Post by CP_8530 on May 18, 2009 17:48:45 GMT -5
Original intent of this model was to have an economy model of a CP GP9 at a decent cost without extensive "Canadianization" required for one. With that said...
(prototype here: www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208800A/CP%208834.htm)
This unit originally started off as a stock Proto 2000 GP18, acquired used from a hobby shop for $60 (the used Canadian stuff up here is sold at a premium; I picked up some B&O GP7's for $34 each).
Brought it home, took it apart and...
*Chucked the GP18 grilles, replaced with Smokey Valley GP9 conversion parts.
*Chucked the horn for a Min. by Eric that looked like an M3H.
*Chucked the sunshades, still need to fill and paint the holes.
*Replaced a few broken lift rings with custom bent ones.
*Stripped off the old handrail paint and painted the stanchons red, handrail ends white, and nose grabs black as per CP.
*Painted out the frame stripe, still waiting to decal the frame dots.
*Used the Gojo method to strip off the old number and renumbed with some Microscale decals (cab sides, numberboards).
*Custom built the bell assembly using a shaved/modified Juneco bracket and a Details West bell (MbyE assembly too big, Juneco bell too chunky).
*Installed Kadee #23's for close coupling and to avoid the "hot frame".
*Chucked the P2K sideframes and installed Athearn Blomberg B's.
*The prototype had two high-mounted rad fans, so I am only waiting on a lower one to replace the DB.
In addition to the cosmetic changes, I disassembled and cleaned out the drive (previous owner had cats...drive was all furred up!) and rewired, chucking the resistor bundle and adding some 14 volt bulbs with directional wiring. Bendable wire drilled into the long hood replaced some broken tabs that held the shell to the frame. The cracked axle gears were replaced with Athearn parts.
Still a few odds and ends to finish up, but she looks a lot better than when first acquired. If I had to make a 100% accurate one, I'd start with an undec and relocate the fuel filler and bend the distinctive Canadianized handrails, but this unit will be a decent stand-in. I'd say about $20 of parts were used, many were already on hand.
(prototype here: www.mountainrailway.com/Roster%20Archive/CP%208800A/CP%208834.htm)
This unit originally started off as a stock Proto 2000 GP18, acquired used from a hobby shop for $60 (the used Canadian stuff up here is sold at a premium; I picked up some B&O GP7's for $34 each).
Brought it home, took it apart and...
*Chucked the GP18 grilles, replaced with Smokey Valley GP9 conversion parts.
*Chucked the horn for a Min. by Eric that looked like an M3H.
*Chucked the sunshades, still need to fill and paint the holes.
*Replaced a few broken lift rings with custom bent ones.
*Stripped off the old handrail paint and painted the stanchons red, handrail ends white, and nose grabs black as per CP.
*Painted out the frame stripe, still waiting to decal the frame dots.
*Used the Gojo method to strip off the old number and renumbed with some Microscale decals (cab sides, numberboards).
*Custom built the bell assembly using a shaved/modified Juneco bracket and a Details West bell (MbyE assembly too big, Juneco bell too chunky).
*Installed Kadee #23's for close coupling and to avoid the "hot frame".
*Chucked the P2K sideframes and installed Athearn Blomberg B's.
*The prototype had two high-mounted rad fans, so I am only waiting on a lower one to replace the DB.
In addition to the cosmetic changes, I disassembled and cleaned out the drive (previous owner had cats...drive was all furred up!) and rewired, chucking the resistor bundle and adding some 14 volt bulbs with directional wiring. Bendable wire drilled into the long hood replaced some broken tabs that held the shell to the frame. The cracked axle gears were replaced with Athearn parts.
Still a few odds and ends to finish up, but she looks a lot better than when first acquired. If I had to make a 100% accurate one, I'd start with an undec and relocate the fuel filler and bend the distinctive Canadianized handrails, but this unit will be a decent stand-in. I'd say about $20 of parts were used, many were already on hand.
.
