Would anybody have any good suggestions for good starting points for engines relatively easily available used or new to get HO scale models of the two Minnesota Southern (MSWY) engines - one GP7, one GP9, both low nose - and I believe originally UP units?
I am contemplating kicking off my layout with a component of this short line from Manley in SW MN (BNSF interchange) to Worthington (UP interchange) w/ HQ in Luverne.
Walthers Trainline offers a GP9M. Affordable, but not highly detailed. If you don’t mind chopping your own nose, there are lots of other possibilities that come in the original high-nose flavor.
If this HO, the P2K GP7 and GP9(ph 3) would be good starting points. The You will need to fabricate the chop nose and that ‘CP like’ number board on the GP7. The #1365 is ex MILW 330, and #1379 is ex UP 729 from my research. Good luck with your project!
Richard,
I would go with Jim’s recommendations, if you want a more to scale model.
Is that an Exhaust stack coming out the Box behind the Conductors side on 1365 (where the modern ecfab box usually is)?
You can make the number boards from spare cab parts if cut carefully.
The noses are not that hard to shorten if you measure & plan for the pieces you need, one has marker lights & one didn’t.
If you want to do any significant modifications to a GP7/9, then you’ll want to start with either a Proto 2000 or an Athearn Genesis since they’re the only ones that you can cut back the skirts above the fuel tank on. Atlas has a one-piece molded walkway/frame/tank, while Walthers and Bachmann have the area filled in with metal for extra weight. Front Range frames are passable, but the tank shape isn’t quite right, and there are other problems with the air tanks.
Thanks for all the comments. It will take me some time to get moving (so says my 15 month old ), but will follow-up if/when I have some work product done.
I think I saw a few like those on te walthers flyers website, I think Bachman was one of the companies, and they had the short hoods. If they where ex-UP units, way not see of getting an UP unit, then convert it, it would possibly be more prototypical. I believe there was a recent articail about turning an ex seaboard unit into a seaboard coast line unit (I think if I remember correctly), that may help.
), but will follow-up if/when I have some work product done.