I’m looking for a GP7 minus the dynamic brakes to do a double rhinoplasty with my Walthers GP9M. The GP9M cab and nose will be transferred to the GP7, and vice versa. Part of the reason I’m going through the trouble is to get practice with sawing and cutting, something I haven’t done before. I’ve found older Atlas, P2K, and Trains Unlimited locos that fit the description. Which manufacturer’s GP7 do you recommend I use?
My choice would be the P2K GP7. With these shells, you don’t have to cut at all. Each hood is separate from the cab, and the walkways as well. They lend themselves wonderfully to kitbashing. I’ve done several, including a GN prototype GP20 well before P2K came out with theirs. I used body shell parts from a P2K GP9 phase lll and the low-nosed original GP20 release. Easiest kitbash I ever did. Of course, then Walthers came out with the same model. . . .[sigh]
The Walthers GP9M has the wide hoods, and the cab doesn’t look all that good. If you want practice, try an Athearn GP7-9 shell for the cutting and fitting. The hoods are about the same width as the Walthers one. The Athearn dynamic blisters come right off, just have to cut out the raised fan platforn and make it flush with the long hood top. More practice.[:)]
I would say the P2K version for the same reasons GN-Rick described. Besides they are very cheap to purchase and except for the broken gear issue, which is a 2 minute fix they run great and seem to be very durable.
For kitbashing practice, pick up the cheapest, used old junkers you can find. You’ll have lots of practice cutting, gluing, detailing, painting, remotoring, etc., and it doesn’t much matter if you make a mess of it. Alternatively, pick up some shells for your existing locomotives. If it works, you’ll have another look for your current fleet. If it doesn’t, you’ll still have the original locomotive and some brand new experience.
Either way, have fun with it.
Chris
Actually I don’t recommand cutting up a Athearn GP7 because they are hard to find and still fetches a nice use price.That old GP7 seems to have a cult following since Athearn has discontinued them and not to mention they no longer make the handrails for these geeps.
I recommend the Atlas GP. It will run better than the Proto 2000 and can usually be found for cheaper.
David B
The blue box GP7 was a wide body and that is why Athearn is retiring them mercifully, along with most of the other wide body loco’s. RIP!