I was rummaging through my ancient purchases and found a perfect condition Kato GP-35 in narrow chevron strip, Action Red livery (used around 1970's AFAIK). It's a DC locomotive. First thought was to add sound but I'm trying to use up the good decoders I have before buying new ones, and the EMD sound decoder I have is older and would be too much of a challenge for that unit in my estimation. But, I found a no-sound DASR decoder that was a drop in solution, fits perfectly and leaves tons of room for all kinds of lighting.
Now to aesthetics and styling... I'm not a rivet counter but I don't want to see any standout differences from the prototype. CP specified substantial modifications to most locomotives that it ordered. Some are not obvious, but many create travesties if they're not done right. I need to relocate the headlights to the short nose, put the bell there instead, and install platform mounted ditch lights.
Since it's been 20 years since I looked at such a project, I wonder if anyone can recommend a best solution for the platform mounted ditch lights? I would prefer warm white LEDs there.
Also opinions on the best way to do the nose and rear headlights. On the Kato, they're integrated with the number boards in the light pipe. I want to use the existing light pipe to light the number boards only, and run the headlights separately.
Also not necessarily asking for advice but comments are welcome on the planned truck (inspection) and cab lights. I decided rear marker lights would be cool, but just carrying it too far. These should all be relatively straightforward. Just some drilling and placement of LEDs.
On the prototype, the main reason the ditch lights are platform mounted, is that the roundish pilots don't leave enough room for lights. I have those pilots in brass casting, easy to place and really "look CP".
Also, this experience will help me with BCR locos, they go really crazy with four headlights on the nose and also ditch lights to boot. I think it's because they encounter a lot of wildlife like moose and deer and really need to see the track ahead in all kinds of weather.
Now to aesthetics and styling... I'm not a rivet counter but I don't want to see any standout differences from the prototype. CP specified substantial modifications to most locomotives that it ordered. Some are not obvious, but many create travesties if they're not done right. I need to relocate the headlights to the short nose, put the bell there instead, and install platform mounted ditch lights.
Since it's been 20 years since I looked at such a project, I wonder if anyone can recommend a best solution for the platform mounted ditch lights? I would prefer warm white LEDs there.
Also opinions on the best way to do the nose and rear headlights. On the Kato, they're integrated with the number boards in the light pipe. I want to use the existing light pipe to light the number boards only, and run the headlights separately.
Also not necessarily asking for advice but comments are welcome on the planned truck (inspection) and cab lights. I decided rear marker lights would be cool, but just carrying it too far. These should all be relatively straightforward. Just some drilling and placement of LEDs.
On the prototype, the main reason the ditch lights are platform mounted, is that the roundish pilots don't leave enough room for lights. I have those pilots in brass casting, easy to place and really "look CP".
Also, this experience will help me with BCR locos, they go really crazy with four headlights on the nose and also ditch lights to boot. I think it's because they encounter a lot of wildlife like moose and deer and really need to see the track ahead in all kinds of weather.
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