$7.50

Steps for super detailing MEC 15

or converting to CSRR 15

By James E. Harter Jr.

This is a very logical conversion because Conway Scenic Railroads  #15 was in fact originally Maine Central #15. So what you the modeler are doing is exactly what was done by the railroad. The majority of this conversion is a decaling job although to get it right does take some time and patience. If you are using this for the super detailing of MEC #15 the result will be a much better historical match for the engine as it was delivered to the Maine Central Railroad. In either case, it is a good project for someone with little prior detailing and decaling experience. The result is an engine you will be proud of.

Recommended Parts List:

1. Bachmann Spectrum GE 44 TON DIESEL SWITCHER (MAINE CENTRAL) #15 Item No. 80025. (This decal set, if being used for the CSRR conversion, can be done with some additional steps on Spectrum BOSTON and MAINE #115.)
2. Horns (optional - CSRR conversion only) - Details West – AH-254, AH-253 & AH-131   Air Horn - #235-254*  K3 ALL BELLS FORWARD  1^st horn for hood mount, plus  #235-253* 2nd horn set of three horns two forward and #4 reversed for roof mount. Although other horns will work in these locations, I found it easier to work with a single piece unit like the brass ones from Details West. #235-131 is a “Hancock” type 4700, which was actually an attempt to mimic a steam whistle with pneumatic air on first generation diesels. This unit mounted on hood in font of fireman’s window opposite hood mounted air horn.
3. Radio Antenna – Details West – RA-157  Radio Antenna “Firecracker” type is mounted on roof.
4. Bell (optional - CSRR conversion only) mounts front center of the front hood – Details West –  BE-128  Bell fabricated type #235-128*.
5. Marker Lights (optional – for MEC #15 only) Cal-Scale MARKER LAMPS  #190-280*(1 pair)
6. Jewels (optional – for MEC #15 only)  - PRECISION SCALE Co.  Clear jewels .053”  #585-48291* (12 per envelope)
7. One pair of Kadee #33 couplers (optional) this gives you a coupler with a short (1/4”) center set shank. I found this unit looked the most proto-typical. If longer shank is desired then #37 or #38 are possible substitutes. All three of these options have a small gearbox for small openings.
8. NECR Decal Sheet #002 - The custom artwork used to create the attached decal sheet is for the particular engine(s) specified in item 1 only. **** IMPORTANT – IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT ENGINE THEN YOU WILL NEED A DIFFERENT PACKAGE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC ENGINE ****
9. Paints - Engine Black (flat), Silver, White and Dull Clear coat. A good #1 paintbrush and some paint thinner for cleanup.
10. One bottle of Microscale – MICRO SET (blue label setting solution), or other setting solution.
11. One bottle of Microscale – MICRO SOL (red label setting solution for irregular surfaces), or other decal setting solution, in particular for the areas of the louvers at each end of the two hoods.
12. One bottle of Scalecoat Paint stripper (or similar product) to remove the Maine Central logo or Boston and Maine logo and change the large hood numbers.

 (* Walthers numbers #MMM-PPPPP where MMM is a manufacturers code and PPPPP is a part number)