GVR GP35/38-3

[catt]

This will be about my GP 35/38-3 rebuilds for my Grande Valley Railway.Since the locos will end up as twins I most likely will only post pics of one of them till the project is done. These are older KATO units.

Any way this is where I am at on loco #1.



The short hood is a ATLAS piece with nose lights,I have filled the handbrake slot because my crews prefer a brake wheel (actually there is no room for the lever assembly.

This will be a rather slow project as I have six other units in various stages of construction/destruction.

The lights between the number boards will be blanked out ,she will get deck mount ditch lights,turbo hatch will be removed as these are deturboed .I have not yet decided on whether or not to go with two stacks (some units have four.

[deez]

Lookin good! Atlas noses are great and an inexpensive conversion. The factory Kato GP35 nose handbrake detail is pretty bad anyways. I'd go for 4 stacks. Like MP units. It's a cool setup.

[catt]

deez,the only problem is I should have ordered 6 of the ATLAS hoods instead of 2.I have 1 more KATO and 4 Athearns to do.Oh well I won't need them for awhile.

I do believe your right on the 4 stacks if I can find them.I plan to remove the 36" center fan and mount the horns in that location. Now all I need to do is find the 8 stacks I will need.

[deez]

Lots of brass Overland stacks on eBay.

[catt]

deez,
I found no Overland stacks on EBay.I did find a lot of Overland detail parts though,so thanks for the idea. ;D

I have a question for you or anybody that knows the answer.How the heck do I remove the non-dynamic hatch on this shell.I have a GP38-2 unit In would rather use if I can.

Oh, and I removed the 36" center fan,still not sure about leaving that fan spacing alone though.

[cf7]

Jul 20, 2012 16:56:17 GMT -5 catt said:

I have a question for you or anybody that knows the answer.How the heck do I remove the non-dynamic hatch on this shell.I have a GP38-2 unit In would rather use if I can.

The hatch just pops off. Grab each side and pull straight up.

[catt]

Chuck, thanks that was a help. If not for some previous owner's fondness for glue I probably would have figured it out myself.

I should have a progress photo up later today.

[railroadjeep]

If it's of any help, the BN and BNSF era GP39 rebuilds the had the 36" fan removed still retained the GP35's fan spacing minus the middle fan. From the railroad's POV, it's easier to cut a plate to cover the hole as opposed to rebuilding the radiator hatch. Just my .02 worth on that though...

[catt]

The current plan for this one is just that.I have removed the 36" fan and filled the hole.I know some of the units have the horns mounted where the 36" fan was and that is the plan for this one.

I am doing two of these units and the second one will most likely get the forward fan moved back. I am considering using the ATLAS 48" button top fans for both but for now the KATO fans will do just fine.I know I will be using the ATLAS GP38 non turbo stacks for both units.For the second unit the horns will mount ahead of the first fan.

[railroadjeep]

Re: the exhaust stacks, I believe Detail Associates 2401 or 2402 should provide the non-turbo exhaust stacks. 2402 is the stack with the mounting flange, which should be what you want...

[catt]

Yep, 2402 is definitely the one.Do you by chance know how many are in a package.Every pic I've found so far is the one Walthers uses and it is of one stack,and I need 8 total.

Thanks for the help.

[railroadjeep]

If memory serves me, it was 2 stacks per package?

[catt]

If memory serves me, it was 2 stacks per package?

That would be just my luck.Oh well they aren't that expensive.

[catt]

A couple update pics for the GP38-3.I will be one happy camper whenever 0catch gets their server problems sorted out.

To the pics ;D What's been done to date starting at the front.

1- Short hood is ATLAS with nose lights.Hand brake slot has been filled loco is getting brake wheel.
2- Cab lights and horn holes filled
3- Non dynamic hatch has been replaced with Athearn GP38-2 unit .I have non-turbo stacks from Detail Associates on order.
4- Center 36" fan has been removed and hole filled,this is where the horns will mount.






I still need to work on the lights (including ditch lights) and handrails,put the rest of the detail parts on, and get the decoder done (loco is not plug and play )

[EDIT] looks like some Cannon grilles need to be on the list too.

[diesel]

nice, what type of ditch lights are you going to use?

[catt]

Ditch lites are a toss up between the Athearn SD70 units I already have and the Rail Flyer parts that I want to use.I think the RF units would look better,but I seem to be having problems getting them.

[catt]

A couple pics of the "other" GP38-3.

Coming,


and going


She needs lights,a horn,and one fan removed.I have not decided if I am just going to remove the 36" fan ,or remove it and move the forward fan back.

[catt]

Down-n-dirty update pics.Still needs lights and some more weathering but it's coming along. ;D

[catt]

Current status of the original reason for this thread.I have relocated the fans to the standard GP38-2 spacing using a Plano fan hatch.Not exactly a perfect fit with the KATO fans but I am a po boy.Loco is still lacking some details but #80 drill bits are needed and there are none to be had in this area.



[Edit 11-13-12] Got some #80 drill bits finally.Now I can add some of the missing detail. ;D That is till I break the 3 bits I bought.