Model Railroading > Custom KCS SW1500's

Sometimes...projects just take 10 yrs to complete.  Example, 2 Athearn SW1500's that I started 10 yrs ago are now complete.  Since Athearn never did this paint scheme (for some dumb reason) and I always wanted a couple of these switchers.  Details added, painted with TruColor and SC2 paint, and decals are Microscale.  Now they are ready to push and pull cars around a 1995 Era KCS Knoche yard.   Coolers custom made by me from styrene.

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Sweet!

Good job, they look nice!

Rick Bacon
Windsor, CO

Very nice! As you might expect, Atlas recently made 3D coolers that look just like your scratchbuilt ones!

TJY

Really nice.

Jim

Nice job!
Joe

Great work!

Rich

 Top notch locomotives!

Incredible job. Athearn couldn't touch that. Did you wrap the handrails with tape? That's above and beyond.

Wow!

Posted from iPhone

Handrails look great!

Posted from Android

These motors look like they just came over from the paint shop at Mid-America Car!

ATSF90East Wrote:
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> These motors look like they just came over from
> the paint shop at Mid-America Car!

Agreed! My first reply was far too brief. This is some of the best custom painting and decal workmanship I've ever seen. Seriously, these things are absolutely beautiful! 

They look great!

Amazing work. I have a question on how you shoot Tru color paint. I have been using it with limited success.   Do you thin it and if so how much?  What PSI do u shoot it at?

I am not getting that fine mist I seek. I shoot around 26 PSI and have been thinning it with Tru Color thinner about 10%. I use an external mix Paache air brush and my humidity levels are maintained to around 45 in my shop.  Thanks Bruce

Very nice work !

Mike Bannon
St Catharines, ON

Thanks Bruce.   I shot these with two coats of KCS Tru Color paint.   Not sure on the ratio mix, but I threw in some acetone (at least 1/3 thinner to 2/3 paint) to thin it up due to the high humidity here in KC (I shoot my models outside because I don't have a fanned airbrush booth yet).    My airbrush is set around 29PSI I believe.   I should probably buy some actual Tru Color thinner, but acetone works pretty well.   I am still learning to use Tru Color as I typically use Scalecoat 2, but I wanted to see how close this KCS Gray was and Scalecoat 2 doesn't sell it.

brfriedm Wrote:
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> Amazing work. I have a question on how you shoot
> Tru color paint. I have been using it with limited
> success.   Do you thin it and if so how much? 
> What PSI do u shoot it at?
>
> I am not getting that fine mist I seek. I shoot
> around 26 PSI and have been thinning it with Tru
> Color thinner about 10%. I use an external mix
> Paache air brush and my humidity levels are
> maintained to around 45 in my shop.  Thanks Bruce

Thanks!  The handrail tape is actually Microscale MC 4364 decal.   Much easier than painting!  They are a little tricky, but I have figured out how to do them...with a little microsol.

ChrisCampi Wrote:
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> Incredible job. Athearn couldn't touch that. Did
> you wrap the handrails with tape? That's above and
> beyond.

Your work is exceptional.  Thanks for the tips. I think my issue is I am not thinning it enough. I am going to try the 1/3 rule.  Bruce

sp8192 Wrote:
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> Thanks Bruce.   I shot these with two coats of
> KCS Tru Color paint.   Not sure on the ratio
> mix, but I threw in some acetone (at least 1/3
> thinner to 2/3 paint) to thin it up due to the
> high humidity here in KC (I shoot my models
> outside because I don't have a fanned airbrush
> booth yet).    My airbrush is set around 29PSI I
> believe.   I should probably buy some actual Tru
> Color thinner, but acetone works pretty well. 
>  I am still learning to use Tru Color as I
> typically use Scalecoat 2, but I wanted to see how
> close this KCS Gray was and Scalecoat 2 doesn't
> sell it.
>
> brfriedm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Amazing work. I have a question on how you
> shoot
> > Tru color paint. I have been using it with
> limited
> > success.   Do you thin it and if so how
> much? 
> > What PSI do u shoot it at?
> >
> > I am not getting that fine mist I seek. I shoot
> > around 26 PSI and have been thinning it with
> Tru
> > Color thinner about 10%. I use an external mix
> > Paache air brush and my humidity levels are
> > maintained to around 45 in my shop.  Thanks
> Bruce