Sd45-2'

[GonzoCRFan]

One thing I found interesting about this discussion, and mirror discussions on TB and Atlas, is a change in how critical we have become of 1/160 models.  Back in early 2003 when the "BNSF Executive" Kato SD70MAC's were released, I posted photos showing how poor the paint was on these units.  The photos were around HO scale in size on the screen depending on your resolution.  I was BLASTED for posting such large photos (2X actual size).  Now, in this instance almost exactly five years later, not a SINGLE comment was made regarding photos that, on a couple of different displays I've used over the past few days, are CLEARLY HO scale sized and perhaps a little larger.  (EDIT: There was a comment or two since I wrote this, for the record)

Maybe it was was because Kato is/was "untouchable"?

Perhaps this is because over the past 4+ years, hi-speed internet has become much more widespread, and people have come to accept/expect larger photos along with the increase in download speeds?

[Denver Road Doug]

Hmmm...."dialup rage"...interesting theory.  Makes sense. 

[John]

Definition of blamestorming (blām'stôr'mĭng):

1. (n.) A method of collectively finding one to blame for a mistake no one is willing to confess to. Often occurs in the form of a meeting of colleagues at work, gathered to decide who is to blame for a screw up.

It is also usually the guy thats not there that day

[nscalesteve]

Now how easy (or hard) is it to get these shells apart?

I don't know about the SD45-2 yet but the SD40T-2 and SD45T-2 are glued together. (yes, even the latest SD45T-2 run !) the long hood is one part, the nose is one part and the cab is one part and they are glued together (which is how they are constructed) so they stay in shape and together on the loose drive (compare that with a nicely tooled Kato shell were every part of the shell is so precise that it will snap together and stay in place w/o any glue - and that all with a much smoother drive and $20 less retail ! - yes I know, the trucks are from Atlas which we know are crap and the drive is a 1:1 copy of an Atlas drive). then the windows are all glued in from the outside (not like Atlas, Kato or LifeLike). the snow plow is glued in. some parts of the handrails are glued in which makes them nearly impossible to remove w/o breaking them. (the handrails are actually very nice and thin but as soon as you look at them a littlebit angry they break - I think there must be another plastic available which is more elastic). the horn and handrails are tooled way back in the 18th century (they really look like sh&%) and are glued in. the windshield wipers are too big and glued in the wrong way into way too big holes (never heard about a #80 size hole ey ?) yes, some will say at least they have windshield wipers - I prefer to use another brand) what else ? did I miss something... ? yes, the SD45-2 I saw on the pictures on the Atlas forum looks exactly the same way "constructed" as the mighty Tunnel Motors... 

EDIT: I did miss a very important one, the light glasses are also glued in (wait, they are more like welde together with the shell) and there is NO WAY to remove them w/o break the light housing - best way to remove them is to drill them out and replace them with fiber optics...

...and now to the fuel tank, the ATSF SD45-2 which is also available at this time has the right fuel tank on so they have the right one available yet !

what I would like to know, who actually did build them for IM ? was it Kader (which would explain a lot about the crapy look (tooling), sill and handrails) or was it Sandakan or Cheong Tak or whom ? (yes, don't be shy, you can send me the answer by eMail or PM if you know it - I won't tell anybody...)

another question, where can I buy undecorated IM shells and handrails (to fix some SD40T-2 I did buy many moons ago...)

wow, a lot of bla bla about nothing, sorry...   

[nscalesteve]

Maybe it was because Kato is/was "untouchable"?

I don't think it has had something to do with the fact that they are untouchable (they aren't, @ least not lately, did you see the BNSF SD40-2 #6746 in the heritage livery ?)...
...but the overal look was still like a fine model with a smooth drive and not like a toyish looking, glued together piece of Bachmann !

[Matthew Roberts]

Wow. It really is horrid-looking, how can paint be that bad? I  say worse than what my SD40T-2 is like. My biggest gripe with my tunnel motor is the stupid "fall out" handrails. But then again, I got it for only $50.

Steve4, I've seen some recent Bachmann that's better than that stuff. Will we start calling it IM-crap?

[nscalesteve]

I'd replace the blower duct with an Atlas 38-2 version...

I like to replace blower ducts (but I don't give a toss about the handrails and exhaust...  )

[wm3798]

Even Bachmann doesn't use glue...

The Devil's Advocate.

[tom mann]

My vote is for Cheong Tak. If you look at the photo in the lower right on this page- http://www.cheongtak.com.hk/molding.html - you can clearly see two employees arguing over a fuel tank.

[POVC]

another question, where can I buy undecorated IM shells and handrails (to fix some SD40T-2 I did buy many moons ago...)

wow, a lot of bla bla about nothing, sorry...   

Might try emailing InterMountain.  The shells and handrails are molded at their facility in Colorado (then shipped to China for painting and assembly) so they probably have some undecs laying around that they might be willing to sell you.

Tim

[justTRAINcRaZy]

My vote is for Cheong Tak. If you look at the photo in the lower right on this page- http://www.cheongtak.com.hk/molding.html - you can clearly see two employees arguing over a fuel tank.

I think you may have meant THIS......the Engineering and QC page.

KB

[Ryan87]

I don't know about the SD45-2 yet.. ...a lot of bla bla about nothing, sorry...   

Thanks Steve, Well I think My plan will be to try and get an unassembled shell from Intermountain and mating it to a Kato SD40-2 Drive (or use the original drive if that doesn't work) and then using either Atlas or Kato parts (depending on the width of the IMRC Shell) to replace all the "Lima" Tooling...

Should be fun I've never done a major kitbash before... :-[ 

[NA Tower]

Hey Guys

I posted the pics on the A Board.. These are not preproduction models.. (Just clarifying)
I really didn't mean to start a sh*t storm..

To be honest, besides the problems with certain features with the CSX, I am going to wait for the Conrails.. I think it will be easier to compare the paint job. It looks a lot better in person than in those pics (just my opinion) But as the for the paint job, I think a nice little weathering will go a long way.

Thanx


Rob

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[nscalesteve]

Or the wrong sill

what a nice through-ball I gave you with this picture ey... ?

fcuk you're right...  (I wouldn't have seen this w/o you mention it - THANK YOU, one more beside the steps and light assembly on the front and and and...)