KCT Alco HH900 #50 Project

Discussion in 'American Locomotive Company (ALCo)' started by Jim James, Jan 16, 2015.

  1. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sure.

    GS
     
  2. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Greg:

    Guess that makes two of us at this point, eh? How many KCT decal sets do you think you'd want?
     
  3. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    I just need one decal set unless I screw one up. Here's the prototype look I'm going for. Old school KCT.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Jim:

    The set that Oddballs made had the diamond herald and yellow stripes.

    For the original scheme as your model will depict, I would suggest an alphabet sheet in the appropriate font/size as is available from the likes of Microscale/etc. Yes, it would have to be decaled one letter at a time, but I've had to letter dozens of engines that way over the decades and it's not too bad if you're careful. Something to consider.
     
  5. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have a few of the old Oddball sets that were for cabooses. Mostly I need the heralds which I am applying to yard structures, but I could also use a couple of engine sets, again with the diamond heralds, so let's say six altogether. I doubt that will set any custom decal maker's cork a'bobbin, but that's about all I will ever use.

    GS
     
  6. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Stuffing all these electronics into this shell is like putting 5 pounds of dirt into a 4 pound hole! I'm still working on it. I've got a fresh idea on how to arrange things. Stay tuned.
     
  7. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Jim, one of the secrets is to cut the wires from the decoder to just the right lengths and solder to the solder pads on that board. Keep everything neat and tight.
     
  8. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Yep. I left them long just to check that everything worked and thought I could wad them up but now I'll shorten them to proper length. Man, that sugar cube speaker sure sounds great and the sound of that old diesel engine is a joy to listen to.
     
  9. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    I finally got all the electronics safely tucked inside this tiny Alco. It's tight but the smooth operation and sound quality made it all worthwhile. Now I will add the truck chains (very cool visual feature in my opinion), lettering and weathering. Here she is shuffling about some passenger cars.
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Looks great, Jim!

    I will probably pre-order mine as soon as I see how prompt the dealer is with an outstanding refund on a broken item I received yesterday once I return it.
     
  11. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Good idea. Factory installed DCC and sound is the way to go. installing decoders can be challenging to say the least.
     
  12. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Fresh decals thanks to a friend. Slight droop at one end (my bad) but I'm leaving it as is, even though I have a spare. They are still wet in this photo but will blend in well later after they settle in the solution and get some Dull Coat. This project was fun and I love the sound of the ancient diesel but I think I'll mainly stick to steamers.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Congratulations, you did it (there goes the Fort Smith layout). You are assigned the coach yard.

    GS
     
  14. Oldguy

    Oldguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Nicely done!
     
  15. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Jim, nice work. I am glad you found the "installation kit" I sent you useful. I will agree, with the Sweet Sound speaker, that Alco engine sounds great.
     
  16. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Thanks fellas! This project required the help from a few forum members so it was truely a group effort and I appreciate the help. Tonight's Dull Coat application makes it look even better but I'm not going to weather this one for a while. I still need to add those truck safety chains but I've been busy as I also finished a Jordan Mack truck kit tonight. Yee Haw!
     
  17. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Hey Jim,
    Thats looks great! That is an interesting looking locomotive, has clean lines. I like what you have done with it.
    Thanks for posting.
     
  18. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Atlas did a very nice job on their HO HH ("High Hood") model. It's a very interesting looking locomotive because of the tall hood (the engine sat on the frame, not in between the frame members) and the radiator next to the cab (the reverse of what eventually became standard - radiator ahead of the engine on switchers, not behind it). I have the Wabash HH model, the HH-660 version.

    My dad's favorite railroad was the Wabash. I remember him taking me down to Forest Park to watch the "Bluebird" and the "Banner Blue" run through the park as they ran from StL Union Station to Delmar Station on their way out of St Louis.

    Ken

    ps - Tom, you ought to get one. Letter it for your short line.
     
  19. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Hi Jim:

    I have a few questions for you about your DCC/Sound installation:

    * Which Tsunami did you use?

    * What speaker did you use?

    * Were the windows glued in place on your factory painted HH?

    Thinking about not waiting for the Tennessee Central "Gold" (factory DCC/Sound) and going with the same model you went with and adding my own DCC/Sound.
     
  20. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    1. TSU-750 ALCO 539T #827012
    2. Keith's sugar cube speaker (outstanding sound)

    3. The windows are glued in place.
     

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