Yesterday I started a project to bash one of these: http://espee.railfan.net/spgp40p-2.html I started with a GP40-2 shell, this one was kindly given to me by Kiwi Al, and because it's from a Mark 4 conversion it has no nose (cue how does it smell gag ). This was not a problem as I have a spare nose from a GP40 that I cut up. First off I removed the rear radiator, fan section by cutting along the red lines shown below, I saved the fans as I'll need them later. Next I started work on the walkway, at this stage I was just interested in getting it to sit right on the frame. Talking an SD35 walkway I cut off the rear section using the line in the tradplate on the driver's side as my guide. The engineer's side join line is not in the same place and doesn't line up well with regard to stanchion holes. The mechanism I chose is that from the U25 as it's close enough in length, and wheelbase (2mm IIRC) and it's easy to obtain, plus it takes the Atlas GP trucks. In order to get the shell to sit on this frame I had to grind off the small bumps on the sides of the frame that normally press into the shell, and thin the section where the motor sits. Here you can see my test fit shot where I've fitted some GP40-2 trucks and tank: That's it for now, more in a couple of weeks. Simon
Well Mr. Sir Tainly looks like the beginnings of something really good. Keep up the good work and can't wait to see the finished product. SP lives forever!
Don't forget that the back end of the dynamic brake also needs to be removed with the bulge possibly being lengthened using either a second scrap shell or a portion of an SD45 shell... but save that bevel on the bulge because you will need it on the back end of the radiator section, along with an odd shaped triangle of styrene to close up the bottom part. I do hope you succeed... this is a prototype that deserves being remembered, especially so if you plan to use it in commuter service. The GP40P-2 and SDP45 are two of my favorite EMDs, I just wish it were easier to model them!!!
thanks guys. Jerry, yep the rear of the DBs need to be extended, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to remove the ends of them successfully for reuse. I may try this but could end up making new ones out of styrene. I do have plans to do an SDP45 eventually, probably using an SD45T-2 but since my project desk is groaning under things it won't be until later in year, or even next.
Great... now I have to take some photos of my CNJ GP40P project (CNJ had 13 of them, compared to SP having 3, and probably 10 years earlier). You're doing a dash2, so my approach might be more work for you. For CNJ's units, a SD35 was the best, it has the right intake grilles and front roof details. I chopped off the back after the fifth equipment doors, left the radiator grilles (they get shaved off to provide clearance for the new ones). To extend the body, a scrap SD50 contributed a chunk thru the engine compartment (actually any nondynamic shell could be used the same way). Cut to size and flipped 90*, what was the roof became the square rear. I cut off the roof back to the end of the engine doors (actually to the end of the dynamic housing (one door short), and glued a strip of .060" styrene for the new roof, same width as the dynamic housing (the nice thing of using the SD was it has the long housing). All that had to be done was to shave off the extra lengths of grillework for the dynamic. I did my usual cut out and splice in for the (now) single dynamic fan (from a GP40)... if I was to do it again, I'd try shaving off the old fans, sanding smooth and use Ron Bearden's sand off the bottom and glue the replacement in place, though that has it's pitfalls also. I cut out and bevel sanded the grilles from a GP38 and epoxied in place to form the SD45 style radiator intakes. At least I did one side and it is cattywumpus by a few thou (.004"?). After forming the roof taper, I also used epoxy to fill the door's length between the dynamic housing and the radiator grilles, likewise for the blending of the flare at the rear. I cut and spliced the 3 steam generator doors (remember they are about 3" lower than the equipment doors (WHY?)). I also cut and spliced in the rear side # boards from a GP35 shell. Will probably carve out the offending radiator grille and try again, and finish the other side. The radiator fans are really crunched together, the only way is to sand them loose and glue them down. But I _really_ want the wide mounting panel for the fans, and the mounting bolt heads... either a mylar? sheet embossed, or a foil etching... The sill/handrails: I was going to use the SD35 parts, except for the rear steps. I did slice and dice a reasonable clone from the SD50 parts (you tell me when I post the pix). BUT, I want 4 of them, so that means casting. So I finageled 4 SD40T-2 sills and will slice and splice them with whatever. (No way am I going to try to cast a sill!) (the only thing is IM sills don't have diamond plate)(BUT, the price was right, though). As to the rest of the shell: a few lousy undercuts with the dynamics and radiators. I think I have some answers for the undercuts, but don't hold your breath. Bob in IDaho, (hmmmm, this _quick reply_ took me at least an hour... I know I can type 30 wpm with 2 fingers, so where is the 1800 words?... windoze, that is it, I'll blame them, they deserve it (and More).
Bob, good to hear someone else has made one of these interesting locos. looking forward top seeing your photos. I did look at using an SD35 shell as I had one spare, but for the SP ones, the DBs and the hump behind the cab were all wrong and would have required extra work to correct whereas the GP40-2 shell is pretty much dead on. Given that I tend to view my trains from above, less work in this area will mean the finished article will look neater. Simon
Since today is a public holiday here, and as tomorrow I have to start doing 6 hours of commuting (thanks to a job relocation as of 5:30 pm Friday) I thought I'd squeeze in some more of the GP40P-2...but only 5 minutes worth, had quite a busy day: I've now removed the corner pieces at the rear of the DB blister to reuse on the steam generator section of long hood. I've got the body pieces on the way from Atlas to make a second of these, chassis I'll order later, as I want to do one in the bicentennial scheme and one in the later bloody nose scheme with the larger fuel tank. Hopefully more next weekend.
baby steps.... added the sides of the steam generator section. Not really happy with it but I'm not sure I'd do any better on a second try so I'll leave them for now. I did give them a quick primer coat to show the imperfections (lots of) them sanded them smooth, hence the grey residue.
After trying to test fit the rear steps I realised I had made the styrene extensions to scale size (by guessing based on photos) and with the chassis being 2mm short they looked overly long. I therefore shortened them by about 1mm so they will still be a bit long, but it shouldn't look as noticeable. Today's progress has been to add the rear section, the small squares on the DBs, the chamfered block on the cab roof, and make the "L" window.
