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Good evening all! Just wanted to show a loco I have been working on and will be show cased at the Chicago O scale meet contest 

This started life as a Weaver “GP38”. (actually close to a GP39-2 variant) Many changes had to happen to bring this loco around. Original fans, exhaust stacks, horn, molded grab irons, side air vents and many other molded details were removed. The rear radiator section and dynamic brake blister got most of the attention  fans had to be removed and filled in and new PCS castings placed. GP38 radiator sections are realtively short and on this model they were to far apart to be prototypical. Other details included rebuilding the hand brake, cutting the fuel tank to proper sive and adding finer details. P&D brass trucks will replace the original Weaver drive, and A Right-o-way speacial drive will take it’s place eventually.

I will update as things progress. On to the next set of parts!

 

 

James 

 

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Jay, the magic isn't so much with the 3d printing, as with the 3d modeling .

The trucks used on the sdl39 are quite different from the HTC-1's.  I believe they are a design for export locomotives, so while they are somewhat similar to EMD Flexicoil 3 axle trucks, there are any number of distinctions.  The trucks are often the most difficult aspect of any sdl39 build, due to their unique style.

For starters, the wheelsbase on the sdl39 truck is 12'-2", versus 13'-7" for the Flexicoil or HTC-1.  There are also differences in the truck castings, some subtle, some obvious.  Some of the detail parts are common to other EMD trucks, like the journals and brake cylinders, so those parts wouldn't be an issue. 

There are versions offered via Shapeways, although I only know of them in HO scale.  The usual caveat applies about contacting the owner and requesting  O scale versions.  O scale frames may already be available, but I've never looked for them in particular to know one way or another.

If you expand your search beyond manufacturers for North American prototypes, you will find manufacturers who have done the trucks for export locos.  Again, they tend to be HO scale.  However, it may be worth an email or two to ask for help, or availability in O scale.

In the worst case scenario, given sufficient information, an accurate 3d model of the side frames can be produced, which can then yield masters for casting, as Jay suggests.  In fact, 3d prints could be used directly if they weren't load bearing.  However, in my experience with this sort of piece, with the inherent detail, the common materials available for printing are fairly brittle and not particularly durable.  So in my opinion, a brass or resin casting, or hybrid casting/etch combination, would be more ideal.

Everything else besides the trucks will be a matter of scratching or bashing common EMD parts to match the prototype.

Good luck!
Jim

big train posted:

Btw, where did you source that ratchet hand brake on the gp38-2?  I could use a couple of those.

And don't forget to rotate your radiator fans 90° before you get to far along.  The flats on the mounting flanges should be facing each other .

All of the brass detail parts are Precision scale.  The handbrake is “Housing w/ handbrake” part number 56130. I am impressed with how detailed these are. 

 

Thanks for pointing out the fans. Fortunately they are just on there for look at the moment and are not permanent. I will look closely at all of my photos before adding such details correctly. 😁

 

james

Jay C posted:

See!  This is why it's good to have talented and knowledgeable friends.

Jay

Very much so! I’m glad there are dedicated individuals out there with the know-how. I would very much like to see these trucks made as the bodies I can completely scratch build to correct proportions. This 38-2 project is a good start for my scratch building skills. 

 

James

E21 James posted:
 
 
CBQer posted:

How about truck sets for an SDL39?

Dick

I am actually looking into scratch building an SDL. I have all the drawings required to build one. Side frames would more than likely be built from brass bar. I am seriously looking into doing this in the next couple of years. 

 

James

I'm almost 71. Can't wait that long. I have a body built and a pair of urethane side frames. My mental block has to do with the rest of the gearbox, etc. Any help is really appreciated.

Dick

Update! 

GP38-2 is coming along nicely. With the shorter rear radiator section, the dynamic brake blister section took up more area and have properly added the length to match the prototype. I have added lift rings, electrical cabinet, and have now started end details. These locos had anyiclimbers installed and have modeled those. Grab irons will go on tomorrow and after paint is applied, I can add the hoses and rear cooling fans. 

