UP #5326 (Ex-DRGW SD45) UP Patch Job

I recently purchased a Walthers Proto 2000 SD45 diesel locomotive decorated for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.  I intend to run this unit on my NWP "Redwood Empire Route" model railroad.  Today, I used Microscale Decals set #MC-4328 (Union Pacific Renumbered EX-SP C&NW D&RGW Diesels 2000+) to patch this DRGW unit.

Left side patch decals applied

I kept the same road number (#5326)for the unit, so that I would not have to worry about changing out the number boards that were already applied at the factory.

Right side patch decals being applied

This patched unit will run number two in a consist with a Kato UP C44-9W unit I already have acquired.  This will be one of several Union Pacific through trains that utilizes trackage rights over the NWP railroad in my version of history.

All patch decals applied (UP shield on nose)

 

Rear of unit (UP patch under number boards)

I am very pleased at how well this project turned out.  It was fairly easy to do and took about an hour or so to complete.  My next decaling project will be to apply UP patch decals to a Kato SP C44-9W.  I will be using decals from the same Microscale Decals set that I used on this DRGW unit.  Decal set #MC-4328 has enough decals to do four locomotive patch jobs.

MOW Vehicle Fleet is Completed

Today, I added all of the decals to my fleet of MOW vehicles that will serve my NWP model railroad.  I have a total of four MOW vehicles that I have decaled for the NWP.  I applied the NWP herald on each door of the vehicles and placed unit numbers on each vehicle as well.  I have two trucks from Trident Miniatures, one SUV from Atlas and one DCC equipped Hi-Rail Maintenance Truck from Bachmann.

NWP Maintenance of Way Vehicles

This week, I spent time working on two of the maintenance of way vehicles that will serve my Northwestern Pacific model railroad.  I purchased an HO scale Ford F-350 Crew Cab Pick-up from Trident Miniatures (Part #90078) and a 1993 Ford Explorer from Atlas (Part #30 000 072).  Both of these vehicles were painted white and came undecorated.

The Ford F-350 came with additional detail parts that I had to apply on my own.  It also came with a detailed interior.  Because of this, I felt that placing a figure seated inside would be a nice touch.  I found an HO scale figure that was in a sitting position.  I repainted the figure so he was wearing blue jeans, an orange safety-type jacket and a yellow hardhat.  I did have to cut off the legs at the figure's knees so that I could get him into the driver seat and underneath the steering wheel.  I also had to file down a small portion of the top of the figure's head so that everything would fit properly.  Another detail I added to the F-350 was a simulated amber flasher on the cab roof.

 

 

 

The Ford Explorer comes assembled in the package.  The exterior details of the vehicle are painted as well.  It even comes with a simulated amber flasher on the roof as well.

The final touch that I added to both vehicles were the NWP railroad herald on both front doors.  I used the older set of decals from Microscale "Northwestern Pacific Diesels (1996 - 1998).  I specifically went with the N Scale set (Part #60-4188) because I felt the HO scale decals would be too large for the vehicle doors.

 

Be aware that this decal set is no longer available from Microscale.  They have recently re-done their decals for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad so #60-4188 is no longer available from Microscale directly.  However, I purchased three sets on e-Bay for a relatively good price.  There are probably some hobby shops out there on the internet as well that may still be selling this decal set.

The third set of decals is already reserved for when I get a Bachmann HI Rail Equipment Truck with Crane.  Of course I will be ordering the all white undecorated version so that I can put the decals on the vehicle doors just like I did for the two Ford vehicles described in this post.

Hey, Father's Day is coming! My wife should be asking me for a wish list pretty soon.

Progress Continues on NWP #5305

Surprise - I have started to work on NWP #5305 once again!  This morning, I added some super detail parts to the front of the chop-nose SD9.  I added the ditch light housing fixtures and MU hoses (3-cluster set) to the front of the pilot.  I also drilled two holes in the nose for the classification lights.  Finally, I glued the base of the "Western Cullen" rotary beacon to the roof of the cab.  I will be painting these features soon and then I will add the handrails and the red base stripe to the unit.