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 Posted - December 10 2011 : 8:04:09 PM
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I know forum members have been waiting with baited breath (or maybe a hint of garlic) for the final assembly of this project, so here goes:
When I last posted, I found that I was a bit zealous in my use of shrink tubing on the LED wires, which resulted in problems fitting the shell back on the lower deck. Well, as I am not a quitter, I remade the two LED wiring assemblies (LED+resistor), but I cut a portion of the front of each LED off, to remove the cone-shaped diffuser, so as to increase the front-oriented light. I resoldered a 470 ohm resistor on each positive wire, but instead of shrink tubing, I used plastic tape, an electrical item found at hardware stores. I reasoned that this was less bulky- and enabled the same or similar insulation/protection as the shrink tubing.
I was right (for a change), as the wiring was now more compact, and allowed the shell to fit onto the lower deck with ease.
Now for the final touches. I made one last electrical check of the LEDs on my test track, then did another wheel cleaning with 400 grit wet/dry paper, as I had previously painted the wheel faces flat black. Then the shell was put in place and it was a done deal!
Here are several images of the Center Cab, now officially GN 469 on long-term lease to it's subsidiary, the Minnesota, Sioux Lake & Western for service yard and short haul freight use.
Here are two views of the front AND rear operating headlights, powered by those LEDs:
The rear lights are visible just above the right top of the box car:
I would like to thank ChrisC for his inspirational article last September (2011), which prompted me to join the TYCO forum and Nelson, for his patient advice.
As I first mentioned, this was a learning project, my first rebuild, and now I feel confident to address a number of other orphans I have adopted from various swap meets and flea markets, and bring some of them back to life or give them many more good years of operability.
But wait, there's more (as Billy Mays used to say)...next Saturday is a gigantic train show and flea market at the Tampa State Fair grounds, so who knows what "Santa" will bring me this year.
Siouxlake/Ron
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Posted - December 10 2011 : 8:07:15 PM
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Great job and looks fabulous!!!!
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Posted - December 10 2011 : 8:14:29 PM
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looks good & still needs a matching caboose 
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Posted - December 10 2011 : 8:14:43 PM
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I meant to write " Liquid Electrical Tape", in a small bottle in black, red, white and green colors. Plastic Dip is the same thing.
Ron
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Posted - December 10 2011 : 8:26:14 PM
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I love the muffler detail and the paint job. Well done. 
-Thomas
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Posted - December 10 2011 : 9:06:29 PM
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I'm with RW on the Muffler! Like the paint scheme too.
Now dirty the little guy up and get some railings on there! 
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
Law of Identification
Edited by - romcat on December 11 2011 12:12:57 PM
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Posted - December 10 2011 : 10:53:14 PM
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That's a great little critter, Ron. If you were going to install handrails I'd only put them on the ends, not along the hood.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - December 11 2011 : 07:33:49 AM
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hi ron,no comments to add,its all been said,love it ken
Edited by - catfordken on December 11 2011 08:05:15 AM
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Posted - December 11 2011 : 09:02:47 AM
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Nice rebuild and customization, very professional looking. I hope to do as well when I attempt a repaint sometime in the future. Thanks for posting your 3-part Series for us to see.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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