Building a MP GP-12 (1078) Phase III

[peggyrothschild]

The second GP-12 should be somewhat easier as all I need to do is follow the steps in doing 1065. In this case the subject is a Phase III with the large Alco number boards on the ends. I won’t drag you through the various cuts, parts, etc but just touch on the differences between the two models. Another Bachmann RS-3 is the basis as its suppose to be the most accurate RS-3 and I’m familiar with how to dissemble it and wire in the decoder and speaker. The NYC paint wasn’t as easy to remove as with the CP shell not sure why as it was a new bottle of 91% alcohol. As noted in the photo caption the correct headlight is on the NYC model but also see it on the Boston and Maine, Interstate and Seaboard carbodies.

I used a metal ruler and new Exacto blade and scored several cuts along the walkway and just above the access doors. Also behind the radiator louvers and where the crew cab starts. These cuts help guide the micro-saw so there’s no mistakes in cutting out the Phase I doors.

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[peggyrothschild]

After removing the Phase I sides and squaring up the opening I added the Stewart Phase III sides in the openings. Unfortunately the Stewart sides were 4” short so I glued a piece of Evergreen 4” x 4” to the top so everything fits. You’ll notice the Alco fan is being removed and the grids on the the carbody.
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[peggyrothschild]

Minor updates. Bought a package of Cannon 36” fans. I’ll have to drill through the fan box to allow for the ‘see through’ effect.

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[peggyrothschild]

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Anyone have better photos of what these filters looked like? I’m wanting to replicate them in HO.

[peggyrothschild]

Ordered a package of Archer louvers of various widths so will use those for the external filters. Got the decoder installed tonight and set the CVs the same as 1065. Waiting on some parts and then almost 75% finished. [attachment=2:wpg0cq7o]8100534B-1FD7-4393-BBD7-88C4376CA3B3.jpeg[/attachment:wpg0cq7o]

There’s no room in the Alco carbody for much else than the Soundtraxx decoder. Cut the crew cab area down as shown here and give yourself enough wiring to the speaker so it fits here. Also place the decoder as far back as possible so it’s not in the crew cab as the speaker needs the room. [attachment=1:wpg0cq7o]F451A055-06C6-4CF0-B142-AB9AC0AFF853.jpeg[/attachment:wpg0cq7o][attachment=0:wpg0cq7o]E121041F-275C-4549-A946-9747BB4CC7A6.jpeg[/attachment:wpg0cq7o]

[princessclyne69]

Re ‘what these filters looked like?’

Here are a couple of eBay photos taken from good angles. The louvers are stamped from sheet metal, bent at top and bottom and (welded?) over the filter openings, with a couple of tabs on each side for the longer ones, acting as standoffs. Chances are, just as much air flowed in from the sides as through the louvers, but I think their purpose is to keep large objects (enginemen’s elbows) from pushing the screens in.

Note the difference between the two units. I wonder if I have or can find photos of most of these units to track which ones are which.

RG7[attachment=1:13preqsk]MP 1069.jpg[/attachment:13preqsk][attachment=0:13preqsk]MP 1074.jpg[/attachment:13preqsk]

[peggyrothschild]

Ron
I’m not sure Alco called these Phase I, IIa and III but modelers do. The 1069 is a Phase IIa and 1074 is a Phase III. I’m waiting on a set of Archer louvers and think I can replicate this with some Evergreen plastic. Building models of these locomotives certainly highlights the differences.
– note the headlights are different
– 1069 doesn’t have the large Alco number boards in the corners
– Fuel and air tanks are two different designs
– 1069 have a polling pocket 1074 doesn’t

Thanks for posting these,
Charlie

[princessclyne69]

Here’s the other side of the 1069 in Wichita. Guess I can’t really say I hadn’t ever seen this one before…..
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1070 is similar. These are both MI, and had the sublettering stencils in the early 70s.
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I never photographed the 1078.

RG7

[peggyrothschild]

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Most photos of the Phase III I’ve acquired are of the engineer’s side but finally came across this photo of the fireman’s side. In comparing this phase to the Phase I and IIa there was two additional rectangular boxes added to the walkway. I’ll replicate these with Evergreen styrene and modify the handrails to fit. Note too the hand grabs on the short nose do not wrap around the corner but come up the side for access to the sand box.

Here’s a few internet shots to determine better what these boxes looked like and where they were placed on the carbody.
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Am also going to tackle making four of these. [attachment=1:ah2i8j9f]A44022AB-5BF5-4656-9F05-6AAADB5CC793.jpeg[/attachment:ah2i8j9f][attachment=0:ah2i8j9f]C0804F67-CA4C-46FA-A618-E9DDC5C83811.jpeg[/attachment:ah2i8j9f]

[peggyrothschild]

Added the additional box behind the fireman’s door, added the exhaust and spark arrestors and the fans. I decided against using the Cannon fans. They look great but I would have to cut two large 36” holes in the block of plastic and didn’t want to run the chance of ruining the model. Will tackle making up the four side louvers the Mopac added during the rebuilding. [attachment=2:v7tk75on]1D22FE56-E579-41DD-848C-BFE1581E40EB.jpeg[/attachment:v7tk75on][attachment=1:v7tk75on]53D1E0DC-FE07-4F47-B434-23E37ACA035F.jpeg[/attachment:v7tk75on][attachment=0:v7tk75on]ACD9E377-E35C-4172-BB30-A3D14EC3E87C.jpeg[/attachment:v7tk75on]

[peggyrothschild]

[attachment=1:2n584os1]5D5C5D6F-D60E-42A1-AE25-995403162A9D.jpeg[/attachment:2n584os1]Here’s a shot of how I made the added louvers before spraying them with Tamiya primer. These are Archer resin decals part AR88056. I bought the set that provides 5 different widths. [attachment=3:2n584os1]1A603673-1D0E-4C78-942C-78ED1C83CB4D.jpeg
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[peggyrothschild]

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You guys have any thoughts on how these are made. I have the Alco number boards. Is the angled sheet metal open on top? Appears that the sheet metal closed off the back but I can’t tell if it’s curved to match the back of the number board.

I’d remembered tonight the NMoT has a Mopac RS-3 with the large number boards. Here’s some shots I found that gives a little more information. I may wait until I get to St. Louis and measure these
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[peggyrothschild]

Adding the hand grabs on the short nose. Judged from the prototype 4502 where the bottom rung started and then measured 18” up for each rung. #79 drill bit used for the wire rungs and larger for the plastic NBW bits. Scrap 2” x 10” used to ensure each rung was spaced away from the carbody the same distance. Next the long hood and the add the handrails back on.
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[peggyrothschild]

Added a couple coats of blue tonight. First was TruColor Eagle Blue with a few drops of light gray added. Then over sprayed Jenks Blue around the sides so I hopefully get some variations in blues for later weathering.

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[peggyrothschild]

Microscale Mopac decals being adding; the front and rear chevron stripes are going on much quicker since I have 1065 to use for reference. [attachment=0:1x3du22f]E488822B-2E13-4F57-939D-CA585610E78E.jpeg[/attachment:1x3du22f]

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