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Last change: 06/15/09
Contains 26 items.
Engineer's side of IAIS 801.  This model was built from a Kaslo M420R shell on a heavily-modified Atlas U23B drive.

Handrails were bent from wire stock, and the stanchions were from the Kaslo kit.  However, I used extra stanchions, doubling them up at each location to give a more prototypical profile.

A warning to anyone building the Kaslo kit:  The handrail templates included in the instructions, while close to HO scale, are slightly too small, making them unusable.
Engineer's side of IAIS 801. This model was built from a Kaslo M420R shell on a heavily-modified Atlas U23B drive.

Handrails were bent from wire stock, and the stanchions were from the Kaslo kit. However, I used extra stanchions, doubling them up at each location to give a more prototypical profile.

A warning to anyone building the Kaslo kit: The handrail templates included in the instructions, while close to HO scale, are slightly too small, making them unusable.
By: Joe Atkinson
Engineer's side fuel tank detailing.
Engineer's side fuel tank detailing.
By: Joe Atkinson
Right-rear truck sideframe details.  The Atlas U23B sideframes were replaced with newer Atlas C420 AAR-B sideframes, which are a direct replacement but with nicer detailing.
Right-rear truck sideframe details. The Atlas U23B sideframes were replaced with newer Atlas C420 AAR-B sideframes, which are a direct replacement but with nicer detailing.
By: Joe Atkinson
Long hood end, showing chipped yellow striping and missing red class light lense on left side, based on prototype photos.  Class lights are MV 0.052" lenses.  Details West #172 step lights were added to each step well and above the front truck on both sides.  The front and rear drop step chains are cut from Detail Associates #2210 safety chain.

I realized when uploading these pics that I'd forgotten to add the headlight and ditch light lenses.  Those will be done tonight so 801 can be placed in service.
Long hood end, showing chipped yellow striping and missing red class light lense on left side, based on prototype photos. Class lights are MV 0.052" lenses. Details West #172 step lights were added to each step well and above the front truck on both sides. The front and rear drop step chains are cut from Detail Associates #2210 safety chain.

I realized when uploading these pics that I'd forgotten to add the headlight and ditch light lenses. Those will be done tonight so 801 can be placed in service.
By: Joe Atkinson
Left rear truck and frame detailing.  A styrene plate was added above the truck, behind the jacking pad, and a Detail Associates #6246 AEI tag was added to the plate.  A similar modification was done above the front right sideframe.
Left rear truck and frame detailing. A styrene plate was added above the truck, behind the jacking pad, and a Detail Associates #6246 AEI tag was added to the plate. A similar modification was done above the front right sideframe.
By: Joe Atkinson
Conductor's side.  Barely visible on top of the fuel tank at the front edge is the spare coupler knuckle bracket.

Because of the unusual spacing on the prototype, the "Iowa Interstate" lettering in the Microscale #551 set had to be cut into individual letters and applied alphabet-style.

The prototype 801 suffered from transition problems, and so was confined to Bluffs yard in Council Bluffs for the last six years of her time on the IAIS.  For that reason, I only lightly weathered the model, with some dust on the trucks from IAIS' white ballast, as well as some mud splashes inboard of each axle and on the pilots and fuel tank ends.  I also added rust at the appropriate locations based on prototype photos.
Conductor's side. Barely visible on top of the fuel tank at the front edge is the spare coupler knuckle bracket.

Because of the unusual spacing on the prototype, the "Iowa Interstate" lettering in the Microscale #551 set had to be cut into individual letters and applied alphabet-style.

The prototype 801 suffered from transition problems, and so was confined to Bluffs yard in Council Bluffs for the last six years of her time on the IAIS. For that reason, I only lightly weathered the model, with some dust on the trucks from IAIS' white ballast, as well as some mud splashes inboard of each axle and on the pilots and fuel tank ends. I also added rust at the appropriate locations based on prototype photos.
By: Joe Atkinson
As on the rear, up front I did my best to replicate the prototype's chipping yellow hazard stripes and overall worn appearance.  The numberboard decals came from the Microscale #87-997 UP SD90MAC set.
As on the rear, up front I did my best to replicate the prototype's chipping yellow hazard stripes and overall worn appearance. The numberboard decals came from the Microscale #87-997 UP SD90MAC set.
By: Joe Atkinson
The red/yellow bands on the long hood were decaled fore and aft of the radiator shutters.  The shutters themselves, though, were painted red.  The yellow trim was done with individual striping on each shutter.
The red/yellow bands on the long hood were decaled fore and aft of the radiator shutters. The shutters themselves, though, were painted red. The yellow trim was done with individual striping on each shutter.
By: Joe Atkinson
The Railmaster speaker is partially visible through the radiator grill, as is the rear headlight tubing.  I dry-brushed the grill itself to simulate paint that was showing through from original owner Providence & Worcester.

