Atlas CN GP40-2W
#1
It has been a while I posted here, but under the positive (and welcomed) pressure of Doctorwayne, I thought it would be nice to post about some of my recent projects.

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Many years ago, I acquired an Atlas GP40-2W. Like many people, I was a little bit disappointed by the crude cab thought I loved the smooth running drive. It stayed in my drawers and I almost bought an Athearn GP40-2W later until I found out their drive was not as good as Atlas and the fine details were far too much fragile. At that point I had no use for CN GP40s since my layout era was changeg to the early 2000s. Then I discovered GP40-2W did in fact visit my area in 2002 and that it could fit my layout perfectly. Back then, CN 9423 ventured in Clermont for a while as a backup locomotive.


Thus, I added a Loksound decoder in the locomotive and new speakers. I renumbered the locomotive using Sean Steele excellent CN diesel locomotive decals. These decals are hard to find are cost much more than your regular decals, but it is well worth the price. Sean took the time to replicate CN fonts instead of using generic Helvetica fonts. And yes, it matters because CN had quite a peculiar number "2" design that other sets generally fail to replicate. Given there is a "2" in 9423, it was important to me to get this right. In my mind, people won't notice a 2" lower frame, but will easily find out lettering isn't prototypical.

Atlas numberboards are factory painted white and a black layer is painted over it. This ensure they can be backlighted. Since I wanted to preserve that function, some Solvaset was used to remove the black layer. Once done, a new black decal with transparent numbers was printed then applied on the model. This way nothing is lost! I also went an extra step and created the numberboard artwork using a real picture of CN 9423. Can't be closer to the prototype! And makes aligning decals far much easier.

Interestingly enough, the prototype was heavily weathered and I though it would be a nice project to try replicate this. I used online pictures of CN 9423 to guide me. I was astounded by the amazing weathering pattern that developed on this particular locomotive. Both sides of the locomotive are heavily weathered, but not in the same way, which I find particularly challenging in a positive way.

So here are the results:

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Proudly modelling Quebec Railway Light & Power Company since 1997.

Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/

Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/
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#2
Great Detailing!
Glad you are posting again!
~~ Mikey KB3VBR (Admin)
~~ NARA Member # 75    
~~ Baldwin Eddystone Unofficial Website

~~ I wonder what that would look like in 1:20.3???
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#3
It's sad to see one of my all-time favourite paint jobs in that condition, Matt, but you've done a wonderful job of representing how some of them looked after CN went with what I call the "peeling paint" version (the CN North America scheme, with the map).

The changed-out section on the engineer's side of the hood, the snow shields and the sand fill hatches all contribute to making it look like the real ones did.  Nice job on the rust, too!

You did a great job, and and I'm pleased to see you back here, sharing your work with us again.

Wayne
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#4
(03-17-2019, 11:20 AM)doctorwayne Wrote: It's sad to see one of my all-time favourite paint jobs in that condition.

To be honest, I also prefer it in pristine condition, but the real one really had a lot of character with its patched replacement panels and peeling paint. It was quite challenging and took me several days to build each layer of weathering.

Matt
Proudly modelling Quebec Railway Light & Power Company since 1997.

Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/

Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/
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#5
while not a fan of heavy weathering you certainly captured the prototype well
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#6
(03-17-2019, 06:12 PM)jim currie Wrote: while not a fan of heavy weathering you centrally captured the prototype well

Thanks Jim! I'm also not usually a fan of heavy weathering since it is generally overdone and a caricature of the real thing. I far prefer subtle variations in hues to over the top rust buckets. However, this particular locomotive used to be a running piece of junk that indeed stood out among the other locomotives and rolling stock that were in good order on Chemin de fer Charlevoix (CFC). I tried to capture that and it was also useful to distract the eyes from noticing the dimensional errors on Atlas CN safety cab. I'll post other locomotives I kitbashed and weathered for the fleet and they are much more toned done. I do believe the key in realistic model railroading is keeping things subtle and mundane.
Proudly modelling Quebec Railway Light & Power Company since 1997.

Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/

Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/
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#7
Matt,

a well done weathering Applause  Worship
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#8
Nice weathering indeed.   Applause  Applause  Applause
Guy from Southern Quebec.
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#9
Photo 
Some more work on the locomotive roster:

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Slowly the CFC locomotive lashup is taking shape. This roster of engines was used between 2002 and 2011 until freight service was definitely put on hiatus.

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So far, GP40-2W is completely done while LLPX 1509 has decoder installed and weathering almost completed (still have to install rock lights). LLPX 1510 will soon receive its decoder and once done, layout operation will resume.

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I'm quite satisfied with LLPX1509 weathering. While I believe I went somewhat too far with color shitfing, I believe the level of dirty and paint defects is consistent with the prototype. Drawing the grafitti was a little bit tedious because I wanted it to be an exact replica. Later, when I weathered over it, it almost disappeared and it was required to redraw it yet again. Live and learn!

Matt
Proudly modelling Quebec Railway Light & Power Company since 1997.

Hedley-Junction Club Layout: http://www.hedley-junction.blogspot.com/

Erie 149th Street Harlem Station http://www.harlem-station.blogspot.com/
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