Large Scale Central

Help with current kitbash project

General Discussion
#21

Thanks for the kind words Dave. I know what you mean about the those louvers, they really are a labour of love :wink: (and that is the politest way I can put it!)

I’ve bashed a few USAT GP7/9s now, mainly based on SP prototypes. Previously I was happy and content to get most things right so it looked good. As I researched and learnt more though I decided I wanted to really try and get a few more things right on this one, hence why I opted to re-do all the louvers again. I mean it’s 1:29th so I’ll never get it “right,” but we can but try! :slight_smile:

Thanks again, and nice work on your own build, a really solid piece of modelling! Top work

#22

Craig Townsend said:

David Russell said:

Gavin

I’m not sure but I tend to agree with Craig on his thoughts …maybe this will help I don’t have the time to read it (or the interest) but I will definitely follow your build!

http://www.trainweb.org/WPRRINFO/EMDGP20Manual-12.html

Guess you’ve never drained a locomotive in the field, or added water cause the cooling water was leaking out…

No Craig I have not and this is why I agreed with what you stated

#23

Sorry Rooster,

I read your comments as “I’m not sure I tend to agree with Craig…” My eyes skipped over that critical word “but”…

#24

Guys,

I’m just really pleased you have the time to keep up with some rookie from Scotland!

Thanks for all your input!
G

#25

Thats some impressive work your doing Gavin . Love your attention to detail .

#26

Gavin Smart said:
Guys, I’m just really pleased you have the time to keep up with some rookie from Scotland! Thanks for all your input! G

Rookie my butt!

If my memory serves me correctly I think perhaps a round of fresh pastry is in order for the help.

:wink:

#27

Wow Rooster, VERY well remembered!!!

That’s exactly right, I’m a baker and pastry chef by trade and we’re currently in the process of opening our own store here in Edinburgh. Give me a day or so and I’ll get the UPS quote to ship them international priority! :wink:

#28

Cupcakes??? Rooster loves cupcakes… :wink:

#29

Wish I could help because if I did I would say you need a diamond stack, some side rods and a boiler :wink:

Looking good so far.

#30

Thanks for the kind words guys :slight_smile:

#31

Ken Brunt said:

Cupcakes??? Rooster loves cupcakes… :wink:

No you and Andy (dad) are the cupcake hounds! I’m more into croissants myself.

#32

Nice kitbash!

The bell mounted on the nose is interesting, that’s something I haven’t seen too often.

#33

That is one very nice “bash”, Gavin… It’s coming along just super…

Wonderful attention to detail…

#34

Hi,

I just wanted to post a couple of pictures to show the progress so far on the N&W GP18 that I’m bashing.

I got some paint on her at last, and with the very kind help of Stan C. I have some N&W decals for her winging their way to Scotland as I type! Most of the work is done on this loco, I just have a nose bell to make and that’s about it for the detail work. This loco was converted for DCC and sound, but I just need to put back the LED’s I originally installed before I can seal it all back up again. The paint was a bit of a funny one though as I found it quite hard to match the original N&W blue colour, which almost has a slight tinge of purple to it in some photos. Anyway, I want it to look a little sun-faded so it’s not a big issue, plus I will weather the loco down too so that will help to hide some of my mistakes!

Thanks again for looking!

Here are some roof top shots showing the pair of 48’ cap top fans and the spark arrestors that were on these ex NKP locos:

PS: just as a quick thought… I made a few parts for this bash on Shapeways just for myself, but if anyone would be interested I would be more than happy to make them available. Please just let me know, G

#35

A great achievement Gavin and most certainly a labour of love. It will look even greater once the decals are applied. Curiously enough I was of the opinion that the pipe was a draining pipe, but am quite ignorant about the finer parts of diesel locos, even more so about those Stateside.

I have noticed your UK posts but I don’t look there often - is is a little too Euro for me.

#36

Thanks for the kind words Alan, much appreciated.

It really is a labour of love, but then without that what’s the point?! :wink:

Every time I bash a loco or modify something I learn a little bit more. I learn more about the prototype, I learn a few more modelling techniques, I learn a lot from the kind folk on these forums who help me along the way!

#37

Top notch work there Gavin. Looks like it turned out rather well for you.

#38

Thanks Dave!

To be honest, it actually turned out a lot better than I first thought it ever would! When I started, I thought I would just change a few little bits here and there, but the more I decided to do, the more I realised how much I REALLY needed to do!

The funniest thing about it all was that when it was prep-ed up, with filler here and bits of styrene there, it looked quite impressive. Even when I put a base coat of primer on it still looked quite good. As soon as I painted it though, everything just blended together and it suddenly looked quite plain! I mean I suppose that’s the object of the exercise, it it all looks like it has been always there then I think I must’ve done something right?

Anyway, thanks again for all your input and responses, it really is a pleasure to share it with everyone!

Best wishes,

G