Next up is a kit bash of (roughly) a CN GP9RM. I didn't intend for it to be a CN until I realized all the things I was modifying were in line with what CN did. It won't be an exact model.
The base model is a wrecked Red Caboose GP9. It spray painted poorly and had a crack on the short hood. I chopped the nose, filled the old number board holes and patched up the various holes in the shell. Being a cheap project I just lightly sanded the shell and primed and painted directly over the old crap paint. New front cab windows were fabricated, dynamic brake fan was removed and plated over and new grabs and lift rings were installed. The long hood also routed a winterization hatch, horn and brake wheel assembly replacing the ratchet-style one. The cab number board housing was stolen off of an MTH GP20 and a scratch built all-weather cab window was installed. I later found out I screwed up on placement, interestingly enough although these got chop noses CN never changed the control stand placement so these units still were technically long hood forward operation so the all-weather window should be on the other side of the locomotive. Oops. The old Red Caboose frame was destroyed so I found a new one lying around. Steps and MU hoses were added and railings and coupler cur bars were fabricated out of brass.
Prototype pics
Thats where I am so far
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More to come