box cab nearly done

I have been beavering away on the box cab, and it is now at the point where it can pull trains.  The loco has been detailed and painted, I decided on a nice yellow in the end, one of the Humbrol acrylic spray range.  That coupled with the grey running gear and roof to me shout "Union Pacific", a railway whose bright livery I've always liked, though this one won't be pulling 50 car trains any time soon.

The roof detailing is scrap box plunder.  Hatches are cab doors from a Bachmann Ivatt 4MT, and the vent is off an RAF fire engine and ambulance set that provides me with all manner of bits, the kit itself is hopelessly incomplete so at least some of it is of use.  I did fit the two bulkheads inside, these are plasticard and form a box within the body, further bracing the printed body and providing a convenient place to stick ballast weights.  Handrails were fitted, using some brass wire I keep for such things, I used photos of real box cabs to get a suitable amount of them on.

Once I'd got the bits all glued on I set to and began painting.  This was something I was apprehensive about.  There isn't much on the web about spraying these 3D printings, and I was worried my work was going to be ruined.  In the end all I found was it took more coats of grey primer than usual to achieve a decent result, the manufacturing process leaves the surface slightly porous so you have to spray around four coats on.  I considered using filler primer but it would have obliterated details.  I followed this up with four coats of Humbrol yellow and left it alone. 

One thing new to me was the masking tape I used.  For this model I decided to see what Tamiya masking was like and it is excellent, it doesn't rip the paint back off and leaves a good edge.  Once the masking was removed I brush painted the underframe and roof with some Humbrol enamel (92 for you paint afficionados out there).

Pantograph back on (connected to the SPUD with a gold plated connector, no messing around) and my favourite self adhesive weights inside and it ran perfectly.  I found I over ballasted it causing the thing to run like it was clockwork, though causing the SPUD to get rather hot.  I've removed some weight and all is now well.  Couplings are just standard Kadee number 5's.

Just glazing to do and then I shall have to make some overhead and see if my pantograph works!  I'm now thinking a bogie version of the same would be good.