The next update will include painting the model, and how the P&D Brass trucks will mount to the frame.  

426F3C76-3C2D-44C4-9848-6D4C181EF182002CC175-51B7-4701-B42E-65BECA466D7E

 

James

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Jay C posted:

James,

Just curious, might it be better to do the mechanical, or drive if you will, prior to painting?

Jay

Fortunately the frame, body and walk way all come apart seperately. I can paint the body and work with the trucks. Your drive is going into this, so I’m not going to even bother with a drive. I’m going to put some wheels into the trucks and it will work for the contest in March. I would have the drive done at the same time but don’t have time before the contest. 

 

James

Good morning all!

         

An update from this evenings work. Finally am down to the final couple of details with the body. Got the rivets in place on the radiator and dynamic brake sections and grab irons are now attached. My next course of action is to tackle the frame and walkway. The weaver walkway is incorrect for a GP38-2 and you will see in the side body view some of the penciled in corrections that need to be made. I have also penciled in the proper locations for all of the stanchions which I will get the holes drilled so installation after painting will be simple. 

I will be cutting the frame on my mill to accept two brand new delrin plates milled out to match P&D’s mounting system for the brass trucks. An update will follow on that build. And with that finished I can finally add the piping, air portions, and fuel tank details to complete this model.

 

F610CC38-0138-4276-B7A6-FB090A1549A0C8C99B5C-F676-4250-A6C4-1140D2025930125F1328-464F-48ED-B32E-0319515D7E6AD23CBAA2-125E-4EF6-8874-0D59FFC70AB0

James

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Last edited by E21 James
Jay C posted:

James,

How about a photo from underneath.  Wanting to see the guts!

Jay

97F0F263-8881-492A-9B45-9AAE8E8EBEBCAs you can see, I haven’t really started in that department yet. I will be milling out each end to accept the delrin plate which the P&D trucks will mount to. I have to deisgn the tank to come off seperate so motor mounts and electronics can be accessed. There will be a lot of piping and air portions as well as full frame details. I will be painting the body while I work on the frame this next month. 

 

James

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15548875156_06c3f4c8d1_b [2)A few years ago now I did this 'kit bash' of a Weaver GP38-2 into a GP40 by combining it with Atlas parts - SD40 long hood (slightly shortened at the cab end) & battery boxes and GP35 dynamics blister. I later found out the real #2041 had the fan on the blister removed, so that has been corrected since this photo was taken.

As I model the Soo Line I apologise to MILW fans for the Bandit livery, but it was interesting researching and fitting MILW-specific details to this loco, such as the bell behind the cab, and numberboards on the dynamics blisters (albeit painted out by the Soo). The research was all the more fun as per my signature - from the UK, thousands of miles away across an inconveniently large puddle (a.k.a. the Atlantic!) & many years too late for the circa-1990 condition of my model.

As far as I can find out, #2041 was still active for CP Rail just a few years ago, with further modifications such as plating over of class lights, & STILL in ever-more delapidated Bandit livery, which was only ever meant as a 'temporary' patch job!! 

Off topic I know, sorry, but how would I find out - or can anyone tell me - if #2041 is still active as of now, Jan 2019?

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The latest I can find for SOO 2041 is that it was leased and then sold to the KCS from Progress Rail, in 2015, renumbered as KCS 2957.  

I can't seem to find any kind of current diesel roster for KCS.  Everything is somewhat dated, and previous to 2015 the KCS 2957 road number slot was occupied by a gp40-2 (rebuilt as a gp40-3).  So I can't tell if the ex-MILW loco is still on the KCS roster.

There are magazines, like Diesel Era, that often have industry news in their early pages, where they publish motive power notes concerning new locos, renumbers, rebuilds, and retirements.  Good luck figuring out which issue of which magazine might include information on the current disposition of this locomotive.

