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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
 Posted - 11/02/2007 : 12:47:22 AM
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Now that I am officially between layouts, I have the time to devote to some projects that I’ve wanted to do for quite a while. I’ve always had a passion for kitbashing locomotives, but with the selection of highly detailed engines, and such a variety on the market today, little opportunity exists for such an endeavor. That is, until now!
Here in south Jersey, we have a collection of ‘short lines’ that provide a unique assortment of motive power to model. Fellow forum member Rich Wojcik’s layout is based on the railroads of south Jersey, one of which is the Winchester & Western Railroad. Since he needs several W&W locomotives for that part of his layout, forum members Bruce Barrett, (SteamNut), Joe Hueber and I decided we would each model one of the locomotives from the W&W to operate on his layout.
The Winchester & Western Railroad is actually based out of Winchester, Va., but owns and operates on several miles of track here in South Jersey between Bridgeton, Vineland and Millville. It is a nice operation that moves a lot of traffic through the area. They have a nice facility located in Bridgeton, NJ, which includes a well equipped shop where they do all of their own maintenance work. I am fortunate to be long time good friends with two of the employees that work there, and they are gracious enough to allow me to come down now and then and look around and go for a ride. A call one day to one of my friends resulted in an invite to go down on a Saturday where we would be able to photograph, measure, study, etc., all the locomotives there. What a great opportunity!
All of their equipment here on the ‘New Jersey Division’ consists of early EMD units, mostly ex-NKP GP-9’s. However, one locomotive in particular caught my eye as it was just a little different. It was engine #575, a Paducah rebuild. A little research and I knew I had to model this locomotive. It turns out this locomotive is ex-PRR GP-9 #7237. Conrail had it rebuilt by Paducah, re-classified it to a GP-10 and renumbered to #7575. Needless to say, during our day trip there, I took numerous photo’s of this locomotive. As luck would have it, a few weeks later I was down for a cab ride, and guess which engine was on the ready track – engine #575. That sealed the deal!
So here are some shots of #575. Note the Paducah filter box. Also note the low short hood. This was done by the W&W after they acquired her from Conrail. The W&W is making this modification to each of their GP-9’s.
Since Joe Hueber is the guy with no fear, he gets the best shots. While we were on the ground talking, (that’s me in the blue shirt to the right of the engine) Joe climbed up on the roof of the engine and got these shots.
One other unique feature of this particular engine is that it is wired to be a ‘master’ to a ‘slave’. This box supplies power to traction motors in a slave, or ‘slug’. This is different than a standard MU connection as a slave unit has no engine or generator on board. It is simply a low car body with weight and traction motors which get their power from the master. The W&W does not have a slug in NJ, but I understand they have one down in Va. This photo shows the connections for the slave, an easy detail to model.
This should be a fun project. I plan to add sound and working ditch lights to complete the model, something that I don’t normally get to enjoy since I model the late 60’s! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2007 : 12:54:44 AM
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Here is my starting point – a Life-Like Proto GP-18. Yes, GP-18. After studying the photos for quite a while, matching many of the details such as fans, louvers, etc., of #575, I was quick to realize that while the prototype was originally a GP-9, the details did not match up with the models of a GP-9. Perhaps they were different phases. This I am not sure of. However, the GP-18 model is almost dead on!
I’ve already started by filling in the molded recesses in the roof that are designed to accept their version of the cab shades.
The first big project will be to remove the short hood and cut it down to size. While on location, I took this shot to measure the height of the short hood, which measures 67” from the deck.
I had originally thought I could use the short hood from a GP-20, but that hood has a slight angle to it whereas the one on #575 is flat. The only alternative is to cut down the short hood on the model to the correct height. That will be the first step. Ironically, that is exactly what the W&W did on the prototype. Then I will have to scratchbuild the wall panel above the short hood with the windshield, as well as add the number boards and headlights. Stay tuned!
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2007 : 09:12:27 AM
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Mark-
I enjoy visiting the W&W here in Va ... just can't get up to Gore often enough!
Here is the slug unit you referred to. They have another Alco switcher hood "on blocks" behind the shop ... maybe they will cobble one together for Jersey.
