Farmrail GP9 Project and Questions

[macjet]

Here is a picture of my next two model projects.

Farmrail 3648 GP9

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=75677

and Farmrail 4079 GP20

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=57384

I have a P2K GP20 which will serve as the platform for 4079. I am looking into P2K GP9's for 3648. What I need to know is what phase of GP9 (I, II, or III) do I need to buy. 3648 originally had dynamic brakes (as seen here http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=78008) but appear to have been removed possibly during a rebuild. I am also seeking detail resources. I have in mind Cannon & Co., Kaslo, Details West, Detail Associates, and I'm browsing through the Walthers catalog now. Chopping the nose is the first major project. I would really prefer to add pre-fab parts here instead of scratch building. I also may have to add or remove louvers, headlights, ditch lights, fans, etc.

I seem to have bought the last four remaining Farmrail diesel decal sets in the country. It has the older names for the locomotives but not the newer ones. The last two engines will be GP38AC's but I'm waiting for Farmrail to repaint them before I start.

I'm not in a rush with these two and plan on doing a fair amount of rivet counting with these. I've been wanting to do these models since I was a kid and I plan on getting it right.

Any and all input appreciated.

 

[MRLdave]

Your GP9 is a phase three.....It has 2 large fans like a GP18. Phase 1 and 2 both have 4 small fans.

 

[UP2CSX]

Early runs of the Life-Like Proto 2000 GP-9's were phase III. They are not in production now but they do show up on e-bay and it would save you a lot of kitbashing work to get the roof right.

 

[macjet]

Thanks MRLdave and Jim. I guess I have another excuse to spend even more time on ebay.

 

[macjet]

Thanks ebay! $50 and it's all done.

Here is the loco that I bought.

 

[UP2CSX]

Glad you found the GP-9 Phase III on e-bay. I do see them show up from time to time. If it says it's DCC ready, don't believe it. I have an SD-9 from the same series and the motor is not isolated from the frame. Make sure you check with an multimeter before you burn up a decoder.

 

[OldGettysk]

Cool looks good and can't go wrong with a Proto !!