The NW-2 Project

[u18b]

Whew.  This has been a challenging project.  All decals have been custom made.  There are a few things I'll do better in the future, but it is passable for now.






Paint got a little thicker than i wanted since I had a hard time matching the proper color.

Decided to do the early version.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1930894

Ron Bearden

[mandealco]

Very nice work Ron, as usual.
Cheers
Steve

[robert3985]

Sweet!  Now all it needs is an air line to the bell, mirrors and shades over the side cab windows...easy details that will "pop" it.

The separate grabs and uncoupling levers look very nice along with the Archer louvers.

Hope you'll post photos of the final build!

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Sheesh, I think this model looks excellent without the bell airline, separate grabs and uncoupling levers.

From experience, I know that we all have a trigger point for each project where we say "enough detailing, it is done!"  But that trigger point is at a different level for each modeler.  While participating in layout construction sessions, I sometimes take a building which was finished by another friend participating in the construction and I add more details to what he considered a finished building. 

The only comment I have is on the decal. The lettering seems to be a bit ragged.  I realize that it was custom-made, but even if it was printed on  an Alps printer (I assume that, since it is a white decal), the lettering could be much higher quality ( I print my own decals on Alps so I know what it is capable of).  But with some weathering, this model will look just fine. 

[u18b]

Thanks Guys.

Peteski, yes.  They were printed on an Alps printer on Walther's decal paper - but not my printer.  I sent the file to a friend who printed it for me.

I should also say that they were printed about 5 years ago.  I've had them all this time and glad to finally get this project done.

Also, close up shots are brutal (top photo).  What you eye will see is closer to the second photo (read- three foot rule).

I've already spend some time correcting/perfecting the CorelDRAW file (for example, the 50xx cab numbers are too skinny, they should be fatter following Chessie practice).  When I finish with the file for the article, I may send it to Micro-Scale in hopes they do them one day.

As for detail-- these guys keep pushing me to make it better and better.     In fact, I already did more than I planned to do.

But as to the philosophy, you are correct.  Ive spent so much time with this model over a couple of weeks, I don't know if I feel like spending more and more hours adding 16 tiny stripes on the step edges.

Furthermore, I'm in the middle of several projects.  I've submitted seven  nine  articles to date (from this summer's work) for publication.  I'm working on about 3 or 4 more right now.

[peteski]

Ron, this sounds just like my hobby life!  My first (2-part) magazine article took me around 1.5 years to finish (as I kept getting distracted by other, more urgent projects.)  I think my backlog of projects is about 3 years or so.  Spending time on the online forums does not help either. 

If you designed the artwork in Corel Draw (which is what I use), I assume it was in a vector format. I'm surprised that the road number on the cab is that jagged. Same goes for the small lettering above. I print some really small lettering (in the photo below) and it to me doesn't look all that jagged.

[PAL_Houston]

Hi, Ron: 
what a great model! 
Great thread too!! 
I wish I was so talented as you guys are!

[robert3985]

Sheesh, I think this model looks excellent without the bell airline, separate grabs and uncoupling levers.

From experience, I know that we all have a trigger point for each project where we say "enough detailing, it is done!"  But that trigger point is at a different level for each modeler.  While participating in layout construction sessions, I sometimes take a building which was finished by another friend participating in the construction and I add more details to what he considered a finished building. 

The only comment I have is on the decal. The lettering seems to be a bit ragged.  I realize that it was custom-made, but even if it was printed on  an Alps printer (I assume that, since it is a white decal), the lettering could be much higher quality ( I print my own decals on Alps so I know what it is capable of).  But with some weathering, this model will look just fine. 

Look closer peteski...it HAS separate grabs and uncoupling levers...and well done I might add.

Me "pushing" Ron for a bell airline, window shades and mirrors is because they'd be a cinch to apply, and add just the right amount of "character" to this model to really set it off...especially if he fabricates the window shades from .003" brass and bends them up a little...just like the photos. 

I agree 100% that the model looks great now.  Adding the above mentioned details would make it really great...AND...my "pushing" is all done in a spirit of fun and encouragement.

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

p.s.  No such thing as "the three-foot rule" until you can put your engines and cars on the track from three feet away!

[peteski]

Look closer peteski...it HAS separate grabs and uncoupling levers...and well done I might add.

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

p.s.  No such thing as "the three-foot rule" until you can put your engines and cars on the track from three feet away!

Bob, I know. That is why I was a bit confused about your statement. Earlier on in this thread Ron was "bullied" (um, talked) into doing that by someone... 

[u18b]

All in love.   

[robert3985]

Bob, I know. That is why I was a bit confused about your statement. Earlier on in this thread Ron was "bullied" (um, talked) into doing that by someone... 

Petski,
Ron was just waiting for someone to "encourage" him about the grabs and levers.  I just asked him a simple question.  No "bullying" in any sense of the word. 

Ron's work is excellent.  I admire anybody who models specific prototypes.

I get all kinds of "encouragement" from local modelers who drop by and look at my projects.  I never object and I always appreciate it.  I think it's fun to "blue-sky" about how detailed we can get with our projects.  Of course, there is the law of diminishing returns, such as details that cannot be seen unless the model is turned upside down, or interiors inside shells that don't come off or can't be seen from windows.  My suggestions for Ron don't fall into that category and are nothing that I don't do myself with my own projects.

I'm looking forward to reading the articles Ron has authored.  Hopefully he will let us know when and where they'll be published.

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

[u18b]

I'm looking forward to reading the articles Ron has authored.  Hopefully he will let us know when and where they'll be published.

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

That's nice of you Bob.
The place is N-Scale Magazine.  The time is check every issue.  Pam has not quite two years' worth of articles by me right now.
I went about 4 years without doing much of anything except one editorial.  It's good to be back.

I'm working on about 4 articles right now.  This green switcher will be one of them.

Ron

[sirenwerks]

Your model looks amazing, Ron!

I keep hoping Trainworx, TrainCat or GMM will make replacement screens and louvers for the front end and top of the hood for the Kato and Life Like models.  The two new Alcos coming out may need such details too, and the RS units available all need fan screen replacements.  It's a shame BLMA stopped advancing its similar detail product line to include F and E unit fan detail and non-EMD models.  I think the added depth such detail adds gives more baa-zing to projects like this.