A pair of TH&B Geeps

[c415rock]

Hi Everyone,

 Here is one of my most recent completed projects. It is a pair of Atlas GP7's taken to the extreme. One is a early GP7 the other is a late model GP7. The big difference between the two is the early model has a shorten cab step area of the long hood on the right hand side, if we were looking down the long hood. One of the other spotting features is the fuel tanks on these units one of the has a flat bottom tank and the other is curved. I took these builds to the extreme by milling down the face of each pilot, milling out the fuel tank area so scratch built styrene fuel tanks could be installed. The air tanks are made from a set of old Athearn air tank ends and brass tubing. The handrails were replace with Smokey Valley Brass stanchions and custom bent .012 wire. to match the prototype. Plus I went off the deep end by, cutting out the steps and installing installing Cannon Photo etch steps. I feel this mad a huge improvement to the units. The other detail parts for these builds come from MBE, Details West, and Details Associates. As always I look forward to hearing everyone's comments.

Erik

First up is the units before modifications to the frame.

Atlas Classic GP7 by WB Route, on Flickr
Atlas Classic GP7 by WB Route, on Flickr
Atlas Classic GP7 by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr
TH&B GP-7 - #73 modified underframe - Atlas HO Scale - Mar-8-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr
TH&B GP-7 - #73 modified underframe - Atlas HO Scale - Mar-8-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr
TH&B GP7 #77 - Pilot - 3-24-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr

TH&B GP7 #77 - Bell - 3-24-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr
TH&B GP7 #77 ATCS shoe - 3-24-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr
TH&B GP7 #77 - Conductors Side - 3-24-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr
TH&B GP7 #77 & #73 Nose to Nose - 3-24-14 - Kris Crawley by dcmkris, on Flickr

[m a y o r 79]

Wow those turned out great.

[jeff323]

WOW! Hard to believe that was a atlas unit you started with.Very nice work.

[tjmfishing]

May 22, 2014 13:01:55 GMT -5 jeff323 said:

WOW! Hard to believe that was a atlas unit you started with.Very nice work.

It was my understanding that the Atlas model was the most dimensionally accurate GP7/9 until the recent release of the Genesis model but I could be wrong...

Great models, I've always had a soft spot for the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo.

[icghogger]

   

(What more can I say?!?)

[jakeloyst]

Both units look great! What paint colors are you using to match the TH&B colors?

[c415rock]

HI Jake,

The Maroon is Model Masters British Crimson Red and the Cream is Tru Color white with a few drops of G&W Yellow mixed to in to match the decals by site.

Erik

[jakeloyst]

thanks. units look great!

[iomalley]

Beauty!

I like using those MBE coupler pockets/footboard too. They're a bit oversized, but make things alot easier for coupler mounting woes.

Good eye on 73's weird 'step to nowhere' on the fireman's side cab!

[santafemikie]

It was my understanding that the Atlas model was the most dimensionally accurate GP7/9 until the recent release of the Genesis model but I could be wrong...

Taylor, You left out something. The Atlas/Kato GP-7's are also the best runners of them all, and yes, I'm including the Genesis. Notice that Mark didn't have to change out the roof fans either. 20 year old shells are still really nice..... Mark, these really look great! The frames are difficult to work. You made them look super.

Mike

[enginseer]

Those are really nice.

I was thinking of making my freelance run a route between Detroit and Toronto.

It's funny how projects like this keep the fire going.