More projects will be added as time permits.
The tie crane, tie inserter and scarifier are constructed of styrene stock. The wheels are MDC axles with the tops flatened to fit into the frames.. The trucks in the foreground are Walther's moving trucks with NEW BODIES. The bodies are made from styrene. The yellow truck is a Magnonsen Power Company model modified. It is painted in the Sperry Rail Services scheme. (SRS)
The B18-7 was a upgrade (Dash 7 series) of the Universal U18B. At least it was offered in GE's catalog, back in 1977 as a option.
My model starts with a pair of Atlas B23-7 and B30/ 36-7 shells.
The body consists of:
B23-7 shell = Long hood from Step in hood back.
B30/ 36-7 = Nose, cab and front half of long hood (counting engine doors, 4 ONLY)
B23/ 30 / 36-7 = Sill and walkway and fuel tank.
Mechanism is from a Kato RS 2. The frames had to be modified. The extra side material were the RS's cab is located had to be removed to allow the finished B18 shell to fit.
Assembly........
First, I cut the body to size. The B30/ 36 is cut after the "first four engine doors"
Than cut the B23 shell at the "step or bump" in the long hood.
Add the two halves together.
The sill is first cut, just ahead of the rear jack pads. Save this section. Cut the rest of the sill from the front half. Take your time while doing this. Since this needs to be a nice flush joint.
I used (2) pieces of .060 x .100 x 2" to fit into the open slot under the walkway. This will hold the sill/ walkway permanently together and square. The handrails are than cut between the 4th and 5th tall stantions. Cut excess handrails off the rear section to fit.
Cut the fuel tank is just ahead of the filler and dial. Which should be 3/16th in length. Cut off the air tank on the other half and make a second cut 3/4". The new fuel tank should measure, 15/16ths in length not counting the remaining air tank. A piece of .020 x .040 strip styrene is glued to give the joint strength.
You will need to trim the inside ends to fit the RS frame. The fuel tank, trimmed correctly WILL SNAP into place.
I used the AAR type trucks that came with the RS model since, U18Bs did come with these types of trucks. Other Kato trucks may fit. But, I haven't tried them.
Your B18-7 is now ready for painting....
