SD70ACe conversion from 3R to 3RS

They do take a o lot of time....but soooo worth the effort. Looks great Jeff

Great job, Jeff.

I have a stable of diesels that I need to switch over, but only a thimble full of time to do the fabricating. I'll eventually get them done.

There's another way. You buy the two-rail version which already has the scale handrails and fixed pilots and then you buy the hi-rail wheelset.

I actually was on the way to do this. I purchased the Heritage version of the SC-70ace with the 2-rail option with the full intention of buying the 3-rail wheelsets, but when the engine came in I was unhappy about the quality. The sun-visor was broken off and the diamond-plate tread on the running boards was buckling. I tried running it with the scale wheels, but it didn't like going through the Ross switches. The wheels worked fine on the non-switch Ross track.

When the engine came back from MTH, it was actually worse than when it left so I returned it to the train dealer and paid more money and bought the four unit A-B-B-A Norfolk-Southern F3 reincarnation of their business train excursion engine. This engine too had quality problems with paint blistering. I again sent it back to MTH, but this time it came back fixed.

While I'm not in the market right now, I may try this again someday since I really don't like swinging pilots. On my track diameters, I don't need them and they're a distraction.

The problem is none  of these locos are available in 2 rail so we have to convert them. problem solved right there. 

That really looks terrific...great job.

Chris

Jeff,

That looks great.  I have been bitten by the fixed pilot/Kadee bug and can see that I have much work to do.  Thanks for posting!

Dave

It takes a few hours to do each one. However, once you start and finish one, there is no turning back and you'll be looking at your fleet for the next conversion victim... they really look so much better. Take your time and proceed with caution..definitely worth the effort.

Bringing this one back to the forefront for those who may be interested in changing some of their 3-rail engines to fixed pilots, Kadee couplers and full length rails.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=2456351

Here's the real BNSF SD70ACe 9371, are they close(Jeff's and the real one)?

Rick

It's as close as I could get it without the weathering yet... this was actually 9374 and I changed the numbers as I had two of these with the same number. Also added the cab side shades. 

Jeff,

My previous post is not criticizing; I'm a visual person... I usually notice details.

Check out the pilot area... the ditch lights, the hose under the front platform(how it looks and is secured, on the prototype), the coupler...

it's those small details that really count, when it comes to realism.

Rick

Rick, I agree. Those things are next, but I'm currently in the process of altering every loco to the fixed pilots first. Light weathering will also help--  They do make a difference too-

http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=1631057

I found this picture in the same area I found the BNSF ACe; it's shows some of a GEVO's external features... not bad reference picture.

Rick

Looks great Jeff!  Nice work.