Z Scale GP60

I have to admit that Dave was the inspiration for this bash. I've been working up some future options for new development at work (don't get excited yet!) and like to build mock-up's to show Management. Here I took the yet to be born SD40-2 and a GP-35 and made a GP60 for my SP Livery. Easy really since the shell of the SD40-2 is an exact match for the 60. I took the Dynamic Brake off and rebulit the more angular version with styrene, cut off a fan to finish it off and then added all air ducts, environmental controls and the like. The GP-60 walk around on the SP Modeling Web site gave me the images needed and the drawings came from the 60th anniversary issue of Model Railroader. The deck was made from two GP35 parts with the nose modified for the different shape there. When the SD40-2 is relased (undec's will be an early release in the program this time ) ), cutting that down will be much easier as you can use the handrails with a little cutting. Here I'll go ahead and etch new railings to get it up and running.



The chassis is another issue, again turning to Dave, I am stretching it using the rod and bore technique. The added bonus of the SD40-2 is that the worm gear is on a much longer shaft so you can span the extra length without having to make a coupling system that seems to elude me otherwise.

Decals...speed lettering is the version needed and I found that the Micro Scale N Scale decals for the SP Well Cars has the right size lettering. So getting her marked up should take short work. I still have a lot to finish, but I'll take more progress photo's as I go along. Again, this is very provisional so consider it a wild fantasy on my part...no schedules, no expectations... The GP60 may not fit our matrix due to the limited number of road names, but it's good fodder for other units that fit the bill. Hopefully the more industrious of you will give this conversion a shot once all the parts are available.

Cheers

Joe
MTL

 

Fantastic work as always!!:teeth: The Z-world is forever in debt to the "chosen one"!

 

By the way, that looks like Soo Line paint on the '40 cab? Sneak peak?

 

No they aren't... might want to look at a few pictures of the prototype.

 

Oye...exact enough for me. Better? )

 

Sure, I'm going to machine another one this week and I'll send you the master after I make a mold. Just do a lot of cool stuff with it and that's payment plenty! )

Cheers

Joe

 

GP60 Kitbash and Questions, Questions

Joe that's a real cool kitbash. Can't wait to see it painted up. Once you make the mold and cast it will you be offering it for sale You said the GP-60 would not likely be made by MTL due to it's limited roadnames.
Go one back, the GP40 or GP40-2, A huge reservoir of names, will we be seeing it
eventually?

The initial first release of the SD40-2, will it be undecorated? Or will it be an option
with a painted unit?

That SP boxcar lurking in the background, when, when, when.

How long will it be before we see Railbox on the FMC 50' footers?

 

Great kitbash, Joe. You have really the advantage to get your hands on things before we get the base! Lokking forward to see more!

 

Wow, great work Joe! I know the Grande had them too and I'm sure David allready works on that. Of course I would be interested to have one in my Collection too (Grande or SP). BTW nice SP Car in the back, is this the march release?

 

Hi Harold.

Right, I don't know if I can pull off a GP60, but working towards the GP40 et al is more likely. I'm working on 09 development now and need to start throwing ideas against the wall to see what sticks hense the prototype.

This first one is just to prove I could do it and work out the process. I may do a second pattern and do some castings for trade...but it would require a lot of hand work on the chassis to make the whole thing come together. Will keep you posted.

The first couple of SD40-2's will be painted but there's an appreciation up front that we need to do undecs of this engine right away. As I get closer to the release date I can let everyone know how we plan on doing this.

Again, the SP car is to show how striking it would be and I think I made the point this morning in the car selection meeting. I'm working on getting it into the que soon. The only drawback is that it was a one off...but I do have info on another car that might work as a companion piece. Still researching it. This one is going to Jurg...once we get around to releasing these cars undecorated I can provide some decals for trade (need to get more ink as well) I'm not all that crazy about the way the red comes out on the Alps, so I'm finishing up a brass mask so I can match the color a bit better. That I can spray directly onto the decal sheet. This scheme was only used once on the 50' cars, generally it was found on the 86' Hycubes and autoboxes I believe. Anyway, this car looks really nice with the overnight cars and since Jurg has all of mine, it needs to be with it's friends! )

I have the Railbox scheduled, date is still in flux as we work out new capacity matrix's in production. But they are on the way.

Cheers

Joe
MTL

 

HA HA HA HA! I LOVE IT!!!!

nice loco, joe!

i'm so loving the look of the new shell. i'm sure no one has to tell you how it goes when you try something new. everyone wants one! but that's the great part, too, isn't it.

show is some more as you progress.
it's just way too cool.
dave f.

 

Hello Joe and David and sorry that I'm always behind you guys if there is something new out there. You guys gave me a lot of spectacular Items for my Collection. I appreciate that very much. Thanks again!

 

Hey guys,

Here's a shot of the shell with some primer on it. Needs a little clean up, but I think I can get some paint on it tonight.



Oh, yea, when drilling the holes for the rods to extend the chassis, be sure you hold it in a vice. I am now the proud owner of two .070" holes, one in each index finger. OUCH

Cheers

Joe

 

"Oh, yea, when drilling the holes for the rods to extend the chassis, be sure you hold it in a vice. I am now the proud owner of two .070" holes, one in each index finger. OUCH"

... i'm not laughing AT you, joe, i'm laughing WITH you.


well i see the A/C unit now. it didn't show up very well in the first picture. nice touch -- essential too. i was wondering what the white box over the air filter intake was ... it's a radio antennae platform, isn't it? what are using for antennae? a fire-cracker. you know there are some antennae on the parts sprue that comes with the AZL SD70s! i'll send you one if you don't have any.

this is going to be fun. joe, did you have to shorten the shell at all, or is the length (through the Gp60's single dynamic brake) the same as the SD40's double D/B fans? if they are the same that would make this a MUCH easier kitbash for others to try (if a person didn't have hack out any doors to shorten it).

personally, one of the things i especially like about joe's kitbashes, is that SP and D&RGW ran much similar motive power (GP60s, tunnel motor SD40T-2s, etc). it makes it more fun for me to see joe's and my efforts "cross-breeding."

if this is any indication of what spring will be like, it's going to be a nice spring! every one will be trying their hand at kitbashing something out of the new locomotive offerings. kitbashing is the part i love most. but ... who will build my layout for me, so i can see these locos running in true glory???? ... so many loco -- so little time.
dave f.

JURG: we like to see the new stuff shown off on your fantastic modules! i think everyone enjoys it more. we are all in this together -- all us Z modelers! i'm already making the spark arrestors for the GP9s! df

 

Dave,

The shell is the same size or very near...even the vents and doors all line up with the drawings I have. All I did was remove the dynamic brake and fabricate a new one and then add all the bits and pieces. I'm sure there are a ton of different details I didn't address, but the idea here is to get something that looks different and folks who know will see a GP60. Other than a complete scratchbuild, it's as close as you can get. The deck was the only pain to do, like I noted when the SD40-2 deck is available from tooling I can modify that and use the railings as well.

Joe

 

Great stuff Joe! I appreciate the fact that a man in your position at a company like MT actually creates all this stuff for fun! Great to have a someone step up for z scale like you do.

 

You sure you're looking at GP60 drawings[]