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.