Detailing a Walthers B40-8

[Anonymous]

Awhile back, I was given a Walthers B40-8 painted in the BNSF Heritage 1 scheme. I've decided that the model isn't detailed anough however, and would like to detail it, I'd also like to repaint it for a different roadname, since it is not accurate as a BNSF B40-8 (headlight is in the wrong spot, paint isnt correct.)

What I'd really like to do is scrap the Walthers shell, and get a Rail Power one, however, Im not sure if Rail Power Shells will fit on Walther's frames. Anyone know if this would work?

If that is not an option, I'll have to strip the paint off the Walthers shell, I've heard that Isopropyl Alcohol works well on some commercial paint jobs, anyone know how it'll do on a Walthers shell?

Lastly, Im not happy with the truck sideframs on this model. I'd like to replace them with different ones, but dont know if that is possible. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

CS

[Anonymous]

If I were working on this project, I'd keep the Walthers shell and make any modifications you wi***o it, rather than going with the Rail Power shell. There are a few things about the Rail Power B40-8 shells that bother me that would keep me from using them. For one, the mold doesn't match up correctly on the hood (on the shells I have) which makes the roof offset to one side. It's just by a little bit, but I'd prefer not to have to file it down. The overall quality of the casting isn't the greatest. The hood door latches and hinges don't look very good to me, certainly not when compared to the Walthers model. Rail Power shells usually suffer from a lack of detail overall, though they usually conform pretty well to the overall look of the prototype.

I think Rail Power Poducts has done a great job filling in the gaps in the HO diesel market. I am pleased with their product line overall. But when another manufacturer produces the same model, I will usually choose it as a starting point over the Rail Power Products equivalent.

As far as stripping paint is concerned, I would stay away from the Isopropyl Alcohol. I haven't found a single instance in which it works. I recall a post a few months ago where someone asked the stripping question, and I threw in my two cents, but I remember several different solutions being offered. In fact, I hope those same suggestions are offered again, beacuse they seemed less hazardous than my method. But I will offer it to you anyway. Just excercise caution, please. I use a disposable foil cake pan and fill it with brake fluid and then soak the shell. Let it soak for a few hours and then agitate the loosened paint with an old toothbrush. You'll have to wa***he brake fluid off with soap and water, but it's fairly easy to clean up. The shell will have a "tack" to it once the paint is removed, so try to avoid handling it until it is painted. You can reuse the brake fluid, but it seems to be less effective as it becomes saturated with paint. When the brake fluid is no longer effective, please dispose of it properly. Some service stations may let you dispose of it.

As far as the truck sideframes are concerned, you may want to try Train Station Products. I have used the Rail Power Products version and I seem to recall another manufacturer, possibly Smokey Valley, but both of those suffered from the same lack of depth problem that the Walthers sideframes have. Train Station Products has at least 3 different versions of these sideframes, so check them out at www.walthers.com.

Also, you may want to check out some of the super-detailing kits put out by Details West. They can really help make a model come to life. Good luck with this project!

RCHarris
Durango, CO

[Anonymous]

Sale it and get a atlas B40-8.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Eric. Forget the walthers model, and get an atlas. It looks alot better, as far the details, and runs very smooth. Either way, good luck !! Pat

[Anonymous]

thanks for the help guys, I would get rid of the Walthers, and get an Atlas model, but I dont have the money for that right now (walther's costs about half of what atlas does) and Im going off to college in a couple months, so I need a project to work on anyway.

CS