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Author Topic: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s  (Read 11251 times)

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amato1969

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Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« on: July 09, 2015, 11:58:45 AM »
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I started this project a few months ago but am just now getting this thread cranked up.  Using Life-Like GP20 mechs and Atlas GP9 shells, I am detailing out three units - one GP9 and two GP18s circa mid-70s.  These were late-model units, with 48" pan-top fans, with different grille styles on the -18s (details here: http://www.anthraciterailroads.org/lvrr/lvrr-equipment/diesel-locomotives).

First task is to strip off all the rooftop fans and radiator grilles (the GP9 will keep its plastic grilles).  I used a little Bondo putty to address dings and dents  :)



Closeup of 301 shell (GP9):



Closeup of one of the GP18 bodies:



Next up will be attaching winterization hatches, new fans, and radiator screens...

  Frank

« Last Edit: July 09, 2015, 08:58:52 PM by amato1969 »
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Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2015, 10:37:45 PM »
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Hot!

Gonna do the chop nosed one?
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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2015, 10:24:17 AM »
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Ed, the 304 is on the back burner right now; I have the mech and shell but need to dig in the stash for the aftermarket air filter.

Hell, taking on three at once is gonna slow me down enough  :scared:

  Frank
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Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2015, 01:33:31 PM »
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Also, did you consider using the LL GP18 shells? If so, what ruled them out?
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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2015, 06:14:59 PM »
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Yea the LL 18 shells are accurate and the side sills would work straight up.  But I think the Atlas bodies are just a little "crisper".  We'll see how it shakes out...

I'm really excited to use the new brass BLMA horns on this project tho!
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Iain

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2015, 07:56:16 PM »
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Going to hollow out the new fans and do BLMA see-through fans?
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garethashenden

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2015, 12:31:04 PM »
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How did you remove the grills and fans?
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coosvalley

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2015, 12:54:18 PM »
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Gold Medal Models makes nice GP-18 grilles, and the same set comes with the proper see-through fans, but, personally, the fans don't have enough 3-D to them to look as good as the factory plastic ones...Atlas SD-26 bodies have the correct fans for phase 3 GP-9s...

Here is an example of the GP-18 grilles. B&M GP-18s were built using recycled parts, so they didn't have the newer style fans...


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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2015, 02:53:10 PM »
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@Iain, I'm not using the BLMA fans here; maybe on a future project.

@garethashenden, I used some plain old elbow grease and Xacto blades (#2 fine point and #17 chisel); as you can see by the red putty, there was plenty of collateral damage  :o

@coosvalley, you have set the stage for my next post - fans and intake grills!
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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2015, 01:21:08 PM »
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Here is some progress; fans were harvested from donor SD26 (pan-style) and GP38 (flat top) shells.  I used epoxy to attach the Sunrise winterization hatches and GMM grilles.

LV 301:


LV 302:


LV 305:


Next up are horns and the one-off air filter on the 305.

  Frank
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High Hood

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2015, 03:05:21 PM »
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Can't wait to see how these turn out!
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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2015, 10:30:27 PM »
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I took a detour from the hoods and started on the side frames; the stock sills needed to be chopped to the "late" style, and I also carved off the large louvers from the middle boxes.  I will add the two skinny louvers using Archer surface details...

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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2015, 07:31:07 PM »
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Body shell and cab work is done for 301 and 302; the Sunrise shades were tricky to install right at the base of the cab roof, but the BLMA brass M3R1 horns are sweet! 





Next up I have to work out the rooftop paper air filter for the 305...
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amato1969

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2015, 11:36:28 AM »
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After wrestling with the new Google Photos menus, here's the 305 shell with its funky paper air filter:



Fuel cap work on the side sills is next, and then I should be ready for primer.

  Frank
« Last Edit: October 10, 2015, 08:19:05 AM by amato1969 »
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GaryHinshaw

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Re: Lehigh Valley GP9/18s
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2015, 04:22:15 AM »
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