Continue the series on rebuilding a group of 3 Diesel switchers, the two Super-Scale switcher bodies are done and painted.

Finishing up the handrails

The NW-2 body has a different step setup than the SW-1, as it has a lost wax brass casting on the end, with a stack of parts held together with a bolt on each end. Putting the railings on this and the coupler cut bar on took a bit different technique.

I ended up cutting a groove and then widening it with a file for that lever. Soldering it in place. I managed to put one on upside down, but was able to bend things so it’s not obvious.

I soldered everything I could, touching the other joints with super glue. At the end of it all, the NW-2 looked like this:

And the SW-1 looked like this:

Let’s paint

As with the recent boxcab project, I’m having my Orient have an early, pre-war Diesel switcher scheme that is black. For somewhat low-detail models such as these it’s a good idea, and reminiscent of the ATSF and others.

My paint shop is outdoors.

This photo was pretty early in the process. My routine is to use light coats of paint and start with the models upside down. This photo was taken after the first “upright” coat of paint. At least two more light coats followed. Then I set them in a box carefully — but not carefully enough! I scratched a side of the cab of the NW-2, will address that in a few more days.

Before I put them in the box, they looked as below:

I’ve still got the drives to work out. But before that, since I am all set up to make railings, I’m working on railings on a Kemtron GP-7. I’ll likely have more on that soon (including making dummy trucks for that engine), and hope also to get to the drives for these engines soon as well. Oh, and the decals are almost done on the SW-8 that has been a part of this series. Many projects in progress.