I emailed Erik the other day to let him know I put a check in the mail and he responded back with these. Man these locos are beautiful and I really can't wait to get mine. Looks like there will be an update soon enough
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Wow. The detail on this is amazing.
Good Day,
The craftsmanship looks fantastic! I wish Erik the best on the SD45 Project!
Regards,
Frank
Great great work! it's marvelous!
jpv in France
Great great work! it's marvelous!
jpv in France
They sure are beautiful !
You could just sit for hours soaking in all the details....stunning!
I'll see if he will end me more pictures, lord knows anyone who's ordered them has paid for a preview
ATSF #5305
The Flexicoils look stunning...
I couldn't help but notice the brake wheel markings
No question Eric is doing a great job on this project, I like the sprung bolsters although I notice one end of the bolster is bent up,[ I am sure that will be corrected ]I also like the true I beam frame. For those investing in this project it appears they can look forward to an outstanding model. I would assume that future models could include DCC and Sound if the market will support it. JMO
I just asked him about it and that part of the bolster is angled, it's not bent that's the way it's supposed to be
I think they are absolutely gorgeous.
Matt Makens posted:I just asked him about it and that part of the bolster is angled, it's not bent that's the way it's supposed to be
For those that may not be aware, Eric has been working with REAL EMD MANUFACTURING DRAWINGS, so unless one is familiar with REAL EMD diesel units, it just might not be helpful to point out "presumed defects" in Eric's components.
But I am sure Hotwater would be "steaming" if he finds something odd in the model.
"For those that may not be aware, Eric has been working with REAL EMD MANUFACTURING DRAWINGS, so unless one is familiar with REAL EMD diesel units, it just might not be helpful to point out "presumed defects" in Eric's components."
Oh really!
Does Erik know that the main reservoir glad hand is "Right Handed"? An extremely common mistake on models.
Another common mistake is people criticizing PILOT MODELS. They're polit models so you can find the mistakes. Where's your brass models? Everybody can do it better.
Hot Water posted:Matt Makens posted:I just asked him about it and that part of the bolster is angled, it's not bent that's the way it's supposed to be
For those that may not be aware, Eric has been working with REAL EMD MANUFACTURING DRAWINGS, so unless one is familiar with REAL EMD diesel units, it just might not be helpful to point out "presumed defects" in Eric's components.
Not questioning the prototypical accuracy of the truck bolster plate but in the original posters images #100849 and #100857 the leg of the "H" shaped bolster plate closest to the front appears to be bent slightly upward while the remaining 3 legs appear to lay flat on the truck frame, not talking about the angle finish in the top posted view above, just looks like that to me.
Big Jim posted:"For those that may not be aware, Eric has been working with REAL EMD MANUFACTURING DRAWINGS, so unless one is familiar with REAL EMD diesel units, it just might not be helpful to point out "presumed defects" in Eric's components."
Oh really!
Does Erik know that the main reservoir glad hand is "Right Handed"? An extremely common mistake on models.
Such details do NOT show on EMD production and assembly drawings. That falls under special assembly written instructions.
Matt Makens posted:Another common mistake is people criticizing PILOT MODELS. They're polit models so you can find the mistakes.
Criticizing pilot or even polite models is in fact a means to note mistakes - catch them now vs. next year. There is such a thing as constructive criticism, although that does seem a forgotten concept in today's terms of polite discourse and conversation.
One might use care when using factory drawings. Key was going to use the nose profile of the PA from factory drawings. It took photos to counter that.
bob2 posted:One might use care when using factory drawings. Key was going to use the nose profile of the PA from factory drawings. It took photos to counter that.
No better advice could be given to manufacturers. More than a few have been bitten by building models to builders plans that don't accurately portray any of the prototypes that were actually built by the builders.
I agree but offering criticism to a third party not involved in corrections or decision making is a pointless effort. His email is on his website so if you see any thing you feel is in error I'm sure he'd appreciate the heads up. Telling me doesn't do anything. I leave it up to the guy with stones to build the models to do the homework and get the details right. I'm sure there are all kinds of errors on these and I'm also sure he has everyone of them on a list to be corrected.
Im a customer for 2 of these bad boys and I'm super stoked to get em. The point of the post was to show the progress. And I think he's doing a phenomenal frickin job. I don't think I've seen any diesel with this level of detail
Well said, Matt.
Matt Makens posted:Another common mistake is people criticizing PILOT MODELS. They're polit models so you can find the mistakes. Where's your brass models? Everybody can do it better.
Hmmm, seems as though I asked a question. "Does Erik know that the main reservoir glad hand is "Right Handed"? An extremely common mistake on models."
Matt,
Since I don't have any interest in this model and you do, I thought that I would point out that the main reservoir glad hand is wrong so you can pass the info along and get what you pay for. Looks like if you can get the lettering on the brake wheel, you should be able to get a proper glad hand. And, you better not leave it up to a "guy with stones" to get things right because little details like this DO get overlooked or worse, ignored.
If they are anything like the hoses I got for my scratch built cars, the end fitting will turn in the plastic hose.
mwb posted:Matt Makens posted:Another common mistake is people criticizing PILOT MODELS. They're polit models so you can find the mistakes.
Criticizing pilot or even polite models is in fact a means to note mistakes - catch them now vs. next year. There is such a thing as constructive criticism, although that does seem a forgotten concept in today's terms of polite discourse and conversation.
+1. Builders have so many things on their plate it's easy to miss some obvious mistakes, so I think they appreciate hearing about the ones that can be corrected before they go to production. As long as comments are made in the right way there should be nothing wrong with pointing out errors or "presumed errors". As long as the comments and discussions don't denigrate into (fill in the blank) is better than yours and stays on subject its good.
BH
MaxSouthOz posted:If they are anything like the hoses I got for my scratch built cars, the end fitting will turn in the plastic hose.
I'm sure that they will, however, an upside down left hand glad hand does not make an upright right hand glad hand.
You are correct Jim, its an entirely different casting. Ive pointed out some things to Erik including the glad hand which he is aware of he says his list of errors on these models is long. Jim dont take any of my previous comments personally, they are not. There are a lot of naysayers and nit pickers trolling the inter-web and I do appreciate constructive criticism but I dont want things turning into slam fest about whats correct and whats not.
Rats! I had to look where Matt lives. I was hoping he might be looking for trackage rights on another layout! 
(when they arrive... of course.)
I am as I'm still a 3 railer with lots of 3 rail and a good size layout at my uncles house. I'll be running my 2 rail at the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
Pretty much the same procedure that all major importers have done for decades. Drawings are the starting point, but actual inspection and measuring of components and details makes the difference whether a model will be good or great. OMI always did prototype inspections and the other majors did the same. This is one of those expenses buyers may not be aware of, but research can be time consuming and costly.
BH
Research is a huge amount of time and effort
I'm especially excited....the ATSF pilot model in the photos is the exact version I ordered. Nice to be able to see my purchase before it's even built. Beautiful!
I'm stoked for my CNW locos with the bell in the nose and no dynamics
I agree with Matt also!
These are just pilot models before corrections.
Stephen
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