Picked up a $20 Florida East Coast SW1200 switcher at a local thrift shop and couldn’t pass it up. In this post, I kick off the rebuild project by sharing why I buy used locomotives, what to look for when scouting secondhand models, and my plan to bring this one back to life with DCC, LEDs, and custom upgrades.
Final wiring is done and ditch lights are in! In this phase of the KNR 90 rebuild, I wrap up the electrical work and share a few thoughts for those getting started with model upgrades. A few simple tools, some patience, and a steady hand—that’s all it takes to bring your models to life.
The fun part begins—painting the KNR90. I made a few subtle modifications, experimented with black primer, and dove head-first into learning the quirks of acrylic paint. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress—and sometimes that’s more important.
Learn how I fit a full-size DH187D decoder into a Proto 2000 SW900 switcher. Step-by-step process, resistor tricks, custom parts, and tips for working with LEDs in tight spaces.
Ever wonder what the colors of 55-gallon drums mean? This guide breaks down the real-world color codes and how model railroaders and miniature builders can use them to add realism to their scenes.
As part of the KNR 90 rebuild, I replaced the stock friction-bearing trucks on my Proto 2000 SW900 with 3D printed roller-bearing versions, modeled after AAR Type A trucks. In this post, I share why the change matters, some railroad history behind it, and what it took to get the fit just right.
In this post, I walk through how I removed the factory paint from my Proto 2000 SW900 without damaging the model. It’s a simple method using 91% alcohol, and I share a few things I’ve learned that might make your own projects go a little smoother.
While exploring rail lines on Google Earth, I stumbled across KNR 90, a hidden SW900 switcher that inspired this rebuild. In this post, I start tearing down a Proto 2000 SW900, sharing tips, lessons learned, and the first steps toward transforming it into a modernized KNR 90.
The KNR 90 Rebuild Project is more than just a restoration—it’s about reviving a classic switcher, the EMD SW900, and transforming it into a working piece of model railroading history. Follow along as I strip, rebuild, repaint, and upgrade a Proto 2000 SW900 into Kinston Railroad KNR 90, bringing new life to a locomotive with a story worth telling.
Taking an old Proto 2000 SW900 and turning it into something unique—this rebuild goes beyond a simple repaint. Follow along as I strip it down, add new details, repaint it in KNR 90’s custom livery, and upgrade it with DCC. It’s more than a model—it’s history in miniature, brought back to life.