@Rich Montague posted:Rich,
Very nice work. Unfortunately there’s no ideal solution for fixing pilots on the MTH SD40-2. The body tooling has the wrong step well contour. The factory pilots are quite crude, especially in the steps. After fixing those on a couple of models, I more recently tried repurposing an Atlas SD40 pilot leftover from a conversion, adding a spacer:
Not only is the step well contour wrong, but the dimensions too. Better than nothing I guess. The steps on a more scale pilot won’t align with the body. Too bad the GP40 part isn’t available. I find it frustrating MTH won’t stock two-rail pilot parts. Of course I also find frustrating that the 3rd Rail-Sunset SD40-2 project never got the orders needed for a go....
Best,
RM
@Rich Montague posted:Rich,
Very nice work. Unfortunately there’s no ideal solution for fixing pilots on the MTH SD40-2. The body tooling has the wrong step well contour. The factory pilots are quite crude, especially in the steps. After fixing those on a couple of models, I more recently tried repurposing an Atlas SD40 pilot leftover from a conversion, adding a spacer:
Not only is the step well contour wrong, but the dimensions too. Better than nothing I guess. The steps on a more scale pilot won’t align with the body. Too bad the GP40 part isn’t available. I find it frustrating MTH won’t stock two-rail pilot parts. Of course I also find frustrating that the 3rd Rail-Sunset SD40-2 project never got the orders needed for a go....
Best,
RM
Really nice looking work. Perhaps You need to address MTH parts when another “run” of a model whose parts you Want are being manufactured. The should be available then. I don’t have skills or space to do these great pilot conversions. I Have been able to pick up a couple of MTH models with scale pilots though. (Get em when offered - scarce a hens teeth later). Nice though a bit “tall”. I then swapped in “hi-rail” wheels to best navigate Ross turnouts. Nice if u can find. Really though I’ve gravitated to 3rd Rail as they have the fixed pilots I want. Scotts SD40-2 Offering has languished. Give it another look. If I remember, a few more roads are possible. I have 2 MTH 40-2s and when they are Coupled together, they are sooo far apart - looks horrible. Would love to see Scott’s 40-2 offering get traction.
TrainBub