The model is equipped with a LokSound #397-7240X decoder loaded with sounds recorded from the prototype IAIS M420Rs.

The dropsteps on the prototype 801 differed from those in the Kaslo kit, so I fabricated them from Cannon #2015 safety tread stock.
The Railmaster speaker is partially visible through the radiator grill, as is the rear headlight tubing. I dry-brushed the grill itself to simulate paint that was showing through from original owner Providence & Worcester.

The model is equipped with a LokSound #397-7240X decoder loaded with sounds recorded from the prototype IAIS M420Rs.

The dropsteps on the prototype 801 differed from those in the Kaslo kit, so I fabricated them from Cannon #2015 safety tread stock.
By: Joe Atkinson
I used oils to represent a light coat of rust on top of the cab and nose.  As with the radiator grill, the faded paint on the Detail Associates #1603 P-5 horn gives away 801's heritage.

After the construction photos were shot, I realized that the prototype's grab iron on top of the nose on the conductor's side had been replaced at some point with a homemade grab, so I did the same.

The Kaslo windshield wipers were replaced with A-Line #29200 wipers.
I used oils to represent a light coat of rust on top of the cab and nose. As with the radiator grill, the faded paint on the Detail Associates #1603 P-5 horn gives away 801's heritage.

After the construction photos were shot, I realized that the prototype's grab iron on top of the nose on the conductor's side had been replaced at some point with a homemade grab, so I did the same.

The Kaslo windshield wipers were replaced with A-Line #29200 wipers.
By: Joe Atkinson
801's roof was pretty plain, so not many changes were necessary.  I added the 12 lift rings, elevated styrene platform between the engine access doors, and the extended-height exhaust stack.

Here's a parts list for this project:
- Kaslo M420R shell
- Kaslo M420R handrail stanchions - second set
- Atlas U23B with AAR-B trucks
- Atlas C420 AAR-B sideframes
- LokSound #397-7240X sound decoder
- Railmaster DS1635-100 16mmx35mm 100 ohm speaker
- A-Line #29200 windshield wipers
- Cannon #2015 safety tread stock
- Detail Associates (DA) #1603 Nathan P-3/5 airhorn kit
- DA #2210 safety chain - black, 40 links/inch
- DA #6246 AEI data tags
- Details West (DW) #139 air filter set
- DW #157 firecracker antenna
- DW #172 engine & caboose step lights
- DW #196 spare knuckle and bracket
- DW #267 air hose w/bracket
- DW #275 Sinclair radio antenna - short
- DW #294 MU hoses
- Kadee #156 extended shank scale head whisker couplers
- Microscale #87-551 IAIS diesels
- Microscale #87-997 UP SD90MACs
- Model Railroader, July 1997 - M420R plans
- MV Products #300 clear 0.052" lenses 
- MV Products #301 red 0.052" lenses 
- MV Products #302 green 0.052" lenses 
- Oddballs #743 IAIS diesels ("Work Safely" decals in stepwells)
- Proto2000 GP38-2 speed record cables
- Proto2000 GP38-2 beacon
801's roof was pretty plain, so not many changes were necessary. I added the 12 lift rings, elevated styrene platform between the engine access doors, and the extended-height exhaust stack.

Here's a parts list for this project:
- Kaslo M420R shell
- Kaslo M420R handrail stanchions - second set
- Atlas U23B with AAR-B trucks
- Atlas C420 AAR-B sideframes
- LokSound #397-7240X sound decoder
- Railmaster DS1635-100 16mmx35mm 100 ohm speaker
- A-Line #29200 windshield wipers
- Cannon #2015 safety tread stock
- Detail Associates (DA) #1603 Nathan P-3/5 airhorn kit
- DA #2210 safety chain - black, 40 links/inch
- DA #6246 AEI data tags
- Details West (DW) #139 air filter set
- DW #157 firecracker antenna
- DW #172 engine & caboose step lights
- DW #196 spare knuckle and bracket
- DW #267 air hose w/bracket
- DW #275 Sinclair radio antenna - short
- DW #294 MU hoses
- Kadee #156 extended shank scale head whisker couplers
- Microscale #87-551 IAIS diesels
- Microscale #87-997 UP SD90MACs
- Model Railroader, July 1997 - M420R plans
- MV Products #300 clear 0.052" lenses
- MV Products #301 red 0.052" lenses
- MV Products #302 green 0.052" lenses
- Oddballs #743 IAIS diesels ("Work Safely" decals in stepwells)
- Proto2000 GP38-2 speed record cables
- Proto2000 GP38-2 beacon
By: Joe Atkinson
1 sub-album and 11 images in this album.
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  Last modified on May 30, 2011 at 09:12.