Model Forum / General / Railroads / December 2005

I just bought a pair of Kato SD-40's in AC paint, and as expected, there
are a few inaccuracies, the most glaring of which is the headlights.

Headlights on Canadian low hood units are usually mounted in the nose,
and the AC is no exception.  These units have them up high, as per US
practice.  It's a bit annoying that Kato chose to go this route - the
hood is all one piece with the body - rather than make them separately,
and apply the appropriate part at assembly time, but que sera sera.  
You come to expect this sort of thing in N-scale.

So, my question is:

Does anyone make a conversion kit?  Preferably one that doesn't involve
replacing the entire nose, since I've no desire to paint this part, and
probably couldn't match their colors if I tried.  It would be much
simpler to just drill a hole in the existing nose.

Ideally, the number board would be all one piece, since you could file
the original off without much difficulty.  Paint isn't an issue here
since it's all one color - grey.   As it is, the number boards are
inaccurate (too small) and there are no marker lights.  A bell would
have to be part of the kit, since that is where it's located on Canadian
units.

Failing that, has anyone done this mod using fibre-optic strands, and
how did it turn out?  Also, did you make ditchlights using fibre-optics?  
It seems easy enough on this unit, since they are mounted on (not above)
the frame, but I haven't taken the units apart yet, so it's hard to tell
if this is possible.

Speaking of the frame, in the pictures I have, there are a couple of
steel slabs with holes in them which are welded to either side.  Are
these for lifting?  Oh, and, the snow covers over the air intakes.  Does
anyone make these?  There are other issues with these units, but this is
the major stuff.  If I can get them out of the way, I can probably live
with the rest.

TIA

Mac B.