Mark Chase
Richmond VA |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2007 : 09:49:32 AM
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Well Mark, take a second look at your photograph. I did some more research on #575 the other night, only to find they shipped that unit down to Virginia to be used as a master unit for that slug, and if you look again at your picture, that's #575 in the lead! The number is hard to make out, but the distinctive spotting feature is the filter box just in front of the dynamic brake blister. I took my pictures here in New Jersey about a year ago, so I'm not sure when they shipped it down there.
I believe that slug was also in New Jersey for a while before being shipped down to Virginia. I remember seeing it sitting by their shops, still in Conrail blue. At the time however, it did not have the cab mounted on it. I don't think any slugs had cabs on them since they normally are not used as a 'lead unit', so this must be a W&W modification. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Steam Nut
Fireman
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2007 : 09:49:44 AM
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| There was a slug in Jersey at one time, I think thats the one that you say is on blocks now. The one that was in Jersey was cab less. |
Steam Lives! |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2007 : 12:03:38 PM
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Well, I jumped in head first into this project this morning and am in the thick of it now! The first order of business was to cut the short hood down to size. I began by removing the short hood from the body. Most of the Proto locomotives are actually a series of parts glued together, kind of like a kit. With a little care, the short hood is easily removed from the body.
Once removed, I measured the new height of the short hood and used masking tape to locate where the cut should be made, leaving a little excess for sanding and fine fitting.
As SteamNut likes to say, 'the world hates a coward', so I took the saw and made my cut. Lady luck was with me this morning, and when all was said and done, it came out great!
A test fit verified my measurements.
Next, I carefully sanded off the details of the headlight casting and frame around the number boards. I glued some plastic on the back and applied the first application of putty and set this aside to dry.
Now it's on to work on the cab.
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2007 : 12:13:58 PM
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Now that I've removed and cut down the short hood, there remains a void in the cab where I now need to place a windshield, headlight and number boards. A picture of the prototype details what I need to accomplish.
I began but cutting a piece of .015" styrene to fit in the opening of the cab, sanding to get as tight a fit as possible. The next step here will be to mark the location of the two windows and cut them out, but first I need to add the headlight and number board casting above.
I have an old Front Range GP-9 shell that I am sacrificing for this project. The headlight castings, along with a few other assorted details, will come in handy.
I cut out the headlight and number board section from that shell which I will have to file down to match the roof line contour.
The next step will be to begin to file down this casting so that it fits flush against the cab and follows the roof contour, then extend the roof line out over this casting. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 01:10:25 AM
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I got a lot more done tonight than I anticipated, but you know how it goes – you get wrapped up in a project and you can’t stop!
First thing I tackled tonight was the new headlight and number board assembly that will go above the lowered short hood. This required a lot of filing, sanding and fitting. The tough part was getting the right contour to match the cab roof. I also had to remove the cast in marker lights. Here is a ‘before and after’ shot, showing what I started with (cutting the corner out of another GP-9 shell) and what it looks like after all the filing.
Once I got this part done, I set this assembly aside as I had to finish fitting the new lowered short hood to the chassis. The walls of the short hood had to be cut to fit around the ‘battery boxes’ along the walkway. Of course, this meant I had to tackle yet another job.
On the prototype, the boxes are not ‘stock’. On the engineers side, there is a longer battery box that protrudes past the nose as can be seen below.
I have no idea what this extra ‘box’ is. We opened it and it was empty! But, since it’s there, it has to be modeled. This means I have to add to the existing box on the model.
Also, as can also be seen below, on the fireman’s side there is one less box, which means I had to cut the existing one out of the chassis.
This shot shows the chassis after removing this extra box from the chassis of the model.
Finally, I test fit the short hood to the chassis to ensure a good fit.
I still have some fine sanding to do, but things are fitting together well. Once I get this all done, I can resume work on the wind shield wall and begin assembly.
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Sodbuster
Fireman
USA
2284 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 11:32:35 AM
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Years ago when I was modeling the Mopac in HO and belonged to the Wichita Ark valley MMR club, I had a fancy to build a GP-7 conversion somewhat similar to yours. Minus the Paducah filter box & Dynamic brakes. Mopac had done at their Little Rock shop. My only Photo's were from an old Diesel spotters guide in black and white. It was built from an old Atlas W/ Kato drive I picked up from a consignment shelf. Watching your rebuild sure brings back fond memories of days past. Thank you for sharing! Keep those great re-construction pictures a coming! Very nice... |
Edited by - Sodbuster on 11/03/2007 11:35:50 AM |
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acousticco
Fireman
Canada
1325 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 1:14:47 PM
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This is a great project, I love watching folks with the guts to slice up diesels to get what they want.
