CN GP40-2LW Kitbash

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H

highroller

Member
Here is some pics of a CN GP40-2LW project I started a week ago. The basis is an Athearn GP-40-2 shell with a safety cab kit from Smokey Valley (part # 25). I built the inertial fans snowshields from .040 styrene. I will shim the whole body so it sit higher and install the pilot and steps of an Atlas C-23B. More photo will be posted soon.
 
Hi !

Nice project !

Your snowshield don't like to be corect. If i don't make a error it must have the same angle that the cab.

I hope to see more soon :)

THanks !
 


Does CN still run GP40-2LWs? I know that MBTA purchased a bunch of them 12 years ago and rebuilt them to GP40MCs (wide cab, flared radiators that look like they came off a GP40X, lengthened hood to accomodate HEP engine for passenger service)
 
diburning said:
Does CN still run GP40-2LWs? I know that MBTA purchased a bunch of them 12 years ago and rebuilt them to GP40MCs (wide cab, flared radiators that look like they came off a GP40X, lengthened hood to accomodate HEP engine for passenger service)
Click to expand...

Yes they do, but a lot of them have been sold off and are now in service on roads and operations like KCS, Guilford/Pan Am, Huron Central, Quebec Gatineau, Hudson Bay Railway, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours, Yadkin Valley Railroad, Aberdeen, Carolina & Western, and a few into lease fleets like RMPX and WAMX.

CN's fleet of GP40-2Ls once numbered over 250, now there's probably less than 50 left still on CN.
 
ccool said:
Hi !

Nice project !

Your snowshield don't like to be corect. If i don't make a error it must have the same angle that the cab.

I hope to see more soon :)

THanks !
Click to expand...

The snow shields are correct, as mentioned. The standard cab GP38-2's had snow shields at the same angle as the cab.

Very nice work on your model. www.RailflyerModelPrototypes.com has lots of parts for those units that you may be interested in.
 
I tested fit a modified pilot and step taken from an Atlas C30-7 sill. Compared to photo I have of the real loco, its a bit oversize but it look pretty similar to the 2W steps configuration. I'm not a rivet counter so I don't mind if my loco is not 100% accurate and I assume the size difference will be less noticeable with details and paint. I removed the inertial fans snowshields because the walls were to thick for my taste, I will made another set using .020 or .030 styrene. Next step is to build the anti-climbers.
 
I never thought to use a GE pilot and steps for that look... I built similar steps for a couple CP SD40-2s using strip styrene.

Have you checked your coupler heights? I think C30s have higher deck height than an EMD, so the coupler looks very low to me.

Very nice build, I love seeing those CN widecabs!
 


the coupler looks a tad low but that can be fixed.

DSC03074.png


DSC03071.png
 
I made some more modifications to the GE steps and pilot so it can now fit over an Athearn frame and coupler. I noticed the bottom step is way to close to the track compared to the real loco. Not much I can do other than to shorten the height of the pilot by reducing the space on the last step. It won't help much but hey, maybe this is the price to pay using GE part on EMD stuff :D
 
You can get the pilot and steps made for that unit from Railflyer Models. They are made in brass and are very fine and detailed.
 
Thanks for the info about railflyer detail parts. Thats really what I need to get an accurate model. However, I will not invest more money in this current Athearn model. This is my first kitbash and I made too many mistake for my taste so I prefer to build a future GP-40 2W on an Atlas frame and then I will use railflyer parts for accuracy. This model is still a good learning experience.
 
CN GP40-2LW project revisited

A CN fleet is not complete without a GP-40-2LW. I reserved the new Atlas model but since they will start to ship the item only around Feb 2010, I decided to start this project in the meantime after my failed attempt to build an accurate model in March.

I'm still using a blue box GP-40-2 but this time with the help of a scale drawing of the real model and lessons learned from my C44 project I plan to build something looking like the real thing. So far I made some basic modifications e.g. Detail Associates Wide Cab, styrene brake recess, Cannon and Company rear end. Next, I will start to build the steps and anticlimber from scratch using styrene instead of buying the parts.
 
Here is some progress : I made a battery box, a non-dynamic cover, step wells, I enlarged the pilots and I also installed new intertial filter screens. Next, I will add the steps, anticlimbers.
 
SGS your models are really awesome :eek: !! very nice work !!!

Thanks for the motivation but I rather say its a very big challenge since I don't think I can achieve your level of accuracy.

I found out today that by removing the front frame portion my model start to look much better. I built new step well and pilot which I think is more accurate than only enlarging the Athearn pilot.

I think will also shim the shell a little bit so it sit higher on the frame.
 
Funny fact about that loco, in 1998 a major black-out crippled the electric network in quebec and ontario,the power was out for a bit more than 10 days in a very very cold winter,
the mayor had the idea of taking a loco for a electric generator to power an emergency center where people had taken refuge
the loco was lifted then moved on its wheel 1000 feet away from the track and left groove in the street

here is a pic :D

is that whats called street running ?:p
img_3502.jpg
 


highroller, great kitbashing/sratchbuilding/modelling. I realy like what you do and your tutorial. Great stuff!
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iomalley, great loco. What did you use for the cab? Railflyer?
I used to have a Detail Associates Wide Cab, and it was a major pain in the a$# and somewhat lacking in detail. Highroller is doing much better then could ever do, and so are you.


More pics guys!!
 
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