Wondering if anyone has information about modeling the ubiquitous Santa Fe "Topeka Cab" to modify a high-nose Geep into a GP7U.
This specific mod is being attempted in Z-scale, but the information could be useful for N. I know there have been various iterations of these in N over the years...I personally had a very nice version from Mark4 at one point. There were some very rough resin shells, and probably several others I don't even know about. And in N, with the IMRC GP10's it might not be a stretch to see these as a production model at some point...which may well make this a Z-only (maybe O or S too?) discussion. (Athearn has done these R-T-R in HO)
I have a pretty good article from the June 2009 MR but no drawings or "templates" like they used to include when fabricating cabs. I'm guessing there are dozens of articles on these, and maybe one has plans, dimensions, templates, etc. Also could probably find more info from the ATSF Historical Society. Buying one of the Athearns could also be a source of info. Just thought I'd see if anyone that has "been there done that" might have some direction.
I can likely fabricate something in Z that would satisfy my requirements just using the photos from the MR article and the cabs from some GP38 shells I have sitting around, but what I would prefer to do is put together a file so they can be printed. If I'm gonna do that, I want to get it as "legit" as possible.
There is also the barrier of having to mill down the frames in the AZL GP7's...and that may be a non-starter and this project won't even get off the ground. (or at very least significantly more complicated and delayed) I suppose the GP30 frames might be another possibility. I would really love to not end up with a $500 build budget though. As it stands the Geeps cost $92ea (Black Friday deal, two for $184 taxed/shipped) and if I use the AZL GP38 cab that's another $30 or so. (assuming I can't use the rest of the shell for something else)
