Lightweight GP9 modelling

The lightweight trio leads 4 standard GP9 into the smelter in Flin Flon.  The 70T waits for them to yard the train so it can start its work.

I've been working on a trio of lightweight GP9 for the Hudson Bay Railway.  These were common power on the northern network from the 1960's through 1980's.  They are a bit of a challenge to model as most rode on Flexicoil trucks and had other modifications from standard Geeps.  

I used Rapido trucks from their GMD-1 model along with Athearn Genesis GP9 to build two of my units, while a third kept its factory Blomberg trucks to represent a unit that had its Flexicoils removed.

I substituted a P2K shell for one unit as I had already started modifying it.  I decided it would be easier to use the Athearn drive instead of the P2K drive as it was pretty much a swap out.  I have an extra Athearn CN GP9 for future use.  Maybe I'll put it on a P2K drive.  

I am planning a future post about the details of this build, but figured posting a few photos would be worthwhile.  

CN 4206 rides on Flexicoil trucks and has modified louvers and sideskirting.

CN 4118 had its Flexicoils swapped out for Blomberg trucks in the 1960's.  It was renumbered to 4374 in 1984-85.  It lost its dynamic brake fan along the way and didn't have the cylindrical spark arrestors.  This was the easiest model to do as the louver arrangement matched the factory model.  All that was needed was to renumber the unit.  

CN 4243 has been on my "to do" list for many years.  It had a scorched area under the dynamics from what was likely an engine fire.  I still need to add the winterization hatch and all weather window to this unit.  I used a P2K shell on an Athearn Genesis frame with Rapido Flexicoil trucks.  Quite a dog's breakfast of a unit.  


May 16/22 Update




If you are interested in more information about this build the June 2022 Railroad Model Craftsman magazine has an article I wrote about building these locomotives.  They are relatively straightforward to build using either the Athearn Genesis or P2K model.


Comments

  1. theoriginaltwofoot18 January 2021 at 21:44

    Did you ever put together that post on building these little fellas?

    Thanks

    Chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marc Simpson18 January 2021 at 21:51

      Hi Chris, there is something in the works, it seems to take longer to write something up than to actually build it.

      Delete

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