I have a Kato drive GP35. I'd like to add a "Details West casting nose mounted MARS lights" (235-137) to the low hood of the loco. It is factory painted for Rio Grande. I'd like to do the work without too much damage, if any to the existing paint and striping on the nose.
What is the best way of doing this, that is, what tool(s) could be used to create the cut and opening to install the casting? I have 2 of these locos, so I would be doing it twice!
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Careful work with a small file is your best bet. I've done a couple of these, still have another RTR Athearn GP-35 to do. Not sure if the DW comes precored for lights or not. Best to pre-drill the holes in the casting. File carefully so the file only contacts the area you're removing. Stop and check periodically to see if the Mars light fitting fits yet. Once it does, then bond the Mars light square on the nose. Once it's set, then carefully drill through to finish the way for the light to get out.
I had to drill out the weight casting on the Athearn. Don't have any Katos, but figure out how the light will mount behind the lamp assembly.
I used a Microbrush to touch up the paint.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Thanks mlehman. Will try your method. The casting does have the lights pre-drilled part way through.......probably designed for those little conical reflective "lights" some years ago!
-Al
Yeah, those "jewel" things. Got a few around, but LEDs fit now where they did, if you're really crafty
Found a couple of pics, this one with the nose prepped to flat.
This one is done, with the paint touched up.
The match could be better, so when I find some suitable paint I will retouch. Mostly it just blends in well-enough for now.