Tackling the Rapido GMD-1 - Decals and Details

[CanadianRails43]

Here's one of the newer locomotives in my fleet, and my only CN unit for now. My first ever Rapido Trains locomotive (not my first product from them though) is this CN GMD-1. Out of the box, factory painted as CN 1012 with the three axle A1A trucks.




Decals
I am very impressed with the model. However, the number it held was not running smooth with me. It didn't fit my layout era for one, and the decals seemed too dark.
Rapido luckily supplied a sheet of decals with different numbers, model class designations, and other symbols to meet the needs of many modelers who may want to renumber the model to what they desire. The decals are also white, as they should be, which will serve as better replacements for the stock numbers.


In order to remove the factory decals, I had to decide my strategy of getting them off, without damaging the paint or details. I went with a rounded X-acto blade and gently scraped the decals off, only scraping in the downward direction to decrease the chance of removing too much paint.

After the factory decals were removed, (I did leave little remnants of original decal as a guide to placing the new ones) I got the numbers I needed off the decal sheet, taking the 106 from a already set 1060 with the same model class I needed below it, GR-12w. Then I nabbed 3 from the optional 0-9 number list. Applied them, and all finished! Numberboards were also finished after some trial and error.





Details
Now to move onto details. Your probably saying "Braedan, it has enough detail already! Why would you want more?!"
Well my curious modelers… In order to get a model closer to the prototype, you need to go big. Luckily, Rapido supplies a packet of optional prototype details to fit certain units in certain eras. Details such as shorter rad grills, grab irons(factory painted in both red and black), truck-mounted sandboxes, rerailers, steps, and more are in this little packet.


Basically, I only want grab irons for now. I need to add a total of seven grab irons that were on the prototype in my layout era. You can check the links to prototype photos I'm using as references.
CN 1063 - Rear Left view
CN 1063 - Engineer Side view
CN 1063 - Front Right view



Before drilling the holes, I make tiny dimples with a thumbtack to mark where to drill. Once I'm all straight and square, I can begin drilling.


And the final look. Those black grab irons blend in quite well so they are hard to see.



I still have more to do, like add the sandboxes mounted at the front end of the unit. Oddly, these sandboxes are not supplied with the optional details. So I will have to scratchbuild them. I will post most more whenever I get more detailing finished.

[CP_8530]

Nice progress. Those sandboxes probably should have been included, they were on my 1900 (in a separate parts bag, contact Rapido and they can probably send you some replacements).

But a tidbit: if you're modeling 1063 in its final incarnation, the truck-mounted sandboxes had been moved inside of the long and short hoods like on the 1100, 1400 and 1600 series units (with fillers on the rooftops), so no truck-mounted sandboxes would be required. Also over time, some units had the inside sandboxes near the fuel tanks removed, leaving the outside ones by the steps.

[CanadianRails43]

Aug 1, 2015 17:03:25 GMT -5 CP_8530 said:

Nice progress. Those sandboxes probably should have been included, they were on my 1900 (in a separate parts bag, contact Rapido and they can probably send you some replacements).

But a tidbit: if you're modeling 1063 in its final incarnation, the truck-mounted sandboxes had been moved inside of the long and short hoods like on the 1100, 1400 and 1600 series units (with fillers on the rooftops), so no truck-mounted sandboxes would be required. Also over time, some units had the inside sandboxes near the fuel tanks removed, leaving the outside ones by the steps.

Thanks MrDan! Yes, the hood-mounted sandboxes on the later models are what I'm after. I'm thinking I can scratchbuild them with styrene and figure out the rest for the filler caps at the top. I'm doing 1063 in its final years before getting the PRSX tag and shipped for scrap in 2007.

[CanadianRails43]

Here's a new progress update on my GMD-1. Basically finishes all detailing that can be done to this model. There are a few tiny details missed, but they don't really distract one from seeing the near-exact resemblance between the model and prototype. I may weather this puppy later, but I'm done with this one for now.

Here are a couple before shots of 1063.




Now to get on with the program. As I mentioned at the end of the first post, I needed to add the sandboxes that are mounted at the front end of the long hood, at the top edge beside the radiator grids. These sandboxes weren't supplied by Rapido, only the early truck-mount boxes. So I had to break out more of my Evergreen strip styrene and do some scratchbuilding. The filler caps at the top of these boxes had to be present for the whole thing to work. However, I had to get creative since I unfortunately did not list sandbox details in my latest detail parts order.
How creative did I have to get? Well, if taking a Details West K3 horn and chopping the backs off two bells is not considered "creative"… than I don't know what is.


