Modify a Diesel Locomotive
American Models has long offered a well-detailed, great running EMD GP-9/GP-18 in S scale. For the stan- dard locomotive the appropriate grills are put in place by the pur- chaser as desired. The separate parts for the dynamic brake fan and vents provide similar options. To go beyond the EMD model as delivered, Des Plaines Hobbies of- fers conversion kits and detail parts that open a realm of possibilities. Use of only some of these offerings delivers a range of alternate model locomotives. The low nose kit only produces locomotives that received chopped noses in re-buildings. The GP-20 long hood kit could provide a high short hood GP-20. The all-brass hand rail kit could be simply an up- grade to the stock unit from the plastic hand rails provided by American Models. While not a part of this conversion project, there is a conversion for the cab-less GP-9 B-unit. Begin by removing the hand rails
and stanchions and remove the shell from the chassis of the locomotive. For this project, the original hand rails and stanchions will be replaced with brass wire and fittings. The cab is also removed and set aside for use in the finished model. Cut the short hood area of the body shell per the instructions with
Careful cuts will make it easier to apply the replacement parts to create a modern GP20.
the conversion kit. It is recommend- ed to use a new fine tooth saw blade so that the cuts will be as clean and precise as possible. Cut away the original hood from the shell at the point where the nose meets the walkways, keeping the blade of the saw flat against the running board to assure the straightest and smoothest cut. After pre-assembling the top, sides and nose of the low nose kit, making sure that every- thing is square, test fit it to the short nose area of the remaining frame. For working headlights on the fin- ished unit, the headlight openings
must be drilled out from the head- light and number board casting. The front of the headlights are convex with a small flat area centered in the diameter that facilitates center punching surface to start drilling the holes. Start with a #71 drill and work through larger drill bits to a #49. Use a round needle file to finish the hole to match the casting’s rim. Then drill a appropriate sized hole in the flat cab front window casting to permit the snug fit for the mount- ing of the light bulb from the inside of the shell. Fitting the lamp into the hole will allow for replacement in
s10 BUILDING IN S SCALE • SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN MAGAZINE
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