend in front of the cab along the long hood. I wasn't interested to go that far, just to get a MLW-CPR overall look.

Now, the challenge is to weather it today. Most CPR diesel locomotives looked like pieces of junk from a bankrupt company even a few years after being repainted!

The original locomotive:



The modified model:






Matt

I followed Steve's thread about is CF engine. I first applied a light pale oil wash made of raw umber and white. I almost wiped it out completely. It was followed by a burnt umber and black wash to make details pop out. When it was dry, I used black pastel chalk to dust the rood and horizontal surfaces. Everything was then sealed with dullcote. Then, I added another layer of pastel chalk to complete the job, using various tone to give more depth. I hate when a model just looks like it had been dipped in a black pool. Dust was also applyed to running board and lower body. I didn't seal this layer. When weathering, I often don't seal the last layer of chalk to keep a dust look. It gives also different shades and finishes, making the model more realistic in my opinion. I've been doing it for 2-3 years now and don't see problems when handling it.



Trucks were airbrushed with acrylic washes. Brake cylinders, bearings and springs were touched up with oil paint. A light coat of pastel completed the job.

Finally, lenses were added to the marker lamps.













Matt

Very nice out come! Thanks for sharing the how to also

ratled

Matt!

A very good job you did here. The first time i see the Bachmann RS-3 in a real photo as it is delivered. And much better is, what can be done to upgrade and rebuilding it to a specific prototype, as you demonstrated here.
The grab irons, are they home made? And the sound files, are they correct for an ALCO? I plan to buy one as soon as they are availabe here in Germany.

Lutz

Schraddel Wrote:Matt!

A very good job you did here. The first time i see the Bachmann RS-3 in a real photo as it is delivered. And much better is, what can be done to upgrade and rebuilding it to a specific prototype, as you demonstrated here.
The grab irons, are they home made? And the sound files, are they correct for an ALCO? I plan to buy one as soon as they are availabe here in Germany.

Lutz

Lutz, thanks for your comments.

All grabirons were added, some are home made, others are Detail West parts. I don't know for the other roadnames, but the CP Rail version is almost prototypically painted.

The sound file is correct for an ALCO (engine 244). If you check the link, you'll have more specifications about the decoder.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM%20...rs3_sv.pdf

A quick search on YouTUbe will bring a few videos of this switcher in action. Gives a good idea of the sound.

Overall, with light detailling, it's a good locomotive and a great runner. I operated it for 6 hours in a row yesterday and was more than pleased. Slow speed performance is really good too and was appreciated for yard work.

As my "handle" suggests, I'm no fan of powered "boxes"....But you did an OUTSTANDING job on this baby..!!

After all...trains is trains.....

Steamtrains Wrote:As my "handle" suggests, I'm no fan of powered "boxes"....But you did an OUTSTANDING job on this baby..!!

After all...trains is trains.....

To me, ALCO is a steam engine disguised under a round-corner diesel shell!

Matt

Matt, I did something very similar with an Atlas CP RS-3 some years ago.
[attachment=12957]
I used a Trackside Details CP Alco winterization hatch, which I think is now a lost wax part from Custom Finishing. (I have a second CP unit that's waiting for this one to be added.) However, I didn't go as far as you did with the extra details. What did you use for the number boards on the front and the horns?

For that matter, could you show in a little more detail what you did with the exhaust extension?

JWB, detail parts are from Miniatures by Eric and include a correct CPR horn, the winter hatch, correct numberboards (I shaved the ones on the model), marker lights and rerailers. Sinclair antenna is from Detail West.

The stack extension is a rectangular piece of styrene which I rounded and drilled. Nothing special. Ones could do it with a thin metal sheet too.

The numberboard could be home made with a piece of thick styrene and 2 brass wire brackets. Too often we pay for brass parts we could do with scrap material on hand. When I made my 3 FA+B+A, I only bought one winter hatch to get the dimensions right. Then I made my own in styrene.

Matt