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ATSF GP35u 2890
I built this model circa 1990 to get a scale-hood-width GP35, as all that was available at that
time was Athearn's "wide-body" blue box model. The construction diagram (bottom of page)
reveals the shell is a shortened Atlas SD35 nose and hood grafted onto an Athearn
GP35 walkway and pilots, plus a Cannon & Co. thin-wall cab kit. This model won first
place, diesel category, at the 1991 NMRA-PCR Coast Division meet in Richmond, CA.
I consider this a "legacy loco" - this model is not up to snuff for operating
on prototype-based Free-mo layouts. So it lives in my home display case.
Eventually I'll build a more accurate GP35u from the WalthersProto model.
I built this model circa 1990 to get a scale-hood-width GP35, as all that was available at that
time was Athearn's "wide-body" blue box model. The construction diagram (bottom of page)
reveals the shell is a shortened Atlas SD35 nose and hood grafted onto an Athearn
GP35 walkway and pilots, plus a Cannon & Co. thin-wall cab kit. This model won first
place, diesel category, at the 1991 NMRA-PCR Coast Division meet in Richmond, CA.
I consider this a "legacy loco" - this model is not up to snuff for operating
on prototype-based Free-mo layouts. So it lives in my home display case.
Eventually I'll build a more accurate GP35u from the WalthersProto model.
I hand-sketched this construction diagram for display with the model to illustrate the amount of effort I put
into the project, which is often lost on NMRA contest judges who may not be familiar with diesel kitbashing.
into the project, which is often lost on NMRA contest judges who may not be familiar with diesel kitbashing.
This unit represents an early-1980's GP35u with the intake shields behind the cab and exhaust deflectors
on the top. I scratch-built these from sheet styrene. The trucks, fuel tank, and drive are Athearn.
on the top. I scratch-built these from sheet styrene. The trucks, fuel tank, and drive are Athearn.
Below: I opened up the 48" fan housings and installed fans made from Athearn semi-truck wheel hubs and styrene-strip blades.
The grills are an etched brass product from Detail Associates. The 36" fan and the open exhaust stack are Precision Scale parts.
The grills are an etched brass product from Detail Associates. The 36" fan and the open exhaust stack are Precision Scale parts.
Left: The front received Details West
and Detail Associates ATSF-specific
details typical of the early 1980's.
The cab-side mirrors were hand-made
from styrene and brass wire.
and Detail Associates ATSF-specific
details typical of the early 1980's.
The cab-side mirrors were hand-made
from styrene and brass wire.
Right: The rear received the usual
upgrades - drop grabs, drop steps,
coupler lift bar, MU receptacle and
air hoses. Campbell scale chain was
installed on the handrail openings.
upgrades - drop grabs, drop steps,
coupler lift bar, MU receptacle and
air hoses. Campbell scale chain was
installed on the handrail openings.