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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
USA
120 Posts |
 Posted - 05/06/2012 : 5:34:18 PM
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Well everyone I finally finished (or pretty darn close) my first loco kit. It is a MDC shay that I built according to Jeff Johnston's book and I also used all the NWSL upgrades along with installing DCC. I had a lot of first on this kit and learned so much! It was my first completed loco kit, first time ever using an airbrush and first time installing DCC. I can now say I have a very smooth running loco! I still have to add a few more details like decals, wood tender load, weather it and then add super details but I am very happy with what I have now. I'm not sure how to do the decals though.. I don't know if I should get them custom done or where I can get them done or maybe if I should do them myself. Then I have to dull coat the whole thing. Questions, comments, concerns? Here's the pictures.
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adrian_batey
Crew Chief
Australia
672 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2012 : 6:11:25 PM
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Looks very nice. I have one sitting around that i damaged the transfer gearbox on. I still enjoyed the building of the loco even though it doesnt run. Maybe some day i will dig it out again.
I think the painting looks really good. After numbering it will look even better.
Just curious where the front headlight is? |
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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2012 : 6:15:12 PM
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| Thanks! I don't like the front headlight that the kit came with so I am going to buy one from PSC or Durango Press. |
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adrian_batey
Crew Chief
Australia
672 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2012 : 9:28:46 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Cascade Man
Thanks! I don't like the front headlight that the kit came with so I am going to buy one from PSC or Durango Press.
Thats exactly what i thought when i was building mine.
By the way its nice to hear someone getting this to run good. I would have to say there is more of them in scrap boxes then services  |
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k27rgs
Fireman
Australia
4287 Posts |
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BigLars
Fireman
USA
7480 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2012 : 10:17:08 PM
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Very nice finish.
Larry |
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andykins
Fireman
United Kingdom
3951 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 04:12:55 AM
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| yes very nice work, talk about jumping in at the deepend for as you say, alot of frists, i'll pm you about decals. |
"Is it really "rivet counting" if it's regarding NBW castings?"
Unknown |
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Capndick
Engine Wiper
172 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 09:55:32 AM
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It looks really great, I've always wanted to build one of those, but was deterred because I heard they didn't run well.
Maybe I'll re-consider seeing how well yours looks and runs.
Dick |
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wesleybeks
Fireman
South Africa
2254 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 10:15:23 AM
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Id be over the moon to build something of that quality Bryan.
Well done |
Regards
Wes.
Dont leave for tomorrow what you can do today. |
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wvrr
Fireman
5018 Posts |
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dougcoffey1950
Crew Chief
Canada
906 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 11:02:22 AM
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Great job Bryan. The MDC Shay is not an easy beast to build or tame. Fine paint job too.
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Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23277 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 11:03:23 AM
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| Great job, Bryan. I have Jeff Johnston's book and two MDC Shay kits on the shelf - one in HO and one in HOn3. I even have some of the NWSL upgrade 'stuff'. I'm just waiting for the motivation.[:-indifferent] |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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OregonOn30
Crew Chief
USA
551 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:49:12 AM
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Bryan
I agree with Doug, the MDC is not an easy project by any means. Great work! [:-thumbu] |
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Cascade Man
Engine Wiper
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 1:13:40 PM
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| Thanks everyone for the comments!! It was very fun to build, it took 9 months but I am glad I am almost done! Learning how to solder was probably one of the hardest things about this project. I can't wait to get it all detailed and decaled! |
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Coaltrain
Crew Chief
801 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2012 : 6:25:31 PM
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Looks great. I Have built many of the MDC kits when I was in HO but never the shay, you did a really great job.
In the photo your paint looks really flat, looks like Floquil to me. You will for sure need a clear gloss coat on your model before you decal. Normally I clear gloss the entire shell before I add the decals but I have found with steam locomotives the many layers of paint can build up and can effect the running. What I have been doing on steam locomotives is just clear glossing where the decals will be. I apply the clear by making small circles across the area where the decals will go so there is a feather edge where the clear coat stops. I do the same with the flat coat only I carry the flat a little farther out to blend it all. The weathering will hide all the blending.
Just make sure you apply a clear gloss before the decals, don't skip that step, it is the most important one. With some acrylic paint I have skipped the clear coat if it is very smooth. |
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closetguy
Fireman
USA
1321 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2012 : 8:29:55 PM
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most excellent build Bryan
Mike M |
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MDC Shay Kit
