KV-102P

KV-102P

EMD SW8,9,1200 Front Grille Set – $8.95

This set replaces the front grille on the Atlas O-Scale SW8,9,1200 locomotive.  The Atlas screen and plastic frame are bulky but easily removed!  The set requires that the inner material of the shell be removed.  The set consists of 4 parts, shutters, frame base, frame housing and mesh.  The shutters are attached to the inside of the shell and can either be bent perpendicular to the shell for opened shutters or left flat for closed shutters.  If you do not plan on adding the radiator fan (KV-103P) you should keep the shutters closed.  If you do plan on adding the fan then the shutters definitely need to be opened to show off the beautiful fan!  The frame base has two metal guides that are bent inward.  A bending jig is a must for making this bend accurately.  The metal guides will help position the frame base on the shell.  The base can be attached to the shell with CA.  Once the base is attached to the shell the frame housing can be assembled and attached.  Again, the bending jig will help achieve precise bends as the sides have to be bent downward.  Note that the sides have 5 small nubs which line up with the 5 small holes on the frame base that has been installed already.  These nubs and holes help attach the frame housing to the frame base.  Don’t install the frame housing yet though!  Before you attach the housing to the base you need to attach the screen material to the inside of the housing.  A little CA around the edge is perfect for this.  Now you can install the housing!  We find it a little easier to paint the shutters and radiator fan prior to the installation of the housing so that you don’t have to try to blow paint onto those surfaces through the mesh or through the fan.  Just a little helpful hint!