Fantasy Maersk SD70MAC

Finished up a fantasy Maersk SD70MAC. This unit pulled inspiration from BNSF's SDP40F and GP60. The model was painted with Tru Color paints, silver and a custom mixed blue to try and match the factory Kato color, I ended up a bit on the darker side. Decals were provided by MicroScale. Detail painting was done all the way around. The most difficult part of this scheme is the warbonnet curve. I lay masking tape over the decals while they are in the package and trace the curve to cut out.

Enjoy the photos!
Doug

Union Pacific Atlanta Torch Relay Units

I recently finished up this pair of N Scale Kato SD40-2 Snoot nose locomotives painted for the Union Pacific 1996 Atlanta Olympic Torch Relay train. Road numbers are 1896 and 1996.

The pair started out as factory painted UP Armour Yellow units that were stripped and repainted with Tru Color CNW Green and UP Harbor Mist Grey. Decals were provided by MicroScale, and they were a pain to deal with. This was by far the worst set of decals I've ever come across and the sentiment is shared with other painters I know. The lettering worked perfectly as a MicroScale set should, but the multi color patterns on the front and back of the locomotive were a nightmare. They kept cracking and would not settle down into the details. I even tried multiple coats of decal film and Dull Coat to no avail.

The unit also features scratchbuilt sunshades and free standing grab irons. Other than that, the unit has stock details that were painted to help them show.

The units came out much better than I had hoped after dealing with the decals. I'm happy I got to do this set and put them on the resume, but I won't be doing another unless MicroScale reprints the decals or a custom decal supplier creates the artwork.

Enjoy the photos!