SP U25B Detailing Project

[supagav]

Hi,

I just wanted to share my latest project as its been a long while since I posted anything I've been up to.

I'm currently in the process of detailing an Aristocraft SP U25B to try and improve the overall realism of this loco. The main problem I have is that because this was one of the very first few models that Aristo ever made, the fidelity to detail is quite rudamentary and nothing compared to the level of their later stuff like the SD45 and the GP40. It is a nice runner and good overall performer, but it is just crying out to have a little bit of attention!

Just for reference, here are a few of the prototype photos that I'm using as a guide:

Thanks for looking!

 

[supagav]

The first thing I did was to hack away all the moulded on detail on the pilot to get it right back to the bare bones so that I could model all the grabs and bars properly. I've added the main grab iron on each end, and then the next step will hopefully be the coupler lift bars and then build up the airhose detail:

 

[supagav]

At the rear end, the SP blanked out number boards in the era I'm modelling so those were quite an easy step as the whole light casting is removable:

Here is a mock up with the bit replaced back in the end piece. (It's still waiting to have the rear headlight LED's installed but I think I'll leave them till I've painted it.)

 

[supagav]

The front nose was missing a small grab iron on the engineer's side so that was a fairly straight forward addition:

 

[supagav]

I had already made a start on the cab a few months back so here is a progress shot showing the addition of the new SP style red emergency brake light on the roof and new LED's installed between the number boards to represent the main headlights:

(Note: the red light here is just a dummy, it's just a small 5mm red MV lense. On the prototype this light was only every used very rarely, under an emergency situation, so most SP modellers make this detail non-operational. All the other lights will be DCC controlled though, in particular the signature SP oscillating signal lights which were mounted in the nose on this particular diesel.)

 

[supagav]

I had also made a start on the nose lights at the same time as the cab, but at the moment they are still looking slightly crude! That will improve with a little more work:

That's all for now but I'll keep you updated as things progress!

 

[Ian Powell]

Gavin, I am following with interest. I have an old SP U25B which I have just converted to battery power. I like the U25B, still reliable. Always a bit reluctant to hack at them( limited skills) but willing to be a convert.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Gavin

I am worried that you are using the wrong images for your lettering.

Try this one

 

[supagav]

Hi,

Quick update... Made a little bit of progress over the weekend. Started work on the truck side frames:

I've taken some of the moulded detail off and re-worked the frame to appear more realistic, reinstating the proper brake cylinder piping with brass wire. It will never be 100% accurate but so long as it appears to be more detailed then that is the main objective!

Also painted the wheels a rust colour so it will show through behind the frames:

 

[supagav]

Also improved the nose lights a little. I gently rounded off the edges of light casing and added some styrene to represent the hinges:

 

[Richie]

Fantastic work Gavin could do with doing this to my Rio Grande one but sadly the Rio Grande never had any might need a complete respray in to a SP Bloody Nose like yours

 

[supagav]

Thanks Richie I know the feeling... I have exactly the same dilemma with my Aristo RS3. It is lettered in the old SP tiger stripe livery but unfortunately the SP only the larger 6 axle RSD 5's and such, but never an RS3. Luckily though the Cotton Belt did so this will make a nice conversion when I finally get round to it...!!! Though that may take some time...

 

[supagav]

Got a little more done today on the pilots, grabs and levers on both ends. Using some spare USA Trains parts as a rough guide I fabricated up some coupler lift bars:

Here they are attached to the end of the loco:

And finally with the Kadee couplers installed back in:

The nice thing about this was that Kadee actually supplied a small blanking plate with this particular conversion kit. It really helps to fill up the big hole in the pilot without having to make up something myself.

 

[supagav]

Also made a start on re-working some of the under body detail. Again this was all pretty crude on the original Aristo model so I just wanted to add a little extra detail to suggest to the eye that all is present and in the correct place without doing every pipe and rivet!

 

[beavercreek]

Continues to look really good Gav. A nice bit of 'dressing-up'

 

[CoggesRailway]

Very nice. Whenever I see a Gav thread i come looking with interest- a premier league modeller!

 

[supagav]

Hi, just a quick update... Added a new three chime horn on the cab end of the long hood and filled the holes where the old ones came out. It was an Ozark white metal casting which is pretty close to the SP original:

 

[supagav]

Made some more progress over the last couple of days. I finally finished up all the pilot detail on both ends now complete with MU hoses, brake hoses and couplers painted:

I also fabricated the speedometer detail on the truck axels. Funnily enough I was able to hack up the old air horns that came with the loco to make the part!

And here it is starting to go back together:

Work is being held up by the fact that I need to get the NCE chip and the Phoenix sound board installed, then I can start to put it all back together. It's nothing too difficult, I just need to find the time!!!

 

[Richie]

Great work Gav Did you make the MU hoses or are they Hartford white metal ones ?

 

[jameshilton]

That is looking really good so far, great work lifting a good base model.