ML 4000 Kit in DRGW the build process

An excellent thread. Very informative.

Hello All, It's been a while with this, but the real world made my models wait, shame really as I was enjoying it.
 
Still I got a little done over the past week and here it is so far. The nose top has been painted grey, apparantly so the sun does not blind the driver. I have added the black lining between the silver and yellow, and I have started the hand rails. I hope to finish the hand rails in the next day or so. I'll have to wait for adding transfers as I've lost them and had to order some new ones! They'll turn up one day.
 

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I am not envious not in the slightest
 
I never wanted one
 
Doesn't it look smart?

I was going to get some done with G bits as he can do laser cut thin perspex, but I just havent got around to geting it done. trouble is you just cannot guarantee the exact dimensions of every window as it isn't a plastic model using a solid die as a mold, so you would still have to fettle most of them I think, however you could get the round ones done which would save some time cutting them out. For the rest it is far quicker and easier just to cut them by hand and "Araldite Rapid" them in place, carefully wiping any excess off with a cotton bud dipped in meths as this disolves the Araldite, job done.
looking good there Dave, you need to put it next to another loco to give it some sense of scale!!!
cheers
Rob

Steve I was just going to do the windows by hand, 0.5mm clear perspex is easy to cut.
 
Rob I've included a photo at the bottom to give a size comparrison, if the weather was better I'd have done it outside, instead you'll have to make do with a shot on the model room wall.
 
I have added the hand rails, the vertical ones still need their thickening tubing put over them, you will also notice the additional air tank on the roof. The other one and pipe work is to follow tomorrow.
 
enjoy
 

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Thats looking fantastic Dave First class paint job Dave brings out all that detailed work that Rob had put into the mould , can't wait to see it running have got my Rio Grande stock on standby.

A great thread and fine modelling. When Richie came over to Beaver Creek in July he mentioned this thread. The price of the kit is pretty high but if finished to this standard it is a lovely loco and a little bit 'special' as well, not many layouts will have one of these gracing its rails!
Me... I want one.... but better sell a few of me other locos first

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Been a long time again and sorry for that folks railway been taking a bit of a back seat to the rest of life. Still I have done some more now and here is what has been done.
 
1: I finished the additional pipework on the roof coming from the additional air tanks, this incuded making small detail parts for the rear of the loco that the pipes run into.
2: Picking out the  cabwindow frames in the right colours, silver for the sides and black for the fronts.
3: adding the Transfers
4: its currently sat in the garage drying after having a nice coat of satin varnish.
 
On my way to the garage I stopped off in the garden for a couple of shots of how she looks now.
 
all that will be left to do is add the glazing, and add the couplings.
 
These pics show some of the additional detail on the rear + roof that I added.

 
 
 
 
 

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Here are some of the shots in the garden shwoing its splendour.

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One last shot for now just showing it next to an aristo tank wagon just to get the size and scale into perspective.
 
 

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WOW I LOVE IT DAVE What a great job very well built and finished you must be pleased with that Dave

Absolutely Amazing

Absolutely superb

P.S. where did you get the black decals from

That is one neat looking model, you should be proud!

HI dave
I am speechless in admiration. Although it is a kit, it has needed a lot of skill to get it finished to such a high standard. Maybe one day it can visit the BeaverCreek Railroad branch of the Rio Grande as I am sure the controller and the denizens would be chuffed (?) to see it.

Thanks for the comments,
 
Rob- The transfers were supplied by with the kit, included in the price.
 
Mike- Beavercreek is a long way but I do think a journey could be arranged in the future, at least the ML4000 could be among its Livery mates on Beavercrek.
 
Just a quick note I have fitted couplings to the front and back, I added a knuckle coupling to the front and a hook and loop to th back. I did have a few problems doing the couplings as there were no obvious attaching points on the kit.
 
for the front To make sure I did not damage the kit and make sure the coupling would be strong enough I used some brass angle screwed into the inside of the resin and then for extra strength I used epoxy too. A hole was drilled into the angle, this is then where a brass nut and bolt attaches holding the coupling in place.
 
For the rear I had to add an extension to the rear of the kit as there was nowhere to mount a coupling at the right height to pull rolling stock. So I cut som 1.5mm brass sheet, screwed this to the inside of the kit. I then put a piece of brass angle facing inside the loco which with a hole in will then form my point of attachment for a coupling. Its not the best looking bit of workmanship ever as you can see the bolts I used to attah the angle o the sheet but it is strong and will not break no matter what its pulling.
 
Now that both couplings are done its just the last bit of glazing to be done and some makers plates to be added.
 
I'll add photos at a later date but PC problems at this end are not allowing me to put pics on my computer.
 

From some of the photos of the 1:1 versions of these locos that I've seen, they seem to have run in pairs quite often.........................
 
When are you starting the second one Dave?  

Absolutely top job Dave. 
 
When saw the first images of these beasts posted on GSC I though they were really ugly.  Not only have you done a cracking build but you've managed to make yours look pretty too. 
 
Think I want one

Top job Dave, can't wait to see some footage of her working
I have just taken some deposits from people for the next small run of these kits, I expect this will also be the last run. If anyone is thinking of buying one let me know quickly as I am placing the order in the next couple of weeks!
I would also like to thank everyone on here for their comments and support of this very interesting and enjoyable project.
Here's to the next one
Cheers
Rob