Most Ambitious Detailing/Repowering Project

[METRO]

Until reciently I had three Model Power Alco RS-2s that I had detailed and repowered running on my layout. (They have since been replaced with Life-Like P1K RS-2s but I still have em in reserve) Everyone at the LHS looked at me like I was crazy when I bought em. Why on earth would I want to detail trainset models when someone was bound to come out with a good quality model someday?

I started back in 1999 with the Model Power units, my first step was to attack them with a set of x-actos shaving off the molded-on details and cutting out the fan. Then slowly I replaced everything from handrails and grab irons to number boards and the fan housing. I also replaced the motor and flywheels with a some precision Japanese parts.

What eventually got me to buy the P1Ks was that the underbody details still looked lacking and even with new innards, they still were not the best running on my line. Now that I've got the P1Ks I'm not really likely to use the Model Powers much, but I'm still going to keep them around.

So what's everyone elses' ambitious projects and how were your results?
~METRO

[GN-Rick]

I do rather a lot of different things in this area. Not so much repowering, except
for installing a NWSL can motor in my Tenshodo Great Northern M-2 2-6-8-0.
But re-detailing and kitbashing are among my favorite aspects of our hobby.
For example, while attending the 2004 GNRHS convention in Spokane, Wa.,
I purchased a Broadway Limited E-7-A at the convention swap meet. It was
factory detailed and painted as an as-delivered GN E-7 from the first series,
i.e. with "THE GREAT NORTHERN" in script on the nose and small 'cheek'
heralds. Well, I wanted the unit but, 1. This paint scheme only lasted a
couple of months before it was changed to the classic GN E scheme. 2. I
have modelled an accurate 1950 GN 'International' passenger train from
American Heritage Car Co.-(originally Northstar RR Models) which needed
an E-7-A from GN's second order-equipped with large 45 degree number-
boards, which the BLI model didn;t have. So I totally reworked the nose by
installing a new nose door with headlight, (from a Highliner F unit kit), and
since I wanted illuminated #boards, I filled the old small ones and sanded
them smooth, then opened holes in the E-7 shell to take #boards from a Stewart F-7, which I modified by drilling extra holes in the back and replacing
the black plastic insert with clear styrene. When all this was done (plus some
other minor detailing), I repainted the unit in the correct E-7 scheme and
numbered it 510. 510, 511 and 512 were purchased by GN in 1947 specifically
to power the 'Internationals' (510, 511) and the 'Red River" (512). Well, to
conclude this long epistle, I am very pleased with my results. I have a nice
5-car (layout sized) streamliner with a locomotive that is correct and the
entire consist has matching paint. Since my primary modeling interest
is the west end of the GN system, (Everett, Wa and its environs) an
'International' is ideal-a Seattle-Vancouver B.C. train that made 3 trips
a day-(2 trainsets each making 1 1/2 round trips per day) so it can even
be used more than once in an operating session. This is one (long-winded)
example of the types of kitbashing or detailing I do. Hope I'm not putting
you all to

[zzz][zzz]