Two more units

I spent much of my free time last weekend working on more locomotives. Starting with the GP9, I used a Proto 2000 model. This unit is a Ph III locomotive that came undecorated as a kit. After assembling the shell, I added a N&W-style nose bell and "firecracker" antenna from Details West. All of the KY&N's GP9's were delivered as "short hood forward", most other details were stock parts, such as the "oversized" winterization hatch for the 48" fans common on the later GP9's.

Once again, the unit was then painted Hunter Green and 1/8" yellow stripes were applied to the nose and long hood and bonded with Solvaset.

GP9 #553 was the 9th of 16 units built by EMD in March of 1958. Originally numbered 953, it was renumbered in 1960 after the last of the steam locomotives were retired.

The other unit I worked on is KY&N GP35 #622. Being an older Athearn "Blue Box" locomotive, this actually started as a practice shell I had modifications to in years past. I removed the nose headlight and filled in with squadron putty and sanded smooth. I also trimmed off all of the handrail "pockets" on the side sills and both pilots. After stripping the shell in 91% alcohol and cleaning, I added MU Hoses, Radio Antenna and 5-chime air horn from Details West. I also added cut levers from Details Associates.  

The standard Hunter Green paint was applied, as well as the 1/8" yellow striping. I thought it turned out pretty well for an old Athearn shell with well-documented scale problems.

GP35 #622 was the 3rd of 10 units built by EMD for the KY&N in April of 1964.

GP7 #321

The first unit to be painted into the standard KY&N scheme is GP7 #321. Using a Proto 2000 model. I stripped the Santa Fe "Zebra" paint off the shell using 91% alcohol. After thoroughly washing and drying, I added a N&W-style nose bell and winterization hatch both from Details West. Because all of the KY&N's GP7's were delivered as "long hood forward", I relocated the Leslie 3-chime air horn to a centered position just behind the dynamic brake fan. This was also a typical location for the B&O's GP9's.

The unit was then painted using Valspar's Flat Hunter Green (yes, from a rattle can!). Microscale's 1/8" yellow stripes were applied to the nose and long hood and bonded using Walthers' Solvaset. The numbers came from an old set of Virnex yellow numbers.

Eventually, I'll have a custom run of shields and lettering for the long hood, I plan to get 8 or 10 units to the same point as #321 before I finish lettering and reapply handrails and whatnot.

GP7 #321 was the 7th of 10 units built by EMD in August of 1952. Originally numbered 721, it was renumbered in 1960 after the last of the steam locomotives were retired.