Jim

Mautner posted:

Excellent Model,May I ask where You got the radiator grill replacements?

Thank you!

 

These are a Des Plaines Hobbies replacement for the GP38. What I found out though, If you are modeling as delivered, that these grills are not prototypical of the Milwaukee. They actually had the wired mesh instead of the coragated steel like these are. But there is good news for this loco. #362 suffered an accident in 1976 and had the grills replaced with the coragated style. So this loco will be numbered #362 and modeled right after that accident. A new update will follow soon. 

 

James

SundayShunter posted:

15548875156_06c3f4c8d1_b [2)A few years ago now I did this 'kit bash' of a Weaver GP38-2 into a GP40 by combining it with Atlas parts - SD40 long hood (slightly shortened at the cab end) & battery boxes and GP35 dynamics blister. I later found out the real #2041 had the fan on the blister removed, so that has been corrected since this photo was taken.

As I model the Soo Line I apologise to MILW fans for the Bandit livery, but it was interesting researching and fitting MILW-specific details to this loco, such as the bell behind the cab, and numberboards on the dynamics blisters (albeit painted out by the Soo). The research was all the more fun as per my signature - from the UK, thousands of miles away across an inconveniently large puddle (a.k.a. the Atlantic!) & many years too late for the circa-1990 condition of my model.

As far as I can find out, #2041 was still active for CP Rail just a few years ago, with further modifications such as plating over of class lights, & STILL in ever-more delapidated Bandit livery, which was only ever meant as a 'temporary' patch job!! 

Off topic I know, sorry, but how would I find out - or can anyone tell me - if #2041 is still active as of now, Jan 2019?

I actually come to the Chicago show every year and have seen your loco in person. It’s beautifully done (though too late. 😉) 

Will you be in Chicago this year?

 

james

E21 James posted:
big train posted:

Btw, where did you source that ratchet hand brake on the gp38-2?  I could use a couple of those.

And don't forget to rotate your radiator fans 90° before you get to far along.  The flats on the mounting flanges should be facing each other .

All of the brass detail parts are Precision scale.  The handbrake is “Housing w/ handbrake” part number 56130. I am impressed with how detailed these are. 

 

Thanks for pointing out the fans. Fortunately they are just on there for look at the moment and are not permanent. I will look closely at all of my photos before adding such details correctly. 😁

 

james

Before you glue those fans down. Make sure you have the right type of fan grill. Many GP38 had diffuser grills ( the "dot" of metal in the center of the grill) while the GP40 & GP40-2 had all see through grills just like yours.

big train posted:

James,

Different guy.  You're thinking of Damin Keenan (I think that's his name) who has the switching layout in the lobby out front.  He does have a a loco painted in the bandit scheme.

Jim

Oh I’m sorry! I had no clue others were modeling the bandit schemes as well. Either way your GP looks well done. Thanks for sharing. 

 

James

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Before you glue those fans down. Make sure you have the right type of fan grill. Many GP38 had diffuser grills ( the "dot" of metal in the center of the grill) while the GP40 & GP40-2 had all see through grills just like yours.

From what I can tell, after #362 was rebuilt, they use completely see through fans. It may have come from the factory with the difuser but I’m guessing they put GP40 style fans in place.  This is also the only 38-2 to receive the coragated intake grills instead of the wire mesh style. Thank you for the insight. 

 

James

Final update before the paint goes on. Criswell modified trucks have arrived. They are currently just floating under the frame until the mounting brackets are milled. The only detail missing, before paint, is the rear plow. I will finish construction of that tonight. I found a very simple method of mounting protocraft couplers using the red caboose coupler pocket. Amazingly enough with some plastic shims, I was able to get a good fit and will test height when the trucks are properly mounted.

The body will go into the paint booth starting Thursday and will have orange sprayed that evening. The frame won’t get any paint until all the pieces are in place. I have some final details to work out with piping, electrical and such and then paint will go on.

enjoy!

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