Thanks for documenting it so thoroughly,
-Cody |
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lv4142003
Engine Wiper
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 6:33:12 PM
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| Mark, outstanding! I didn't realize that there was one less box on the Firemans side! Can you use the remains of that box for the one on the Engineers side? I went looking for my CD with the rest of the W&W stuff we took that day, including the rest of the top shots, but it wouldn't open,I don't know what I did to it, it just won't open.You'll have to see if Bruce and Rich have anymore shots you can use. Keep the photos coming! Hueber |
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Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23277 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 6:51:40 PM
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Mark,
You are doing one heck of a job explaining your progress step-by-step! It is making sense to me, and I've never had the nerve to modify a diesel.
I am enjoying following along. |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 11:22:58 PM
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| Thanks for the kind words guys! Actually, many years ago, before I had a layout to occupy my time, this was one of my main interests. Of course, those were the days of Athearn, the 'new' Stewart offerings, etc. If you wanted a decent looking locomotive, you had to add the details and make some changes. And God forbid you wanted a model or version that wasn't offered commercially. Now that the layout is down and I'm waiting to buy my new basement, er ah, house, I'm using the time to get into other projects and this is one I've been thinking about for over a year now. Now that I'm into it, I'm having a blast! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2007 : 11:28:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by lv4142003
Mark, outstanding! I didn't realize that there was one less box on the Firemans side! Can you use the remains of that box for the one on the Engineers side?
Joe, no I can't. The piece that I cut out however will be used to fill that same void you see in the last picture. The top of that box has the diamond plate, so I will use that for the decking. I have the other GP-9 shell that I'm am sacrificing for parts on this projecct, such as the headlight and numberboard casting. I'm going to cut out another box to add to what is on the engineers side. We'll see how that works out. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2007 : 01:03:34 AM
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Tonight I continued working on the chassis, rebuilding the walkway after having removed the short box. I took the piece that I removed from the walkway and cut apart the pieces so that I could reuse them. Since the top of the box that I removed has the diamond plate cast into it, it will be used to fill the lower walkway decking, and the upright piece that the step was mounted to will again be used as the upright piece.
In this picture, I have already mounted the upright piece into place and have filed 45 degree angles in the underside of the floor decking piece, as well as the frame area where this piece will be mounted. This provides for as flush a mount as possible, maintaining the details on the frame and the deck piece.
The piece has been glued into place. The space between the deck and the upright piece will later be filled with putty and will not show as a step will be mounted above and the final side panel piece will also hide this area.
At this point, I have mounted the side panel piece to finish the rebuilding of the fireman’s side of the unit.
Again, I test fit the assembly with the short hood in place. I also sanded down the top of the short hood tonight to remove the details, such as the rivet detail, that were cast into it.
Having finished the fireman’s side, I began working on the engineer’s side. This side required removal of another short box, but a full size box needs to be added. I used a box cut from the scrap GP-9 body I’ve been chopping up for this project and am fitting it into position. Although this large box will not be a perfect match, considering the engine will be painted black when done, I don’t think the difference in details will be that noticeable. I still have a lot of filing to do with this to make it a tight fit, but the unit is starting to come together!
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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railphotog
Fireman
Canada
3621 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2007 : 06:37:49 AM
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That's a whole lot of very fine work! Great craftsmanship.
I made a Paducah Geep many years ago, but mine was a lot simpler to do. Started with an Athearn GP-9 and a white metal low hood kit by Ivers Engineering. It came with a new top for the short hood, cab roof (I think!) with the numberboards and a cab front with windows. I added a DA Horst air filter. Most work for me was removing the dynamic brake blister on the Athearn shell, as the unit I was modeling did not have dynamics. I salvaged exhaust stacks from the shell and another one and added them. Here's my version:
I modeled this engine because a friend supplied me with photos of several leased Precision diesels that showed up locally a long time ago.
Keep up the fine work!
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Bob Boudreau
My model railroad photography website:
http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/ |
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Kitbashing Winchester & Western #575
