Scrap box special.

[dcs077]

i decided that even though i have heaps of projects on the go i just needed another one. I have started to build a phase 3 chessie gp40-2. i do not have a 40 shell so i decided to raid the scrap box. the cab and nose is off a wrecked athearn genesis loco as well as the Q fans. the walkway is a chopped and shut kato sd 40-2 and used the long hood off an athearn sd 40-2.... all on a bachmann mech. i have cut the exhaust silencer hatch off an athearn late sd 40-2 DB hatch and drilled it out and fitted the genesis see through grille. may not be accurate, may not have the right number of latches and doors or whatever but i dont care.i fudge sometimes. needed a challenge and wanted to see if i could pull it off also need lots of 40-2s to fill out the roster. this will not be a super detailed build just to "look right". will post pics soon.

[Raeder]

That almost sounds like one of those projects you do just to say you did it. Yeah, you COULD have gone out and picked up a BB GP40-2 off eBay or something, but you built THIS one from a bunch of scrap instead...

I salute your patience!

Kevin

[dcs077]

here is a pic. i still need to attatch the body to the walkway and source a dynamic fan but coming along ok.

[dcs077]

im sorry did i miss something?

[dcs077]

Ah ok..... You know CSX is evil dont you? its the 3 letter mob that killed the cat. My kitty is alive and well as it dodged the csx bullet. my layout is where the 40-2's can roam the rails without fear of the stencil and paint shop and geep 30s live loud and proud rebuilt with 645's all battling together on 2.75% grades.

[diesel]

that is a cool project and very well done. I know what it's like when you need a lot of something to fill out the roster, but that's just too cool!

[deez]

I like it! I'm doing the same thing with some GP35's. Many companys offer them but I would rather make them my way. SD and GP40-2's have the same door arrangements so I would say you're ok. It looks great so far!

[dcs077]

thanks for the comments. it is still quite rough and needs alot of smoothing and blending but it will come out ok. got the dynamic fan on now and i am thinking of trying to replace the crappy bachmann sideframes with some spare athearn ones. i have an idea on how this can work but if i have an epic fail i would like it to be a private one ha ha so i will try it first.still need to sort out handrails as well. will be a while before it sees final paint as i still need to order decals. will post more pics soon.

Dan

[dcs077]

the side frame conversion was sucessful. the first pic is a side by side comparison of the sidframes. i cut the centre pin off the athearn sideframes and used the existing holes on either side of it. used styrene rod as mounting pins and transposed the holes into the side of the bachmann trucks. in the bottom pic you can see that the bottom retaining clip has had the sideframes clipped off it. it all fits together well and is strong enough. the only other thing i had to do was move the mount for the contact strip down to clear the pins. this puts the solder tab behind the sideframe where it is not visible. this was an added bonus.




Dan

[chessie8553]

Dude you rock!

[dcs077]

thanks for the comments. the truck swap made a massive difference with the overall appearance of the unit. started puttying and smoothing today ... organising decals and getting some minor detail parts friday so hopefully will see paint soon. this whole project has not cost me a cent so far very happy with that

[chessie8553]

Jun 17, 2010 7:06:12 GMT -5 @gp9bn1799 said:

Dan ya went and did it i'll have the pics up in a day or 2 started with an n scale gp40-2 and a salvaged sd60 shell the 60's nose with brakewheel,free flow blower, and Q fans are now on the gp40-2 i just need to find a Cat with those features so i can paint it chessie if not drgw or sp

Looks like it'll be a D&RGW unit for you. None of Chessie's GP40-2's had the free flow blower. Of course, there's nothing that says you can't inudlge in a little "moderle's liscense" .

[dcs077]

I have all my detail parts so now i just need to fit them. i was not happy with the right side battery box so i scratch built one. still have handrails to sort but when i get all detail parts on i will post more pics. looking forward to finishing this one as i am keen to start my next project.... a model of gm 50 full cannon scratchbuild. i know its been done before but i want to make one.

[stewarttrains98]

project looks very nice so far. looking toward seeing the finished unit

[dcs077]

nearly ready for paint now. just some smoothing to do. not sure on handrails as i used what i had. i may go all out and order some new ones. that would push the cost of the build over 10 dollars lol.

[dcs077]

in primer now. not happy with some parts will rework before final paint




Dan

[Randy Earle]

Great job on a cheap build.

[m a y o r 79]

Lookin good so far.

[dcs077]

i have had some drama getting decals. i ordered them online and was sent an n scale set. i since have sourced a ho scale set and now the unit is painted and decaled. i still have a few things to do such as window glass and weathering but overall it looks great for what it is. it has an atlas chip in it now with led lights. i used details west lenses which look great when illuminated. so far it has cost me around 15 dollars au so i think it may just be the cheapest loco i have built. once i have weathered it i will post pictures.

[dcs077]

finished now... may do some more weathering. just did a quick job for now. needed in service with the current motive power shortage. turned out good for what it is and now runs as good as an atlas with the tcs chip in it.




Dan