Gary,
Thinking about it, the marker lights are, probably, more scale for O gauge than HO!
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SP AC-1 2-8-8-2 cab forward.
This is by Westside and was made in 1980. It's an unusual version and not seen often.
Will be disassembling it, LED prep, painting and decoder install.
The model is highly detailed including cab detail.
One of the reasons that I purchased it was the whale back tender.
Disassembly.
Normally, I cut a rectangular slot under the front tender's deck but this tender has none and I don't want to 'butcher up' all that detail.
Instead, I drilled 4 holes along the tender's bottom frame and will route the decoder's 8 wires through them (2 wires per hole). With the tender truck so close to the front, any large hole routing 8 wires is going to interfere with truck movement.
Holes for speaker.
Can motor is not large but seems to be a high quality one plus it runs the engine well on the DC test. All those 'end' wires will be getting flexible hoses.
Cab is removable with two screws from the bottom and will make painting the interior easier.
Besides the regular two tender trucks, a functioning booster truck is provided, which will be used.
Something I've never seen. Instead of screw on brake shoes along the driver frames, they provide some cover plates that screws to the driver retaining plates. Separate metal brake shoes have to be attached to these chrome plates. Had to use thin CA to attach them.
Final results. The brake shoes have a slit in them that goes over each tab on the chrome plate.
I'm guessing this is to be the flexible hoses. I'll, probably, need more.
The box had two air hoses so I soldered them to the back of the tender. These are, normally, already attached.
Something that I've never seen modeled. This engine has attachments for hoses from tender to engine.
The marker lights and headlight was drilled out for LED's.
Another item I've never seen modeled, at least not with this procedure. Working equalizers for the drivers. I've got some with wires but his setup rotates between two sets of drivers.
Cleaned in vinegar and dish washing soap and ready to paint.
Parts that won't be painted.
The engine valve gears gave me problems. They soldered them on when they, usually, have removable screws.
Besides the valve gear not coming off, the entire piston assembly and cow catcher deck is all soldered together. Very unusual.
Since I don't want to get paint on the plated valve gear I'm using some mold release that I use when making parts for my RC airplanes. It should come off the valve gear, easily, after all parts are painted.
First coat.
Parts that are baked at 200 degrees for 2 hours.
Parts that are air dried. Masking tape used to protect all electrical contact points.
New delivery.
Saw these Bachmann 'branches' so bought 3 packs. There is 60 in each pack so should make for some nice ground cover along the mainline.