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Post by emd16645 on Jul 30, 2013 3:32:22 GMT -5
Last week I dusted off the Kaslo GP8 shell I've had sitting around and started assembly. My plan for this unit is to paint this unit up for the Katahdin Valley Railroad, which is the fictional road of the model railroad club I belong to. See the link for a brief history of the Katahdin Valley: www.emmrc.freeyellow.com/KatahdinValleyRailroad.htmlExpanding on this history, as the company grew during the late 1980's and 1990's, it began investing heavily into the paper industry, which led to the purchase of a paper mill located along my Eastern Alaska & Yukon Railroad in Alaska. My plan for this engine is to use it as a mill switcher at this paper mill. Beginning of the build: Initial Progress: A little further: The biggest thing I am struggling with right now is the inability to locate a photo showing the top of the long hood. If anyone can point me towards one, that would be greatly appreciated. I will continue to add photos as this build progresses.
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Post by jpwisc on Jul 31, 2013 8:34:09 GMT -5
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Post by emd16645 on Jul 31, 2013 16:39:36 GMT -5
That's pretty decent shot. It will help. What I was really hoping for was one like this, except for the long hood end. www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1219035Below are a couple of photos of a pair of Atlas C424/425s that another club member has painted for the KVR. This GP8 will be painted in a similar scheme.
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 4, 2013 12:04:19 GMT -5
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Post by antlorch on Aug 5, 2013 8:12:08 GMT -5
Chris I am liking this more and more as it comes together. How do you like working with reson shell?
Those fans look pretty good, maybe next time you can use the Cannon fans with the etchings, just a thought.
Keep moving forward and keep us posted as you go..
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 5, 2013 11:38:46 GMT -5
I'm actually finding overall that I really enjoy working with the Kaslo resin products, this is the first time I've worked with them. Makes me more excited for the next several builds I have planned. Drilling the small (#79) holes for all the grabs were challenging at first, but I have a simple drill press for my dremel that does a pretty decent job.
As far as the fan goes, I did consider the cannon fans. I opted for the proto ones since I had them on hand and the cannon parts are a little pricey. However, I'm putting together a parts order for some other projects and my arm has been almost twisted enough to go with the cannon parts ;-)
I plan to keep everyone posted as I continue along, the next few weeks to months are gonna be a bit crazy at home so progress may be slow.
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Post by icghogger on Aug 5, 2013 14:43:21 GMT -5
Nice Work, Chris, I had the same issues with the fan grilles on my build. Yours turned out great!
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 10, 2013 15:09:39 GMT -5
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GP8 Build
Aug 10, 2013 20:18:48 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by antlorch on Aug 10, 2013 20:18:48 GMT -5
Looking good so far. Once you get the Cannon fans done and on and then step back and long at them, your going to tell yourself you made the right choice.
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 11, 2013 6:47:41 GMT -5
Looking good so far. Once you get the Cannon fans done and on and then step back and long at them, your going to tell yourself you made the right choice. I'm sure you are absolutely right on that. The other thing that swayed my decision is that I have a $100 shell that I've put countless hours in, no sense cheaping out on one of the most visible detail parts.
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 17, 2013 17:49:18 GMT -5
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 27, 2013 7:59:37 GMT -5
So not much progress has been made over the past few weeks as I am waiting on a few parts to finish off the shell. So in the mean time, I’ve been putting a bit of thought into the frame. This has led me to a question regarding the fuel tank. Kaslo produced a 1600 gal tank and a 1700 gal tank for the GP-8/10s models. My question is how these tanks look as compared to the basic Proto GP fuel tank. Since I am building a free-lanced model, I’m not concerned on the specific tank capacity, I care more about which one really looks the best. My other concern is that if I was the purchase one of the Kaslo tanks, how many add on detail parts would I also have to get? I’m hoping that one of the group members here who have built one of these models in the past can shed some light on this.
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Post by CP_8530 on Aug 28, 2013 0:05:09 GMT -5
Your build is coming along quite well!
The P2K tanks are 1700 gal, although they have longer passenger tanks on their passenger geeps without bottom air tanks. Depending on the donor unit you have/use for the frame, you might get either. The P2K 1700 gal tanks are ok, although some earlier ones (GP18, some GP9 Ph3) the part is a bit bowed, probably due to taking it out of the mold before it hardened. I find the tanks on the GP7 & GP9 Ph2 are generally better. I've heard most Geeps were built with the 1600 gal ones, although many roads specified smaller sizes.
Not sure on the added parts. The Geep tanks were fairly spartan, except for a round fuel gauge on the sides some RR's had. All the detail (I-beam frame, air lines from air tanks, traction motor cabling) is under/around the skirt area, some leave this off as it's often in shadow/hidden by the skirting.
For a donor chassis, the best would be a P2K GP7 or GP9. I'd avoid the GP18 (at least the early brown box runs) as its coupler mounting is a bit of a PITA to adapt to the Kaslo shell. You'll also have to leave the weight off, or mill it skinnier to fit in the Kaslo shell. Some cutting/milling may be needed at the chassis frame corners, and inside the shell.
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Post by diesel on Aug 28, 2013 0:21:29 GMT -5
that really is looking nice!
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Post by emd16645 on Aug 28, 2013 3:00:24 GMT -5
Dan: Thanks for the info!
Diesel: Thanks, I happy you like it.
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Post by emd16645 on Sept 11, 2013 17:01:08 GMT -5
So after a few weeks with no progress, paint has been applied along with the decals. Here's a few photos. The shell assembly is done, excepting the addition of grab irons and such, and also a set of Cannon fans, which I have completely struck out with getting. Oh well, just will have to wait a bit. hopefully I can get started on the frame/drive assembly soon.
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Post by emd16645 on Oct 18, 2013 4:55:47 GMT -5
So after waiting for over a month to get the Cannon fans, they finally arrived and are now installed. Now progress can be made as I am pretty sure I have all the parts to finish this build. A progress shot from last night is below.
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GP8 Build
Oct 18, 2013 10:04:25 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by acollins on Oct 18, 2013 10:04:25 GMT -5
That looks sweet man. Can you tell me about the hand rails? Just curious how you made them. Thanks.
Alex
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Post by emd16645 on Oct 18, 2013 11:13:58 GMT -5
The handrails are smokey valley stantions (kit #100) with tichy 0.008" wire for the rails.
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Post by icghogger on Oct 19, 2013 8:55:03 GMT -5
Lookin' Good, Chris!!
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