Two Times GP30 build

[torikoos]

He would pay for his share of details and parts, and in return for the work I was to keep one of them. I didn't think too long and so it was that I went home with two Lifelike Proto 2000 GP30s, one KCS and the other B&O.

The first job was to strip all the paint of both units, then add details as appropriate for SP/SSW GP30's.

Here's the start of the job with the most tell tale detail, the nose light packages: Nose job GP30's by Koos, on Flickr


A couple of months later, I was ready to paint, and so the SP grey was applied after the Scarlet red was painted on front and rear and masked off.
Pictures assorted by Koos, on Flickr

A few weeks later, I was making good progress on decals, and their identities became more apparent.
Pictures assorted by Koos, on Flickr

[torikoos]

Both of them were equipped with Loksound Select Direct decoders, using Sugarcube speakers (two per loco) and mini LED's with fiber optics for the lights.
Here are the decoders in place:
Lights construction by Koos, on Flickr

After assembly, I programmed and tested the units, and then applied some moderate weathering to reflect a well used life somewhere in the first half of the '70's.

GP30 completion. by Koos, on Flickr

Thanks for looking.

Koos

[torikoos]

And two more in better light.

More GP30 by Koos, on Flickr

More GP30 by Koos, on Flickr

Koos

[GMO-Frisco]

hi,

well done.

[doctorwayne]

Very nicely done, Koos.
I've never been a fan of low-nose GP30s, but your detail work and the Espee/SSW paint and lettering certainly make them a lot more palatable to my eyes.

Wayne

[nachoman]

Unlike Wayne, the GP30 was always one of my favorites because it's unique look No other GP can be confused with it. GP35-38-40 all look about the same unless you start counting grills and fans, as do GP-7-9-18-20.

Nice work on these!

[e-paw]

nice stuff

[torikoos]

Very nicely done, Koos.
I've never been a fan of low-nose GP30s, but your detail work and the Espee/SSW paint and lettering certainly make them a lot more palatable to my eyes.

Wayne

Same here Wayne, they are not my favourite either but it was fun to work on. I agree that the SP/SSW paint and details make them look better and working on them they have grown on me a bit. Thanks for your nice comments.

Koos

[Brakie]

Very nicely done. The downside is-------------------------------------------------------------------I can remember when GP30s was brand new. :o

[doctorwayne]

Very nicely done. The downside is-------------------------------------------------------------------I can remember when GP30s was brand new. :o

Then I'd say that the upside is that you're still here to do that remembering.

Wayne

[faraway]

Very nice detailed, painted and lightly weathered models. The SP light and lamp orgy is always outstanding. Do you intend to install a dozen LEDs?

[torikoos]

Very nice detailed, painted and lightly weathered models. The SP light and lamp orgy is always outstanding. Do you intend to install a dozen LEDs?

Thank you!

They already do :-) Nose , rear and gyra lights are all operational with SMD warmwhite LED's. :-)

Koos

[faraway]

.... SMD warmwhite LED's.....

I was shopping for some SMD LEDs too and had to learn a new language:

"clear white" = blue
"warm white" = white
"most warm white" = yellow

It is annoying when the color temperature is not specified in °Kelvin.

[torikoos]

true, you never sure how warm is warm etc...

For what is worth, mine are 'warm white', they're not pale, they hint towards yellow, I find the balance good. The supplier I use is expressmodels in the UK, their led store shows various sizes of LED's, micro and mini leds on leads, and the warmwhite have a good colour temperature.

here's a test shot during construction to give you an idea:

Lights construction by Koos, on Flickr


Koos