Proto 2000 PS-2, my first involved kit build.

[NIevo]

Well I just received a set of 5 NP PS-2 covered hoppers I got off eBay for $35

I didn't realize how much there was to the build on these so I thought I might as well document my first project of this magnitude, might be worth a few laughssign1

Here is what the kit looked like when it was all unpacked on the kitchen table. About 66 pieces in all

And this is why I do this while the wife is gone

Here is step one all completed. The brake cylinder, triple valve, hoses, and retainer valve all glued onto the bolster.

Well thats it for the first night. Only had about a half hour from the mailman getting here to the wife so I had to get the table cleared. I'll try to keep this page updated better then my layout page

 

[CRed]

I see your a fellow NP fan!The first track for the NP were laid just 15-20 miles from where I live so it's only natural that I am a fan.

Looks daunting to me and with my old eyes and shaky hands wouldn't even try to do one of those Proto 2000 kits.I'll stick to the easy ones from Bowser and such.

Good luck with those,I'll have to check up on your progress once in a while.

Chris

 

[NIevo]

I see your a fellow NP fan!The first track for the NP were laid just 15-20 miles from where I live so it's only natural that I am a fan.

Looks daunting to me and with my old eyes and shaky hands wouldn't even try to do one of those Proto 2000 kits.I'll stick to the easy ones from Bowser and such.

Good luck with those,I'll have to check up on your progress once in a while.

Chris

Well my layout is based on the Camas Prairie which was a local shortline first started by a joint venture between Union Pacific and Northern Pacific (and later Burlington Northern) so it allows me to model all three on the same layout:mrgreen:

 

[CRed]

Don't they have a large swing bridge in that area?I swear I saw a brass model of a swing bridge that was modeled after a bridge in that area.I really wish I was able to afford it because theres one just like it here at Grassy Point that the NP and now the BNSF uses.

Cool that you can model the UP,BNSF and their predecessors on the same road.If I modeled the DM&IR Steelton Yard(I'm not using CN on purpose!) I could model UP,BNSF,CN and all it's sub divisions like the DM&IR,IC and WC and even throw in an CSX and NS engine once in a while.

Keep up the good work and post more pictures.

Chris

 

[NIevo]

Don't they have a large swing bridge in that area?I swear I saw a brass model of a swing bridge that was modeled after a bridge in that area.I really wish I was able to afford it because theres one just like it here at Grassy Point that the NP and now the BNSF uses.

Cool that you can model the UP,BNSF and their predecessors on the same road.If I modeled the DM&IR Steelton Yard(I'm not using CN on purpose!) I could model UP,BNSF,CN and all it's sub divisions like the DM&IR,IC and WC and even throw in an CSX and NS engine once in a while.

Keep up the good work and post more pictures.

Chris

Is this the one you are thinking of?

 

[NIevo]

Here are a few other reasons its a great line to model.

http://www.wwvrailway.com/images/CSP_Halfmoon2.jpg
http://www.wwvrailway.com/images/CSPfarmer.jpg
http://www.wwvrailway.com/images/CSPforebay.jpg

Sorry, got alittle carried away.

 

[CRed]

Is this the one you are thinking of?

Yeah I think that's it!The brass model was beautiful,too bad it was so expensive.

Here's a link to the one here...

Grassy Point Railroad Bridge, Duluth, MN


It's not exactly the same,but similar.

Chris

 

[tetters]

Yep. I've built four of those hoppers. They can be a real pain.

 

[nkp174]

The more pieces...the nicer the final model will be. The fewer pieces a manufacturer uses, the more concessions they must make on accuracy.

They will look great!

 

[NIevo]

Well here's a small update. Got the underside of the hopper all done. I didn't glue the trainline to the body yet as its so small and fragile I know I'd break it along the way.

Here is the first end cage done. Added the brake wheel, bell crank and brake step.

Here are the two pieces together.

 

[Glen Haasdyk]

Looks like a challenging build. Reminds me of my first Proto2000 build, the 52' mill gon. I never though that a plactic kit would take that long to build but It sure looks nice when it's finished.

 

[NIevo]

Looks like a challenging build. Reminds me of my first Proto2000 build, the 52' mill gon. I never though that a plactic kit would take that long to build but It sure looks nice when it's finished.

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to the other 4wall1

 

[keqwow]

That looks like a great kit. THe more pieces the merrier ;D

 

[NIevo]

Well I was at a train show for part of yesterday then work, so didn't get alot done, but here are a few updates. I have the brake end all done except for the grab irons, waiting till the end to do those as their so fragile.

 

[NIevo]

Had the last couple days off so I was able to get it finished! I took pictures along the way so there's alittle updating here.

Here I got the trucks and couplers installed. Easiest part of the build

This is showing the top of the hopper completed. All the latches are a great detail but, man are they small!!! I have small hands and I had a hard time dealing with them.

This shows a almost complete car. All thats left are the grab irons.

 

[NIevo]

And here she is, a complete car! Only 5 more to go ( I picked up another SLSF car at the show on Sunday for $6

). A great looking car for $6-$7.

I still have to find the exact color paint to touch up where the sprues were cut.

Here is a almost finished shot of my WP Centerbeam Flat. Got it all together and realized I forgot the weight

wall1 Anyone have some ideas for adding weight other then a load?

 

[nkp174]

Two tips that might help:
Adding weight can be accomplished in several ways...one of which is to just attach it on the underside of the car...only visible when the car is being vertically switched by the 0-5-0. Another is to use a knife to re-open the cavity where the weights were supposed to go...sometimes this is very easy (little glue was used)...and sometimes it is impossible (lots of glue was used. Another tip is to replace the plastic trucks with brass trucks.


If you have any problems with grab irons breaking, they are very easy to scratch build. You just drill a hole the length of the grab iron piece of plastic and then bend brass wire with it. Small brass wire is available from Details West...0.008" scales out to around 3/4" in HO scale.

 

[tetters]

That turned out really well. Good job on the nice clean build.