HLCX SD40-2 6219
This HO Bowser SD40-2 was modified slightly from it’s out of the box condition since I model the unit shortly after it became part of the Helm lease fleet.
1. The couplers were removed and an ESU decoder was installed. The front couple was reinstalled with a rust painted Kadee #158. Leave the rear couple off.
2. I removed the derails from the sideframes. This leaves some glue “ridges” which I sanded down.
3. The rear pilot received the most modification. The Canadian style pilot was removed as was the “beam” above the coupler lift bar – clean up pins or holes left by the removal. Removed the handrails from the pilot holes (not the stanchions). Then put a piece of tape horizontally above what would be the dividing line of pilot and above the pilot. I pulled the end of the long hood handrail and the first stanchion from it out of their holes and masked them, then masked the end of the sill at the end of the white stripe. Airbrush the step wells and rear pilot black.
4. While you have the black out I used it on the sideframes where I had done the sanding.
4. I had to touch up the white on the handrails that plug into the rear pilot. The edges of the steps receive white stripes – I used decals.
5. The single class light above each front numberboard was painted with a mix of Apple Barrel Pavement, Apple Barrel Carolina Blue and Craft Essentials Admiral to achieve the correct blue color.
6. I used Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color Black in the inertial air grills, dynamic brake grills and radiator grills.
7. On the front pilot paint the MU hoses and trainline black – with tips silver. Add silver to the tips on the back hoses as well.
8. I used a light spray of earth on the pilots and fuel tank ends and various other below sill areas.
9. I used a flat black on the roof around the exhaust stack with spray on other areas of the roof to represent the exhaust blowing and settling on it.
10. I used a light amount of AIM Dark Gray weathering powder on the walkways.
11. Flat spray on the radiator, DB and inertial grills, walkways, Kadees/trip pin and some on the sideframes and pilots.