MAC Rail MAC-859 User manual
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
MAC-859
RCL Stand (Large) and
Antenna Kit
Thank you purchasing our MAC-859. This kit brings to your railroad an all-too-common prototype detail
found on Class 1 yard locomotives. These instructions will walk you through the building and installation of
this detail. Each kit contains enough parts to complete (2) locomotive models. To maximize your time, the
RCL stand is painted in aluminum and the RCL antenna box and conduit box are painted primer gray.
Our kits are designed to minimize benchwork time while providing a prototype look. Enjoy the build!
- MAC
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 1 –OPENING YOUR KIT
When opening your kit, you will find the following parts:
(4) RCL Stands (Large)
(5) RCL antenna boxes
(4) Pieces of .015”wire for conduit
(1) Custom decal set
(1) Bag of horse hair bristles for fine scale antenna
(3) Conduit boxes
TOOLS FOR INSTALL:
- Safety glasses
- Glue (CA Gel Type & Canopy glue)
- Hobby Knife / Tweezers / Flush cutter
- Decal Setting Solution
- Sanding stick
- Ruler
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 2 –SANDING RCL STANDS
First task to complete is sanding the tops of your RCL stands smooth. These are very
delicate parts with very thin legs. To make this easier, the foam sheet the legs sit in also
is handy to help holding the part while sanding. Using a sanding stick work across the
surface of the stand until you have smoothness desired.
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 3 –INSTALL RCL STANDS
With RCL stands sanded, next its time to install them. The bottom of legs and edge of
platform that rests on cab have a 45-degree angle. Before gluing test fit to ensure stand
is level. As there are many manufacturers of standard EMD cabs on the market not all
cab angles are the equal. Test fit and if necessary, trim from the bottom of the legs with
a flush cutter.
Once desired placement is satisfactory use canopy glue to secure the stand to the cab.
Using canopy glue is forgiving for this task considering the potential need to adjust
stand after placement. Use a straight edge to ensure stand is level with cab. Now let
the glue dry…..
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 4 –PREPARE RCL ANTENNA BOX
While the glue is drying on your RCL stand, turn your attention to the antenna box.
Using your sanding stick, ensure the 3 small nubs on the bottom of the antenna box are
sanding smooth.
It is easier to install the 0.015 wire conduit to the antenna box on the workbench vs
trying to install it while on locomotive.
One end of the antenna box has a hole for this wire, it is not very deep but just enough
to glue and let it set until dry…..
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 5 –INSTALL RCL ANTENNA BOX
Using canopy glue, apply with a toothpick to bottom of antenna box. Then place box
onto RCL stand. Conduit for both boxes will be facing toward front of locomotive. Let
glue dry…
While the antenna box dries, go ahead, and install the conduit box behind the
headlight. A light sanding on the bottom will be required before install.
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 6 –ROUTE CONDUIT
After the glue dries from installing the antenna box and conduit box, its not time to
route the conduit from antenna box to the conduit box across the cab roof.
For the example model shown on the conductors side I used tweezers to make two
bends in the conduit. On engineers side I only made one bend. Cut the wire to fit up
against the conduit box and secure with glue.
After wire has dried paint with your preferred method. On conductors cab I used black
acrylic paint and a fine brush. On engineer side I used black sharpie marker.
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Copyright 2021 –MAC Rail LLC. Fort Worth, Texas 76244 wwww.macrailproducts.com
STEP 7 –INSTALL ANTENNAS AND DECALS
Included in your kit are quite a few horse hair bristles that are used as the receiver
antennas on the model. Select (4) to use, cut to desired length, and then install.
When installing I found dipping the end in canopy glue then setting into the mount
holes on top of the antenna box.
Last step in the installation process is selecting the Remote Control decals that you
want to use based on wish or prototype. MACRail partnering with Circus City decal
developed this custom set to provide many different lettering/label configurations
found across multiple railroads. Additionally, two neon green RCL signs are included to
make your own signs to place at your yard or industry where the remote units will be in
operation.
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