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Post by lindsaya99 on Jan 19, 2011 12:00:23 GMT -5
This is an older Athearn blue-box factory painted D&RGW GP40-2 the I working on. I'm building it so that I'll have something to run on friend's layouts. I'm trying to add enough detail so that it doesn't look like right out of the box yet still be durable enough to transport. It is definitely in the cheap build catagory since I probably won't spend more than $50 or $60 bucks on it. (minus a decoder) I know there are a few Rio Grande modelers on here. If you have any advice then please give it to me. Charlie  |
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Post by ranchwagon on Jan 19, 2011 14:57:51 GMT -5
Charlie, that's looking good. This is a good way for beginners to start out and build up skills. Its also encouraging to be able to get something done in a reasonable amount of time. I did a couple like this after getting in over my head by trying too many major changes to a unit.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 16:19:15 GMT -5
Charlie,
Looking great. Reminds me of an article done a number of years back and is in the book "MODELING AND DETAILING DIESELS - VOLUME TWO". The title of the article is "An Operator's D&RGW GP40-2" by David Bontrager. He did exactly what you are doing, although you are doing a bit more than he did.
The results of your project are going to be great and please post photos when you finish. Model projects like this are VERY inspiring.
Brian
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Post by lindsaya99 on Jan 19, 2011 17:09:32 GMT -5
Thanks Brian,
You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly where I got the inspiration for this build. My dad bought me Vol. 1 and 2 for Christmas one year when I was in high school. Since then I have always wanted to build one. I'm going to do a little work on the frame and then it should just be about ready to paint. That will probably have to wait until February since I have training coming up next week.
Charlie
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Post by tree1247 on Jan 20, 2011 12:45:46 GMT -5
Looks good. You have added most everything that should be there. It took me a while, but one missing item stands out. It needs a plow on the front pilot. I generally use a Details West plow. As I recall, a #235-140 is close to the prototype used on GP40-2s. The www.actionroad.net has some good detail close-ups for reference. |
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sgoti
Chairman
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Post by sgoti on Jan 20, 2011 17:48:22 GMT -5
Looks good. You have added most everything that should be there. It took me a while, but one missing item stands out. It needs a plow on the front pilot. I generally use a Details West plow. As I recall, a #235-140 is close to the prototype used on GP40-2s. The www.actionroad.net has some good detail close-ups for reference. The 140 plow is a high plow, similar to SP, UP, WP, Amtrak, and others. DW's #155 is a better (almost dead-on) match. The only other comment I have is that the truck sideframes should be the older Blomberg "B" style, since the Grande's GP40-2 locos rode on trucks from trade-in F units. If you really want to go crazy, change the journal bearings to the older-style square and sloped versions (Detail Associates 2805 and 2806, respectively). One other note: I know the red area on the DB blister is putty, but it sure made me think of burnt paint/primer! |
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Post by diesel on Feb 8, 2011 0:40:33 GMT -5
it does look nice. closing up the pilots will improve the look almost for free if you have scrap styrene around.
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drgwguy
Chairman
Modeling the DRGW in the 70s-80s!!
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Post by drgwguy on Feb 8, 2011 11:39:13 GMT -5
Charlie-
From where I'm standing everything looks good. You mention that it'll be transported occasionally, so the level of detail is up to you; but I'd say that you have done more than enough already. The only major thing to stand out on the layout will be the 'open' pilots.......especially the rear one, as the plow will cover a large section of the front gap. If you don't want to use Smokey Valley brass stanchions, you can use the newer Athearn plastic one-piece handrails. the only other thing that I noticed(that I normally do to 'simple' builds on BBs)is fuel tank details.
I can't wait to see it done.
Rick
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