US Hobbies MG gp-35....

I have two.   My only thoughts are that they actually run too slow with the original motors.    I replaced my motors with Pittman can motors.    They are more like other two rail locos in speed now.  

 

Also the pennsy units as far as I know did not have lights in the low hood nose.   I covered mine with a thin piece of aluminum or styrene before painting.   

US Hobbies/KTM locos are built very solid and have very durable and rugged drive components in my experience with them. I don't have a GP35 but I have an F45 that is built like a tank. The only thing that I will change on it is the old open frame motor with a newer Pittman can motor.

 

If you click this link http://www.oscalemag.com/docs/ost_14.pdf then go to page 10, there is an article on upgrading an US Hobbies/KTM GP35. Pretty useful information.

SP I read that article last night... Thx you!

I have Two of them with Lionel Pulmor motor and QSI eletronics. I painted mine into PRR colors as well!

PRR What shade did you use? I was going to do Brunswick green... With a little black added

Add a lot of black in my opinion.   I use about 4 parts black and one part brunswick green using Scalecoat paint.

Hey Brad.....nice purchase. I bought one several years ago from Al Stauffer at the Cleveland O - Scale Show. I was happy to not only meet Al and comment on all his books (especially the Pennsy Power Series), but to see a lot of his art work and several paintings done by his son, as well. I wish I had the cash to buy some of those pieces! Sigh...oh well.

 

Back to your model.....I had a good buddy...Steve Knight, from Clarion County PA, paint my model. Steve used Weaver's Scale Coat Brunswick Green (PRR DGLE) and it looks great!

 

Be sure to post some "after" pix of your loco. Tom in PGH

 

Tom Thank you! Can you confirm if any black was added....?

The Scalecoat "Brunswick" green was originally much darker.   It has migrated over the years to a much more dark green color.  

 

I suggest spraying a test piece of material and checking it out to see if you like it.  Or if you think it needs more green.   

 

As mentioned above, I thought it has become too green.

This is a matter of personal taste.  If you like black, make it blacker.  Personally, I start with S/C Brunswick and add quite a bit of CNW green.  That way they do not look black.

Don't forget the cab signal box on the right front;  for that true PRR look, paint it a different shade of black. [ Yes, black, that's what I'd paint it.]  Here's a set of three, taken in the early summer of 1965 [ so the units are less than a year old ] on an eb fast frt at Sewickley PA.

 

 

With best rgds, SZ

Brad....I checked.....50% DGLE and 50% black........it looks black until it's in direct sunlight. Tom

Where can I get. A keystone for the nose?

At that time as I recall it was 'one size fits all' for the newer frt units, eg, the nose keystones were the same as the side ones.  Just make sure the letters are white, not gold.

 

The picture below has nothing to do with the topic at hand -- it just was the next shot on the roll that day.....

 

Best, SZ

Brad: Steinzeit is correct....you want the white letters on your keystone. Look for MicroScale decal set 48-459....it's actually a passenger set, but it comes with the correct decals. I'll look around....I believe you'll need one for the rear end as well,correct? Tom in PGH

If that question is directed at me:  I think so -- but I couldn't quickly find a slide clearly showing the rear of one.  I remember the six axle GE's and EMD's had them on the rear.   I need to go down another level in the SZ Slide Vault.

 

Best, SZ

 

I don't have any, but maybe a "Pennsy in Color" type of book would have the definitive answer. 

 

Edited to add:  A quick internet search [ or 'oogle', as we "Mr Technology" types say ] turns up photos with the keystones on the rear.  So you need five per unit; the fifth is between the handbrake and the cab on that side of the nose.  The Athearn HO model is a good quick reference;  the MTH 0 ga model isn't.

Gents You guys are great!

I was wondering if you are going to remove and upgrade  parts like detailed fans.

Phill,

Not likely; I am going to have it serviced and will ask them to look into this.    I lack the tim and skill.