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Post by jakeloyst on Dec 27, 2012 17:29:07 GMT -5
A long awaited project, for me anyways, some of these parts have been in boxes for almost 20 years. Life is like that some times. Basically a Front Range GH9 shell, with an Athearn frame, and donated trucks from a switcher. Using the Smokey Valley converstion kit, #46 makes easy work of attaching the smaller trucks to the geep frame. Simply drill out the existing rivet, remove the metal contact pad, add the new metal mount, and push the new rivet thru, and squash the end. The nre trucks will be hard wired, and run up thru the body, to the motor, Still waiting on the DCC sound and decoder, so the power, may be the last part to finish. All of the Athearn frame about the flat chassis must be filed down to fit into the FR walkways. Just starting body work, and will be removing all the louvers, and reinstatting Plano louvers in the correct locations afterwards, that way they will all match. Also being added are the Plano GP9 intake grill screens, and again, waiting on the Plano filters to go in behind    |
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Post by annarborfan on Dec 27, 2012 17:35:36 GMT -5
Looks like a neat project, always liked anything on Flexicoils.
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Post by jakeloyst on Dec 28, 2012 20:14:27 GMT -5
Might have got a bit carried away, cutting down the athern gp9 underframe, to make it match the CN version, with just the small skirt around the fuel filler, and leaving the entire underframe open, except for the new smaller fuel tank. I realized the frame needed to be visable, so well into the night, scratch building a frame to fit inside the FR walkways, show the frame and mounted fuel tank. Working on getting the trucks the right height and centered in place is becoming a challenge. might need more tools, or possible a machine shop to turn out a version of my rough frame.....  |
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Post by iomalley on Dec 28, 2012 20:18:31 GMT -5
I built one almost 20 years ago pretty much the same way. I don't recall what I did with the frame but I think it was milled pretty well the same amount.  |
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Post by jakeloyst on Dec 28, 2012 21:01:31 GMT -5
Very nice looking unit, mine will be in the old green and gold, hopefully I can do as nice a job as you did on yours
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Post by poweredby251 on Dec 29, 2012 23:52:54 GMT -5
I wish I could find some more of those Smokey Valley conversion kits. I have one, with one rivit missing, not a big deal, a rivit is a rivit. These are just the ticket for modeling the Milwaukee RS-3's that got Alco Blunt trucks from retired S-2's. The RS-3's original trucks were used on the GP-30's. The conversion would work best starting with an Athearn drive Stewart or MDC RS-3. I also have a RS-1325 project in mind, but I'm not sure what I will use for the frame/drive yet.
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Post by jakeloyst on Dec 30, 2012 22:54:41 GMT -5
I found an article online about coverting frames, adding the end portion of an Athearn Sw1500, and combining it with a brass frame, or might work, kitbashing it into the gp9 frame for mine, work is progressing on my new underframe. Unfortunately without a milling machine etc, and working in plastic, having a hard time centering the trucks without them being off center. Also not sure how the plastic will hold up, once its powered. I looked online and the Smokey Valley kit isnt listed any more. In the past I have used Juneco flexcoil sideframes, on old Athearn trucks, and after drilling out the trucks, attached them using screws. That might work to attach the SV metal tab
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Post by m636 on Dec 30, 2012 23:29:06 GMT -5
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 1, 2013 21:28:09 GMT -5
Great post, unfortunately I have several Athearn underframes under my FR gp7and 9's and now discovering exactly what happens when things are stored for 15 years. Have had several problems now with the walkway/sill cracking, and the only way to really solve it, was to glue it down to my plastic underframe to give it some strength. Plan B for the next geeps, is to have a basic chassis machined. The fans have all been drilled out, for replacement with Cannon ones, and wasnt happy with the Fr dynamic brake assembly, so using the non-dynamic, with the blisters from an Athearn shell, and new hatch with Cannon fan. Next step is pilot and step treads.. pictures coming as soon as my computor co-operates
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 2, 2013 21:09:35 GMT -5
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 2, 2013 21:11:33 GMT -5
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 2, 2013 21:13:36 GMT -5
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 11, 2013 20:31:21 GMT -5
Work continues, redid the dynamic hatch, added the MBE exhaust, rebuild the housing from a non-dynamic section, and the blisters from an Athearn gp9 ( I think they look better) Had to fill in the section between and then core it out for the Cannon 48" fan. The rad fans have all been replaced with the Cannon 36" and louvres removed and properly placed using plano ones. The chassis became an issue, and am having some machine work done in hopes of having an underframe I am happy with, showing the girder underframe and small fuel tank. Attachments:
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Post by CP_8530 on Jan 13, 2013 1:40:03 GMT -5
That shell is coming along nicely. Have you settled on a particular unit to do? CN's GP9 fleet had quite a bit of variation, with some with Flexicoils, Blomberg B's, swaps back and forth, passenger units (4100's), different fuel tank variations, air tanks mounted underneath vs in the long hood, etc. Not to mention, different paint schemes over the years.  |
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Post by Canadian Atlantic Railway on Jan 13, 2013 8:35:56 GMT -5
Nice work on the milled frames. I wish I had the skills and tools to do that myself.
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 13, 2013 20:21:50 GMT -5
The frame in the photo, is made from evergreen styrene, trying to work out dimensions and looks, I dont really have the tools yet, to do the machining. Hopeing one day. The plastic frame is light, and lacks the strength for a powered unit. Next best step, my sone is in college, with access to a CNC machine. hopefully once he gets the program set up, I can get some made, F's, GP's, I think the frames are similar, just the wheelbase that changes. Its a plan! Now waiting for parts again .
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Post by Canadian Atlantic Railway on Jan 13, 2013 20:55:40 GMT -5
Whoops  Too many threads open at the same time. It is still a nice piece of work. |
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Post by jakeloyst on Jan 14, 2013 20:47:19 GMT -5
Thanks! As soon as I get the missing louvres, and the frame backm hopefully next week, I can add a bit of color. Canadian National green and gold(yellow)..
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Post by jakeloyst on Feb 15, 2013 21:37:47 GMT -5
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Vlad
Road Foreman
Posts: 87
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Post by Vlad on Feb 15, 2013 23:09:51 GMT -5
Did you get the louvers Plano Model Products?
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Too many threads open at the same time. It is still a nice piece of work.
