I have an overhead layout in our living room, I am in the process of rebuild it now that we have moved into our new home. I never caried for the noise of 3 rail trains and I am considering changing to 2 rail. I want to model the trains that ran on our shortline here in Kokomo IN when I was younger. The biggest headache is both of thier GP9's were low noses, non dynamic, one with the roof top air tanks. I believe someone makes the tanks as a detail part, but the low nose might be a bit more difficult as I dont think anybody does a round roof low nose. I can chop the nose on an Atlas or Red Caboose/P&D GP9 but handling the body work to rebuild the headlight assembly on the cab front is a bit more than I can do to my satisfaction. Any suggestions for doing a low nose GP9 in 2 rail? Thier other engine is fairly easy, SW9 switcher. The atlas unit is close enough, just have to shave off the friction bearings and find some roller bearing details for the trucks. I even can do the twin double flash amber strobes on the roof. The other option for road units are a pair of F units. They leased the two ex-Milw Rd F units from the Indiana Transportation Museum. Both painted in the Monon's cream and crimsion colors. One was a FP-7 #96 and the regular F7 is the 83A, both with functional upper headlights, mars in the 96 and gyralite in the 83A. I could probably pull the 83 off cheaply using the old Atlas F9 The dynamics have to go away, so once plated over, she would be pretty close to my eye for the 83A. The FP would take some modeling help to stretch one. What started all this was the recent purchase of a pair of super scale grade crossing flashers that exactly match the set at the crossing 3 blocks from my folks place on the old IMC district of the NKP from Kokomo to Tipton. I have a MIB Lionel Scale Hudson reissue from the 90's with the display case and all boxes for sale to help fund this project. I would even trade the steamer for some 2 rail stuff, Need modern grain hoppers on rollerbearing trucks, the engines, custom decals for the Monon engine. I have pics of the GP units, easy paint job, black upper part, tan lower body, red scotchlite stripe between the two colors and the letter for the name "Central" is easliy done by someone doing decals. Scenery will be quite sparce, the flashers being part of a vinette in one area depicting that crossing where I spent so much time as a young boy. Mike

The other option to keep custom modeling needs down, is to go back to the days of either the NW in the black with the noodle style logo with a high nose GP9 or back further to the NKP high nose with mars light GP9. I wish I had been alive to see the NKP era, but I didnt come about till 1973 and only remember the later years of the NW and a bit of NS, then it was the Central thru the years I was allowed to ride my bike anywhere I wanted and then when I could drive. Mike

Hi Mike,

While I can't comment on your specific prototype plans, I can say that having a specific prototype does lend itself very well to a scale modeling effort. It gives you a good fucus to direct your effort towards. You can amass the equipment you need to satisfy this goal rather than just buying everything in sight without any direction or purpose to your collecting..I wish you good luck and great success in this endeavor.

Bob

Exactly Bob, in the smaller and larger scales, everything I have is German. LGB in the garden and Marklin HO in our spare room. Really gives one a focus at train shows, as instead of looking for everything!, you look for certain things, European buildings ect. I however want to model what I grew up watching. I have tired in the smaller size, and it just doesnt come off like I want it to. Crossing flashers just look toy like, and the detailing gets harder as I age. O scale is perfect, I would go with G, but the details and signals have yet to catch up with the smaller scales.

Here is a pic of the 2 GP units, one is a 7 and the other is a 9. Both are low nose, non dynamic, primemovers rated to 1750 hp. I think that snow plow is offered by someone as well. Both have 3 chime Lesilie horns and the 1751 has two, one facing each direction. The 51 was in the process of being set up for passenger service on the Katy just before she was retired. The second unit with the big Horst filter is an ex BN GP10 rebuild, I think its 1752. I have the large Prime beacon and one of the number glasses from its sister 1410 that became the 1753 if my memory is correct. The beacon is still functional. Mike

Mike,

There is an article on building a Chop Nose GP9 from a Red Caboose kit in issue number 159 (Dec 2000) of O Scale News/48 ft. I think that (and other back issues) can still be purchased from the magazine.

SW

PS: This is for a Western Maryland version, but it sure looks similar to what you have pictured!

Nice pictures!

