FInally!

Completing a project is always fun and satisfying. I'm probably not the only one who have more fun when he runs models he upgraded, bashed and tweaked.



Bachmann GP9 is a nice model for the price. The only problem is that running qualities can vary from a model to another. Same can be said about motor noise. Except that, this particular Bachmann's offering lend itself naturally to super detailing.

I already said I wasn't trying to get a 100% prototypical model out of this engine. Getting a general CN look with the right details in the right place was the main goal. Louvers and handrails aren't correct, I know it, I can live with it. If you don't plan to install sound in them, the bill for parts would be about 25$ per units + decals and paint.



Both locomotives are equipped with Tsunami Soundtraxx decoder. Jeff Boudreau from Modèle BT did the installation and adjustments. I'm really satisfied with his work, it really brought these engine to life.

I consider they are complete, meaning all paint and details are done. However, they will need a coat of dullcote and some heavy weathering to look like real CN locomotives from the 80s (see Doctorwayne's picture in this thread). Those who survived in the wet noodle paint scheme were dirty as can be.



My only regret is that is you sum up all the expenses to get a "decent" stand in, it is almost the same as the new announced prototypically accurate canadian Athearn GP9. That's really frustrating, but it is always like that. You work hard to get something not on the market and it pop up just after you complete yours. That means I should try to build a M420!



Anyway, I'm still liking the job I did. I practiced airbushing seriously, messed up the thinning and got coarse finish. Learn and live they say! Also, I took more care when installing details, taking them to tune them up and pin them to get a better bond with the model.



That said, I think this model would fare nicely on any canadian layout if you're not too much into rivet counting! If I'll get an Athearn GP9 in zebra stripes? Well... that could happen...

That's a really nice looking job Matt. Where do you buy your supplies? Locally or do you have to mail order?

Genetk44 Wrote:That's a really nice looking job Matt. Where do you buy your supplies? Locally or do you have to mail order?

Gene, every single decent hobby shops in Quebec City closed down one after the other during the late 90s and 00s... Only the worst one survived with puzzles, R/C and other ready-to-use stuff. The kind of place that doesn't do refund, won't allow to test a new loco on a track, every item is sold well beyond the MSRP, parts selection inexistant, only casual ready-to-run stuff and built-up buildings, etc. I only buy some paint, styrene shapes, glue and overpriced Dullcote there. When I was a kid, there was about 6 shops and a few department stores with a sizeable selection.

I miss the days I could walk down the shop, explain my project to the store clerk and look through piles of parts and catalogs. I could spent hours and didn't see it goes by. But I must admit, order delays were getting ridiculous, about something like 6 months or more to get brass parts. I'm not a patient guy! But I'm happy to have known this era where shops were like candy stores (Wow, those rows of unbuilt Athearn and Roundhouse shells displayed with taste in glass cabinets were probably was impacted the most my child brain). If was a good way to be exposed to the many aspect of the hobby (and exotic roadnames like Amtrak, UP, Great Northern, etc. for a kid who only knew the wet noodle!). Nowadays, when you do a web searches, everything is related to the entry. Harder to discover things you didn't know before if you don't take extra steps to find more.

Thus, I've been ordering almost 100% of everything on the web since 2007, mostly from USA, Canada and UK. Happily, Internet is no more the faceless thing everybody used to fear (Big Blue is a good example) . I got to know other people and dealers who are pleasant to deal with as it was with the old folks in my town. For decoder, I subcontract to a friend's store in Drummondville. And it's been about 5 years since I walked into a store in Montreal. Though VIA Rail's prices are getting quite interesting now and competitive with autobus and cars to some extend. There's always a good reason to take a ride on a train! ;-) I feel pressure from railfans to visit clubs in Montreal area. Would be nice. It's a shame I never had the chance to see AMFM in its glorious days.

Matt

Really nice job. I like it.
As far as getting it to look protypical, modelers have been dealing with Athearns "close enough" models for years. Its only recently that Athearn has been getting thier shells more protypical with correct width, grills in the right places and correct amount of engine room doors. The re-tooling of their GP-35 and finally actually modelling a GP-9 insted of the GP-7 and calling it a -9 are two examples.

eightyeightfan1 Wrote:Really nice job. I like it.
As far as getting it to look protypical, modelers have been dealing with Athearns "close enough" models for years. Its only recently that Athearn has been getting thier shells more protypical with correct width, grills in the right places and correct amount of engine room doors. The re-tooling of their GP-35 and finally actually modelling a GP-9 insted of the GP-7 and calling it a -9 are two examples.

Thanks. Funny you mention the Athearn GP9. This set will replace a set of old BB Athearn (well, they serve us well!).

When I started in this hobby many years ago, getting a decent model looking like the real thing was enough for me. That means a close enoug cab, general shape of the hood, paint scheme, etc. Moving from trainset F9 to a Athearn Dash 9 was a great deal of improvement. Imagine when I bought a P2K GP18 when I was 15 years old!!! Wow! (and it was full of "mistakes"!) I think we learn to appreciate little details with the time and that OK. Trying to bite more than you can chew at first isn't always a good thing. I think this Bachmann set is the "close enough" models of our years and a good way to improve doing little things right like installing brass and wire details better than just using a blob of CA!

Matt

Completed project!

Weathering per prototype to represent an early 80s look.







I also gathered some courage to rebuild for the third time my Sylvan resin PSC caboose. A new sturdy interior beam helped to get rid of a nasty banana bend on the frame. It was my first resin kit 15 years ago and the model is plagued with obvious mistakes. Hope to get some replacement one day, but for the moment, this one should do the job.



Electric pickups will have to be improved, so they are unfortunately not ready for operation yet.

Matt

Very nice weathering. I like it.

Looks great with that photobackdrop :-)

Hi,
those are looking great.....

Cheers,Chris

Thanks guys!

Twist Wrote:Hi,
those are looking great.....

Cheers,Chris

And they sound great when paired together. I tried them on the layout yesterday, I guess we will have some fun with them.

Matt