N Scale EMD Model 40 critter build

[Jim Starbuck]

Jim,
This is very impressive.
 

Thank you Ron!

[Jim Starbuck]

One of the final hurdles before paint and final assembly was solved.
The shell is held to the chassis platform with two 00-90 screws passing through clearance holes in the platform then threaded into styrene gussets in the cab corners. This worked fine until I wanted to mount the fuel tanks which covered the screw locations. I wanted to use brass rod for the tanks to add as much weight as possible.
The solution was to drill a clearance hole in the .097” brass fuel tank and counter bore the hole for a screw. The fuel tanks are glued to the underside of the chassis and still allow the screws to be removed.

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[Jim Starbuck]

I cut the friction bearing boxes off an old Rapido truck and glued them over the brass bearing cups. Going to hide the chassis in plain sight.

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[garethashenden]

Where are you going to put the speaker?

[Jim Starbuck]

Where are you going to put the speaker?

Fortunately, space in the cab is occupied by a lead weight. I can’t imagine how annoying it would sound with dual screaming Detroit Diesel two strokes.
I reassembled it and with the tungsten powder in the hoods it weighs in at .725 oz. On the Unitrack test layout it walked away with ten Atlas and MT 2 bay covered hoppers. I’m extremely happy with how it runs and spent the last hour having a blast switching cars with it.

[Cajonpassfan]

An ugly little sucker. Wonderful modeling job though
Fun stuff, Otto

[Chris333]

Tungsten powder is less dense than lead. Just sayin'.

[Jim Starbuck]

An ugly little sucker. Wonderful modeling job though
Fun stuff, Otto

Thank you Otto!

[Jim Starbuck]

Tungsten powder is less dense than lead. Just sayin'.

Granted, but the powder was super convenient to completely fill the cavities in the hoods above the motor. I’ll give up a bit of weight for the convenience. I’m extremely happy with how it runs and pulls. I was expecting it to move maybe three or four cars tops.
It’s roughly half the size of a Bachmann 44 tonner.

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[Jim Starbuck]

Making some progress on the railings, ladders & tank piping.

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[Jim Starbuck]

Making some steady progress. Railings are all done so it was time for paint.
Airbrushed Tamiya semigloss black then Mr Hobby rattle can matt clear after decals. This was a new paint technique for me and I couldn’t be happier with the finish.

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[Chris333]

Love the demonstrator look 

[Jim Starbuck]

Love the demonstrator look 

Thanks Chris,
Going to nickname this one Bandit because of the black and gold scheme.

[Cajonpassfan]

Slick
Otto

[Jim Starbuck]

I’m calling the Model 40 finished.
I’m quite pleased with how it runs and have learned a great deal throughout this build.
Thanks for following along!

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