Another part of my progress was adding three decals to this model. Just fire extinguisher symbols was all I needed. One for each cab access door, and the last for one of the compartment doors on the left-front side of the long hood.


Finally, the rear sand filler caps. Again, since I won't be able to get filler caps until I have a new parts order ready, I had to find substitutes. Luckily, I was able to find better matches. This time, being sand filler caps sliced off an old Bachmann UP DDA40X I gutted for parts and DCC decoder. It's demise was due to me downsizing from 22" curves to 18" radius a couple years ago. So it's now just a dust collector. At least it has some use as a parts donor. The caps will work fine, even though they are a little on the bulky side.
Another rear detail I had to add was an extra grab iron, one of the black grabs supplied from Rapido. This one will be mounted on the top of the short hood beside the left rear filler cap.




Final Result
With everything applied and ready for action, here are the photos. Just remember that you can refer to the photo links I provided in the first post. You can also check these additional links to more prototype photos.
CN 1063 - Rear view - In the deadline at CN Walker Yard in Edmonton
PRSX 1063 - Rear Left view - Final life of 1063. Possibly last photo ever taken before getting scrapped in December 2007(approximate date).

[CanadianRails43]

Finishing everything that can be done to this top-quality Rapido model, is a weathering job! And that can now be checked off the bucket list!
Last post, I had mentioned that I was planning to weather this model myself. However, my plans were kicked and replaced by the generosity of another fellow modeler! So I had my GMD-1 shipped to Edmonton to get the weathering finished, with it arriving back in my mailbox a week later, completed!









The fellow who weathered it? His name is Rob Arsenault. A 27-year RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) veteran and a gifted artist! His artistry doesn't stop at the easel, but goes a step further to the models! He gave me a remarkable deal that couldn't be passed up, and gave my GMD-1 a professional job, with prototypical results! The weathering is based off the real CN 1063 as it was in 2006. We were given prototype photos taken at that time to help with the weathering. Rob did a truly stupendous job on it, bringing every detail out perfectly! Huge thanks to Rob!!

The craziest thing about this model, is the possible fact that it's the ONLY model of CN 1063 in the "Red Cab" scheme in Canada, and most likely the world! If it just happens to not be the only, which is highly unlikely, it is still definitely the most accurate. Because these models were released by Rapido only a year ago, with no CN 1063 "Red Cab" models produced (they did do 1063 in the Green/Gold scheme), it supports the belief this is the first and only! Crazy!


Here are the prototype photos shared with us for use as references. Both were taken by Trevor Sokolan, and are being used with permission to accompany the model photos.

[CentralVermontGuy]

Very realistic detailing and weathering on this unit.

You hit the nail on the head with this one!

[iomalley]

Very nice Braedan! You've got me tuning into your weathering!

[tjmfishing]

Aug 24, 2015 8:52:01 GMT -5 iomalley said:

Very nice Braedan! You've got me tuning into your weathering!

Join Facebook already and follow Canadian Railway Modellers.  Rob posts all of his weathering efforts there.  He's one of five Islanders who regularly contribute to that group.

[CanadianRails43]

Aug 24, 2015 15:30:11 GMT -5 tjmfishing said:

Aug 24, 2015 8:52:01 GMT -5 iomalley said:

Very nice Braedan! You've got me tuning into your weathering!

Join Facebook already and follow Canadian Railway Modellers.  Rob posts all of his weathering efforts there.  He's one of five Islanders who regularly contribute to that group.

I'll second that! Canadian Railway Modellers is the go-to place for anyone modeling Canadian railroads and equipment! A great place to share projects plus all things happening around the layout!

[iomalley]

Me no do bookface....

[CP_8530]

Aug 25, 2015 12:15:40 GMT -5 CanadianRails43 said:

Aug 24, 2015 15:30:11 GMT -5 tjmfishing said:

Join Facebook already and follow Canadian Railway Modellers.  Rob posts all of his weathering efforts there.  He's one of five Islanders who regularly contribute to that group.

I'll second that! Canadian Railway Modellers is the go-to place for anyone modeling Canadian railroads and equipment! A great place to share projects plus all things happening around the layout!

Oh well, I guess we can't convince Sean...a pity, he'd fit right in