Chessie System SD40-2

[ATSF3814]

I wasn't happy with how my first version turned out, so I started this one over from scratch and I'm much happier with how it is coming out:





The cab is definitely the hardest part of this one to get right but it's nothing I can't figure out.

Now the biggest question I have on this one is the trucks. Some pictures I've seen show them painted dark blue like the top of the locomotive:

http://www.wmwestsub.com/wmequipment02.jpg

However, others show the trucks not painted at all:

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/1/0/4/1104.1097612640.jpg

So can anyone confirm for me whether or not it was standard practice for the trucks to be painted, or was it only done occasionally?

[Csxgp38-2]

I saw a CSX GP30 Slug Mate the other day, ex Chessie with blue paint showing through on trucks, so I guess it was standard for some models or through a certain year.

[imnew]

Love chessie ! Lookin good

[ATSF3814]

A little more progress today. The cab still needs some work, but it's getting there:




I also gave it the dark blue trucks. What do you guys think?

[BNSF650]

Awsome work man. Any chance of doing some BN Units?

[Shayfan1]

Awesome job I think the dark blue trucks work well

[imnew]

Awesome job I think the dark blue trucks work well

I echo the above.

[ATSF3814]

Well to me this paint job looks done:






But I wouldn't mind getting a second opinion. So would anyone like to volunteer to take it for a test run and give me some feedback?

Also, this will obviously have to be a static road number unit so how many numbers do you guys want? Maybe 10, 15?

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

You can't do an autonumbering unit? That would be most convenient for us users.

Chessie System was a large road, with many series of SD40-2's. B&O, C&O and WM all brought in their own units under a unified scheme.

Those of us who enjoy Tori's COARW and other eastern routes would dearly want autonumbering units to power our coal trains with 3-4 units each.

[ATSF3814]

Autonumbering can't be done on this one because the autonumbers are not in the correct position on the cab. They would appear where the C&O appears on the cab. Moving the numbers isn't an option either because they are built into the model itself so I would have to alter it to move the numbers. Something I'm unable to do unfortunately.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Understood. A pity the model's shape file is so inflexible. Three digit numbers are also a problem as the place holders can't be spread out evenly.

So fixed number it'll be then. 10 to 15 will surely do. Do you plan to paint a B&O and WM as well?

[ATSF3814]

So fixed number it'll be then. 10 to 15 will surely do. Do you plan to paint a B&O and WM as well?

I suppose that could be arranged:




So maybe a pack of 21 then? 7 C&O, 7 B&O and 7 WM. Or would 15 be enough?

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I suppose 15 will be enough for the most of us.

You can also cheat a little by having the road number in the usual place under the window and the road name beneath the number, on the battery box cover. Just swap the name and numbers so we can have the more desirable autonumbering units.

Only Chessie purists and nitpickers will complain, I certainly won't.