I think I have worked at a Corrugated box mill in kokomo back in the late 90's. Cant remember who owned it, any ideas what that plant might be? Maybe Weyerhauser?

quote:

I can chop the nose on an Atlas or Red Caboose/P&D GP9 but handling the body work to rebuild the headlight assembly on the cab front is a bit more than I can do to my satisfaction

Mike,

What you could do is buy a spare Red Caboose GP9 cab and a body from Ron at Des Plaines hobbies. Ron sells the individual parts and they are not expensive. Also buy his casting for the cab window. Then you can have a go at making the number board section and chopping the nose. It is do able and if it does not work out you've not lost much. Alternatively PSC did a plastic EMD cab for the GP35 and above series. This had a number board casting which I think could be fitted to a Red Caboose cab and the "sqareness" could be sanded to match the profile of the GP9 curved roof.

Good luck

Colin

Mike,

I'm not sure and I don't have my EMD books available to confirm this but I thought the GP-20's were basically a low nosed GP-9. I believe USH or Kemtron offered a GP-20 in brass as I've seen them on eBay. This might be an option for you if kitbashing plastic doesn't sound feasible.

Butch

Mike,

Butch is correct regarding the GP-20. I think it would definitely be easier than chopping a GP-9. The only engine I see that might be even better is the GP-18 which was EMD's direct successor to the GP-9, but I don't know if anyone ever did that engine? Just looking at photos, sure looks to me like a GP-20 (or 18 if available) would be the EASIEST route.

SW

The problem with the GP20 is the nose top is slanted forward, while a true chop nose GP9 has a flat top. Chopping the nose will just be a nice winter project. I am watching 2 Red Caboose undec, non dynamic kits on ebay right now. I wish I could find one of those kits outright, I hate getting into bidding wars over something. P&D hobbies has the upgraded drive with brass trucks, I do plan to get that as well. Going to do one loco at a time, starting with the 1751. Does someone make the roof air tanks? I thought someone did or still does. I could almost do this easier in G scale, USA trains does the nondynamic GP9 with roof tanks, would have have to chop its nose! Time for more research. Mike

Mike

P&D hobbies and Des Plaines hobbies O Scale America range has the roof top air tanks - or at least the ends for them.

Colin

I found on P&D's website, under thier own detail parts, the headlight/numberboard part for the GP20 SD18 ect so it might just be what I am looking for. I found a CB&Q RC GP9 kit for $250 on another site. I hate painting over what are getting to be a rare kit to find. I wish someone would reissue this kit again, with a low nose option. I am supprised Des Plaines hobbies hasnt done this, someone on another site said it was talked about at one time. I didnt see any referance to a body kit per say on thier web site. If I could get a complete body kit from them, then the upgraded P&D drive train with brass trucks, I would be set. Mike

Espee and I believe Kennecott Copper bought EMD low nose GP9's which have the same slant as the GP18/20. Home chop jobs usually had the flat or level top on the nose.

Greg

Mike
Last time I was there, Des Plaines Hobbies had complete ex-RC body kits, Red Caboose-style chassis and profiled frame weights in brass, as well as most of the RC Geep parts sprues. They also have the Horst filters (part OSA1033) in the restocked Custom Finish line. Just got www.desplaineshobbies.com and follow 'Our Products', 'O-scale' and 'Parts'.

And P&D have the brass 'traditional' chassis.
Jason

I wont need the Horst filters, not doing that unit, just the 1750 and 51 with the later being first up. She was a home brew chop nose, having orignaly been a MKT unit with a high short hood. It was flat, I stood on it when I helped mask and paint the unit. Spent many hours around thier power as a teenager. The head mechanic enjoyed having myself and a buddy around as gophers and taught us many things about an EMD diesel. Buddy and I had written permission to be on the property and in the depot anytime we wanted. Got many cab rides and some throttle time. Modeling this unit will be a special occassion for me as these are the trains I remember the most from my youth. I emailed Des Plains Hobbies, have to see if they check thier mail now. Once my train sells and I have cash in hand, I will call if I havent heard anything. I am hoping someone does the roof tanks and not just the end caps. There isnt a decent source of plastic modeling stuff nearby anymore. Hard to find even in Indianapolis anymore. To much RTR stuff anymore, I myself love to build kits, its the core of modeling! I am just not the best at scratchbuilding yet. Thanks Mike