rock
Superintendent
Posts: 197
|
Post by rock on Dec 16, 2011 11:03:38 GMT -5
Back in 1987, the SOO line tried out the GP59 model by testing EMD 8, 9, & 10 for use on sprint trains. The SOO stuck with buying SD60s and keeping the former MILW GP40s instead. But what if they went with production GP59s? In my world, they did. I had a "spare" Atlas GP40 laying around and thought this would be a good base for the GP59. Sure, the wheelsets are slightly smaller on the GP40 and the truck centers are 9 inches closer, but the length is the same. Plus, it's hard to beat the Atlas drive for a geep. Then I got hold of a Proto 2000 GP60 undecorated shell and started cutting: Basically, I just cut out one door on each side of the engine area so it has the appropriate doors for a 12-cylinder engine. I also had to cut off the rear of the dynamic brake assembly. On a GP59, this is then moved back and there is an empty gap right behind the cab, which I filled with styrene. Here it is after the white paint. Next up is SOO red, then black.
|
|
kcs1967
Chairman
SWLA-SETX PINE SCENTED
Posts: 1,726
|
Post by kcs1967 on Dec 16, 2011 11:40:32 GMT -5
looks Great Eric
|
|
|
Post by jmlaboda on Dec 16, 2011 17:02:13 GMT -5
That's one handsome locomotive. At one point I had intended to model a few for my freelanced line but the decision to backdate to the late steam era changed those plans. One thing is certain... if I ever choose to look again at modeling my freelanced lines in a more modern era I will be looking at this thread for inspiration.
|
|
rock
Superintendent
Posts: 197
|
Post by rock on Dec 18, 2011 19:36:13 GMT -5
Thanks! Got the decals on today:
|
|
|
Post by icghogger on Dec 19, 2011 9:38:46 GMT -5
Great Work, Eric, keep 'em comin'!!
|
|
jtnrr
Trainmaster
Posts: 127
|
Post by jtnrr on Dec 19, 2011 15:05:20 GMT -5
Fantastic Job! The paint scheme really goes well with the GP59!
|
|
|
Post by OSR_182 on Dec 19, 2011 15:53:50 GMT -5
Wow, you work fast Eric! Looks great, nicely done. Was it hard to fit the Proto 2000 shell to the Atlas mechanism?
Peter.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 7:50:47 GMT -5
Wow, you make that look easy! I was going to try one of these, an NS ex-demonstrator with the rounded face and DB hatch, but gave up halfway through the DB hatch! I feel inspired to try again.
One question, how do you make your cuts? I have tried a razor saw in the past but find it to inaccurate. A hobby knife is good but reqires as much clean-up as the razor saw with files and sandpaper and I cannever seem to get a straight edge. I ahev a motor tool but have refrained from using it on anything plastic so far.
|
|
rock
Superintendent
Posts: 197
|
Post by rock on Dec 20, 2011 9:58:27 GMT -5
Thanks all! I agree that the SOO scheme fits this motor nicely. It was really fun to place that big "SOO" decal on the engine doors - a perfect fit!
The Proto 2000 shell went on fairly easily. I have done this before with GP38-2s and it's a similar process. First you have to cut out the tubes on the side of the shell inside where Proto 2000 has those dumb screws. I file everything down inside the shell so nothing is hanging out. Then you have to mill down the front and rear corners of the frame so the steps fit. I also milled down the area on either side of the cab where metal appears to stick up too far. And that's it!
I made almost all cuts with the X-acto razor saw, but I also have very steady hands, so I didn't have to use a cutting box or anything. I just lightly scratch the surface to get a dig in, then go at it. I also make sure to cut far enough away and leave room to file down a little. The little zig-zag area that I filled in with styrene was done with my hobby knife because it was such a precise cut. I only use my Dremel tool on plastic when I have lots of room for error and have lots of plastic to cut off.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 7:18:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, it is really helpful. I guess I will just have to learn to file down my cuts to a straight edge and go from there.
|
|
chrisk
Probationary Member
Posts: 21
|
Post by chrisk on Dec 24, 2011 1:18:26 GMT -5
This looks sweeet Eric. Nice work!
|
|
rock
Superintendent
Posts: 197
|
Post by rock on Dec 29, 2011 10:06:02 GMT -5
I added the handrails yesterday. The handrails along the long hood are brass from Smokey Valley. The GP59 has only 7 stanchions as opposed to 10 on the GP60, so I couldn't use the plastic set that came with the shell. I did use the plastic handrails on the rest of the motor. Now it's ready for weathering and final assembly, but I have to wait for some more gloss coat to arrive on my doorstep...
|
|
|
Post by iomalley on Dec 29, 2011 11:23:10 GMT -5
That looks awesome! I'm not sure I can get used to the weird stanchion spacing tho...
Can't wait to see the weathering!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2011 17:17:50 GMT -5
Great looking loco coming along nicely there!
Modelmaker51, thanks for the tips, I shall give it a try.
|
|
|
Post by nbrodar on Jan 4, 2012 10:24:50 GMT -5
Very sharp. The Soo paint looks great.
Nick
|
|
|
Post by tamaman on Jan 5, 2012 10:24:37 GMT -5
Nice job.
|
|
|
Post by ranchwagon on Jan 5, 2012 11:37:57 GMT -5
Excellent build!
|
|
rock
Superintendent
Posts: 197
|
Post by rock on Apr 11, 2012 14:04:36 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2012 16:00:01 GMT -5
Love this unit, it is a great build and that Rock Island scheme on the trailing unit.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using ProBoards
|
|
|
Post by railtrax on Apr 23, 2012 0:35:06 GMT -5
;D ;D Hi all. Another Excellent built model. Always love this SOO Line livery. Looks Super on your model. Again Brilliantly weathered as well. Quick Question though. What model is that "ROCK ISLAND" GE diesel coupled behind your SOO GP59 in that superb Italic RI scheme? Thanks
|
|