After a long time, finally my D&RGW 3127 GP40-2 is finished! All started with an undecorated AZL GP38-2 Features: - adjusted dynamic brake covers - additional nose light (D&RGW) - top rebuild (fans etc)according GP40-2 - opened door at the long hood side - step under the new rear door - small window in the long hood enineers side (in the 'R') - rounded edge underneeth top headlights - removed sharp edges of front windows - hand made handbrake in short hood - hand made cab roof antennas - hand made air tanks - hand made tank fill pipes - body mounted MTL #903 couplers - hand made closed pilots - hand made snow plow - hand made pilot connector - hand made walking plate at pilots - new bell and air tanks - hand made railings - BMLA sunshades,wipers, grab irons, fans and fan covers, mirrors, mu cables,lifting eyes, cut levers - home made decals - Kristelklear windows - paint: Tamiya primer, PollyS D&RGW yellow, Humbroll black 85 - white LEDs covered with Tamiya X-26 - thinner light fibers installed Some of these steps can also improve the look of a GP38-2. More pics: See the small window in the long hood in the 'R'.. This is how it started. How it was done, see my picasa photo album. https://picasaweb.google.com/108766...3127GP402ZScale?authkey=Gv1sRgCLjplK2q2P3_Zw# See also: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?149085-AZL-GP38-2-into-GP40-2-WIP
Frank, Very nice work! And the photos in your picasa photo album make a great visual tutorial for those looking to something similar. ~Paul E.
Great looking kitbash Frank. I was planning to do another GP40, but I am going to do a CN GP38 with a safety cab instead. I love those safety cabs.
Congrats on a fine bash job. A real labor of love put into that one. The only thing I don't like visually and that goes for any loco is the unsightly coupler pockets that ruin any loco appearance wise. I know we are grateful that MTL has working couplers, but if someone can just come up with a better mouse trap working version of knuckle couplers it will be the greatest improvement in Z to date visually speaking. Maybe David Smith's ideas for a new coupler will someday answer this question. Hope so.
John, CN GP40-2 safety cabs have been tested on the D&RGW..in the past..would be an interesting bash job.