Well here is a small update on the progress of these locos This is the Atlas Classic GP7, I am really not happy with it, the handrails are WAY to coarse and will have to be replaced with some Smokey Valley ones, I shall order these when I order the missing winterhatch (I have the airhorn but its mounted on the winter hatch).
Very nicely done! I too have an Atlas Classic GP7, and yes, I agree with you that the handrails are a bit thick. The closest I've seen to correct size on a Geep are the ones on the P2K models. Wish you could get a set from Walthers (they bought LifeLike).....for that matter, I wish I could.
The good thing about the Smokey Valley ones is they are designed to fit in the Atlas 'holes' I think, which should make them easier to install to a painted loco, I didnt really notice them as being that bad until it was sat next to the Proto 2000 GP18.
Don't feel bad- I own three Atlas/Roco GP38s (made in the late 1970s-early 1980s), and the handrails look like 8" steel pipe was used. When I get around to refurbishing these models (the drive is good, and the shell is scale-width and has been re-detailed for Frisco), I'm gonna look into either the newer Atlas GP38/40 handrails for their new units or the Smokey Valley offerings.
I have one of the old Atlas/Roco GP38's as well, the thing is when Atlas upgraded the tooling for the GP7 with the addition of airhoses, grab irons etc why on earth didnt they do something about the handrails
Good question...........you're right, Smokey Valley puts out a good product. I have a set for a GP15-1 I'm saving for my reddetailed & repainted Walthers Trainline GP15-1 (Frisco red too "red", clunky handrails, no grabirons, plastic couplers, snow plow instead of plow pilot......thank the Lord for Smokey Valley, DA and DW)
Depending on if we get any rain I hope to get these flat varnished sometime soon, I cant do it at the moment as we have thousands of tiny flys (we call em thunder flys) coming off the wheat fields at the moment and would love to land on my wet varnish, as soon as I get them flatted its off to the weathering dept, from the photos i have been following the most dirty loco is the GP30 where as the GP7 is quite clean. After these are done I am going to finish off the Gondola I started scratch building then its time for some cabooses.
Sticky, Your work area is disgusting....clean and well organized. How do you find anything!?!?!? All kidding aside, you do excellent work! Very nice!
Not to break the subject, but judging what I saw from watching the British Open highlights on ESPN, that course was awful- I never saw so much brown grass. Kinda puts the lie to the phrase "green & pleasant land"......and I can feel your pain, 'cuz here on the rez it's bone-dry. What are you using to seal the models with? I normally use Testors Dullcote in spray can after the decals are on & have been on for a few days.
Thanks Bob I just use Humbrol matt varnish thinned down, and I spray it through an old Badger airbrush. Well no rain last night, they said we was going to have thunder storms last night but no sign of any The main problem with my workshop is it gets sun all day, its never in the shade.
That was only because I had a quick tidy up before I took the photos...... You should see it the rest of the time, if I have more than a foot of space to work in I am doing well
Now the weather has changed i managed to get them flatted down, here is the GP20 and GP30 taking their first trip arround the layout. All I need to do is to weather them.
