Hello again,
Just thought I’d update this post.
After receiving the locomotive shown above, I’ve discovered that it is in fact not a metal model. The frame is 1/4 inch aluminum and the body appears to be a very sturdy type of plastic.
Inside the shell on the frame is the text; “GP40” written in permanent marker (2nd photo) and the letters EM are engraved into the bottom of the metal fuel tank which is open throughout its length, as in the photos.
Unfortunately the locomotive had some minor damage from shipping, so I have had to rebuild the front section and do some painting to the undercarriage, handrails, (which are all brass) and install grease ports into the bottom of the Northwest Shortline trucks. The gears are metal but had never seen grease and nothing had been oiled on the motor trucks. All maintenance was completed immediately and the model runs flawless with unbelievable power. It pulled the test track off of a carpeted board with no weights and we couldn’t even hang on to the locomotive chassis.
I have a good portion of the parts I need, except L.E.D. headlights, (both front and back that Id like to replace the incandescent ones with) side grating for air intake, number boards, headlight lenses, windshield wipers and all cab windows. Cab windows and number board lenses are going to be a bit hard to find and install into a model that never had them.
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I found and added chassis parts and will add graphics and clear coat the engine before adding windows and lights.
Somehow I think this may have been an original but I’m still not sure of the manufacturer. Everything is so different than all the G scale manufacturers I’ve seen over the years. I hope the photos I’m providing will help someone determine the manufacturer.
The grating is going to be extremely tough to find and match and even though I’ll probably never get this engine perfect it should turn out ok, if I can get it refurbished.
I’m unsure that it is a 1/32nd scale model as you can see by the photo comparison provided next to my Great Trains Amtrak VIA Rail and even that it is a 1/29th scale model as in photo comparison of the Aristocraft BNSF Dash 9?
If I need to take further photos, please let me know because I’d be happy to do so.
Note that the chassis, motors and handrails are done, so I won’t be able to disassemble them again. This was a 6 hour job by itself due to the damage on arrival due to poor packing and shipping.
I have an LM2596 DC L.E.D. lighting board which is available on Ebay for $4.95 plus shipping to add L.E.D. lights. It can handle up to 300 L.E.D.'s. These boards are simple to understand, durable, and extremely easy to install, not to mention cost effective also.
I have them in 3 other locomotives and they’ve worked flawlessly for years. Here are some photos of the board as well.
Mine was originally purchased from Evan Designs (888) 764-2610 (M-F) 9a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central Time.
Painting the handrails was a bear because they had been glued in with a non-removable type of glue requiring them to be painted while still attached to the model.
I’ve got to find some matching touch up paint but that may be next to impossible.
