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Post by newhavenroad on Sept 1, 2014 11:38:07 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm looking into modeling MMA #23, an ex ATSF GP7u. It seems straight-forward enough, except for the ASTF "Topeka" cab and chop-nose combo which is not offered commercially as far as I know. Has anyone attempted this sort of feat? I'd love any tips, thanks. Cheers.
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Post by newhavenroad on Sept 1, 2014 11:38:35 GMT -5
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Post by emd16645 on Sept 1, 2014 17:33:55 GMT -5
There is a seller on eBay selling resin Topeka cabs, and Athearn will be coming out with them soon.
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Post by lajmdlr on Sept 2, 2014 10:01:43 GMT -5
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dekon
Staff Member
Posts: 634
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Post by dekon on Sept 2, 2014 17:53:43 GMT -5
I believe he is a member on here.
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dekon
Staff Member
Posts: 634
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Post by dekon on Sept 2, 2014 17:59:10 GMT -5
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Post by lajmdlr on Sept 2, 2014 23:47:44 GMT -5
Richard That announcement is over four years old & still no Topeka cab from them. And it's been over a year since Perry Lambert said he was going to get a sample Topeka cab.
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bas
Engineer
Port Nicole RR
Posts: 27
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Post by bas on Sept 4, 2014 12:45:33 GMT -5
You mean something like this? best regards Bas
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Rudy Garbely
Chairman
Modeling Conrail from 1976-1979 in HO scale.
Posts: 1,073
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Post by Rudy Garbely on Sept 4, 2014 13:20:27 GMT -5
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Post by jakeloyst on Sept 4, 2014 20:23:17 GMT -5
I don't have one of the Topeka cabs, but I just received the 2 other version of the Gp cab offered on ebay, with the original round roof line and the more modern angled roofline. Both are excellent, so I would image the Topeka cab would be of the same quality, they are by Big Dawg Originals on ebay
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Post by santafemikie on Sept 8, 2014 20:45:03 GMT -5
The problem with Big Dawg's and the brass unit above is they are wrong for an ATSF "Topeka cab". Many models have been built with Athearn and others cabs with sheet styrene on top. The tops of all four windshield pieces are on the same horizontal plane. While close, the two middle windshields are placed down between the side windows. This also lowers the nose some. The number board housing on a GP-7/9u is spaced into the middle of a deeper than standard housing. These are all neglected on the Big Dawgs pieces. His are also intended to fit on an Atlas chassis. I like that but there was way too much work to make it even close. I've never been able to get measurements on one of these units. Perry promised he would send me the critical measurements but that never happened. I have started a "beta" unit to see if I could come closer than the rest. I've had to quit for on it for now as I have too much else going on. I cut the nose myself paying close attention to the number and location of the nose grabs. Then I installed a Des Plaines windshield insert just above the nose. This leaves the proper space for the taller number board housing which sits flush with the raised roof. The prototype photo is by Robert Carter posted on the ATSF site. i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt353/mtomei51/2027a_zpsc604bbbf.jpgi627.photobucket.com/albums/tt353/mtomei51/DSC04899_zps9fb4c96f.jpgi627.photobucket.com/albums/tt353/mtomei51/DSC04900_zpsa1be3420.jpgThis is where I'm at now, still much to be done. Rudy, if you can get the measurements of the things I described and the distance from the top of the cab to the long hood, I would be very appreciative. Sorry this got so long winded. Mike
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Rudy Garbely
Chairman
Modeling Conrail from 1976-1979 in HO scale.
Posts: 1,073
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Post by Rudy Garbely on Sept 9, 2014 11:54:18 GMT -5
Rudy, if you can get the measurements of the things I described and the distance from the top of the cab to the long hood, I would be very appreciative. Mike Sure can! As soon as they show up..... I'll get a bunch of detail photos and measurements for you.
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Post by santafemikie on Sept 9, 2014 15:09:44 GMT -5
Thanks Rudy, that will be great. I forgot to mention that Plano has mentioned in their in process page that he is working on some pieces to do dynamic blister detailing. It looked like to me he was making a fan blank piece and the plates for the blanked out brake screens. That being the case, I may wait and see if he does. As you can see above, I have already cut out the screens on my GP-9 for the Plano screens and shutters. I was planning on using .010" plastic sheeting for the dynamic brake plates and screen covers.
Mike
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Post by emd16645 on Sept 11, 2014 18:18:06 GMT -5
The four geeps the M&E purchased (21, 23, 100, 79) were reported to be enroute out of Derby Shops today. Not sure if they are going to the Maine Eastern or down to New Jersey at this point.
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Post by PVRR 2647 on Sept 11, 2014 19:36:09 GMT -5
I want to say that there was a how to article on building a couple of these GEEPs, published in the "Beer City Bunch" magazine several years ago.
PVRR2647
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Post by santafemikie on Sept 11, 2014 21:50:33 GMT -5
You would be correct about the BNSF GP-7u article. It was in the June 2009 Model Railroader, page 42. Unfortunately, he also did the Cannon cab method with the windows aligned across the top. He did chop the nose in this article. His detailing looked good also.
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Post by PVRR 2647 on Sept 12, 2014 17:41:49 GMT -5
Mike~ Five years ago! WOW time flies. How about using the C&C cab method but substituting the front window piece with a custom made one from styrene with the correct window alignment? Or cutting the center windows out and lowering them with a filler above? Just spit-balling here.
I always loved these units, especially MCER 2069.
PVRR2647
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Post by santafemikie on Sept 12, 2014 18:57:04 GMT -5
I looked through all of my magazines for the last three years, I couldn't believe it was that far back! I looked it up in the MR magazine search, after I changed the ATSF to BNSF, it showed right up! Nothing wrong with either way you describe that that I know of. I just get tired of folks starting with a clean slate to make parts and be that far off..... I used the Des Plaines windshield insert in my GP-9. I don't know that I mounted it down far enough, next time I'll get it right. I used a P2K for mine, the insert practically slid in!
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Post by cnj1524 on Sept 13, 2014 11:13:51 GMT -5
I would contact athearn about an undecorated unit,they will be out soon painted,but you may wanna ask them when undecorated units will be avalible,athearn still does very limited runs of undecorated units,best bet,I will be looking for 1 or 2 of them as I model the M&E
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Post by emd16645 on Sept 13, 2014 16:31:50 GMT -5
Keep in mind that the M&E only just purchased two GP7u, the other two units are both were built new for the Bangor and Aroostook. They are sitting on the interchange track at Northern Maine Junction, waiting to be picked up by Pan Am as of last night.
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