Red Caboose GP9 Shell Removal to add ERR Cruise and Sound

To my knowledge, Weaver never produced a GP9. May its a Red Caboose GP9?

Most Weaver diesel models that I have, no GP9, are 6 screws, bottom up-into the shell.   Sometimes hard to find.  A picture of your model would help. RSD 11/12 looks like a GP9. There are end frame screws and a couple of screws near the fuel tank.    An Alco C630 requires the fuel tank screws to be removed.  A U25 B also may require the fuel tank screws to be removed.  I've been wrong and often.  Mike CT.

I have never seen a Weaver GP9.   Is it possible it is some other model or mfg?   

I have had the same experience as Mike above with the RS11 and U25B.    The RS3 both the original and new one have scrws as described.    

Red Caboose made a GP9.   It comes apart differently.    If I remember correctly about my 2-rail version, the screws holding the couplers have to be removed and then the couplers have to be removed out of the pilots.   Then the body shell is removed from the frame by gently spreading the skirts around the fuel tanks and lift off the shell.    the walkways and hoods are glued together on these units.

Guys, my mistake. It was late and I just picked it up. It is NOT a weaver, but a RED CABOOSE. 

So my questions about adding Cruise to a RED CABOOSE are still valid.

Sorry for the confusion.

RAY

AFAIK, they're pretty generic DC motored units, so I don't see any reason you couldn't upgrade them to cruise with the ERR Cruise Commander.

Just some food for thought. If they are Red Caboose GP-9"s I had bought two when they first made them.  The gears went on mine. If you have not run it and it is the earlier versions make sure they run. Mine are still shelf queens because I have not got around to working on them.............Paul

I would almost bet , there is no room to put the TMCC inside , it has a horizontal motor , and the trucks are the same as the early Atlas F9 .

I just put the ERR Cruise Commander in a Weaver RS-3 with the horizontal motor, so I wouldn't automatically assume it won't fit.

NWSL (NorthWest ShortLine) has replacement axles with metal gears at least for the 2 rail version of this engine or the Atlas F9.   They are drop in if you just remove the bottom plate.    Probably have to change out the bearings from the original to the new axle.

My description of taking the 2 rail one apart still applies then.   

You will have to drill holes in the bottom of the plastic fuel tank to add the sound speaker and possibly discard the weight. If you do that you will need to add weight over the trucks as the unit needs weight to pull any cars.

I didn't remove any of the weights from the Weaver RS-3.  I didn't put sound in it, but I think I could have fit it in.

This thread is timely as I just got one off eBay. The Red Caboose 3-rail GP9's have a reverse unit -- probably similar to the one Weaver used in their horizontal-motored GP38-2's. I haven't had time to try to get mine open, but at first glance, it looks like there will be enough room for a small ERR TMCC board. Not sure about sound.

This is from a thread where the guy is making the frame for the GP9, looks like enough room to add the ERR equipment.

Red Caboose 3-rail GP9 Frame

Looks like the CC-Lite will fit, and the sound board should fit on the other end.  The speaker is in the tank.

Suggestion:  You can use a very small Atlas wafer speaker.

Both the speaker and grill cover were from Atlas.   SW9 parts. 

I cut the hole in the die cast Atlas shell.  This is an older SW9 before TMCC conversions.  Older SW9's with Dallee  conventional control/sound had the speaker in the hood.