So a few months ago while on lock down I finished a couple projects I had sitting, a Santa Fe 3460 class Hudson (https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ankenstein-s-monster) and a Southern Pacific GS6 (https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...southern-pacific-gs6). The opportunity to purchase a MTH Premier Santa Fe 2900 class Northern for a low cost presented itself in early May, so I jumped on it. This was a MTH engineering/photo sample for the PS3 version that came out a couple years ago. It came with no boards, no wiring, no motor, no worm shaft, and, importantly, no paint.
So I corrected the missing worm issue (I have a couple spare Premier worm shafts) and had a buddy make up a flywheel. I also installed a nice roller bearing 9434 Pittman motor, which makes more torque than the plain bearing 9434 Pittman usually used in large O gauge steam.
Next on the docket was paint. I decided to go with road number 2903, as I've visited 2903 several times over the years at the Illinois Railway Museum.
All decals were cut on super thin silver vinyl. Goes on with a transfer sheet. I like these decals because there is no film to hide. Apply, clear coat over them, and done. No film to find because there is none. I used the same decals on my Santa Fe Hudson and Southern Pacific GS6 with great results.
So after the paint work was done it was wiring time. I went with a PS3 kit and all LED lighting. Depending on the situation with DCS in the future this may well be my last PS3 install. I modified the sound file by adding the whistle from the Blue Goose/3460 class Hudson, so all my Santa Fe passenger steam locomotives have the same whistle.
With the wiring done I checked for shorts with a multi meter, found none, and reassembled.
Runs pretty darn well, and looks good, for lacking paint and being non-operating when I got it 8 weeks ago.
