Alaska GP49

[eschildmeier]

I've always loved the way the Alaska GP49s looked, just beastly. I've wanted to build one for a while, and I got a good deal on a Genesis GP50, so I thought I would give it a shot. Though I'm not a rivet counter, I do want to get fairly close to the actual engine. I think it is coming along pretty well.




I scratch built the awnings for behind the cab (you can see them in the foreground in the picture above). I like the look of the cut pilot for the plow, but I decided not to attempt it on this model, and I just attached a similar plow to the existing pilot. I have hit a snag though. I am having trouble locating the roof details. Does anyone know what these are and if anybody makes them in HO scale? Or will I have to scratch build them?

Here is a picture of the prototype I found on rrpicturearchives.net.


Thanks for any help.

[deez]

The exhaust hatch on the GP50 is different. GP49's had the smaller rectangle type. The type you typically see on SD50's & 60's. There is literally a ton of just general differences between the GP50 & 49 not to mention the Alaska rr custom goodies and their home built steps and plows.

[m a y o r 79]

Are you alking about the cab roof?

Starting behind the headlight Im guessing is a sinclair antenna with a cover over it ( I think thats what the big silver thing is), behind that is a fire cracker antenna. The small silver thing over the conductors side is a small sinclair antenna. On the angled portion of the engineers side looks to be somr kind of vent.

Details Associates makes the fire cracker antenna, Details West makes the small sonclair. The other two parts I think youll have to scratch build.

[milw199]

Some shots of a Alaska GP40-2, similar goodies on the cab roof.










The masking tape is still on in this shot.

[eschildmeier]

Thanks guys. I know I have started to see some models coming out with similar cab details, mostly SD70aces and the like. Didn't know if they were readily available. Any ideas on dimensions on that antenna cover?

Milw199, is that first picture the back of the headlights on the roof? Oh, and thanks for the pictures!    

[milw199]

That is the back of the headlights in the first shot. I can't really help with the size of the antenna covers.

[arrphoto]

As a reminder, Hundman Publishing did a book on the Alaska GP49. Shouldn't take too much internet surfing to find one.  Some of the details in the photos here are possibly later adds than when on the Alaska RR.

Curt Fortenberry

[bigjdme]

I have a copy I could scan and email it.

James

[Christian]

Nice work! Lucky you could have some detailed shots! Especially roof shots, they are pretty rare!

Can't wait to see the finish project. Are you going to have LEDs in the upper headlight set?

Chris

[spike]

There was a MR article years ago about the MKT GP39. These had GP49 bodies. The article shows how to kitbash it. Someone posted a thread about it.

[fr8kar]

Other than the high short hood, would the Genesis Southern GP39X work as a better starting point for the MKT GP39-2s in GP49 bodies?

[ironstef70]

Looks like a great start. I like such detailing projects which are unlikely to be sold by retailers due to their specificity.

Stephane

[dak94dav]

Also a fan of the Alaska Railroad and their GP49s. Can't wait to see