[John Hardcastle]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I completed my Mopac Mountain in S scale. This model is scratched built from the frame up. I worked to stay as close to the prototype through pictures and drawings. You can see the model run in this video on my YouTube channel. There are other short videos of the locomotive prior to painting.

https://youtu.be/OrypR8Nqb80

If you’re a MP modeler I believe you will like this build. Out of all my builds this one has become my favorite.

Thanks for watching my work.

[John Hardcastle]

I received the decals from him a week ago. I just about have the two GP 7s I will paint in the blue and gray scheme. I will post pictures of them when done.

I had him print two numbers to represent a the GP 7 with out steam generator and with. Two more numbers for GP9s.
I also asked for a pdf of the masking template which he emailed and I can print as many as I need. Now this was done in S scale but I am sure he can drop it down to N scale for you.

Mike S

[John Hardcastle]

I was requested to make a short video of the last build and so here it is. These are nothing more than run byes and some start ups. I also included some double heading with MP 1325.

[John Hardcastle]

David,
I just saw your inquiry about the blue and gray decal set for GP 7. I just want to mention that I will be contracting with Circus Decals this year to make those decals for me in S scale. If and when they get done I will post here. I have no idea what this will cost but he has done MP decals in the past and my private line. At this time he offers the GP 18 in Jenks in S scale decal set .

[John Hardcastle]

Thanks Jerry for your response. I have always liked the DRGW green boilers and after seeing a painted model of a T&P M1 with a green boiler I was just hoping that there was a slim chance that MP had a green boiler some time in its past.

[John Hardcastle]

This topic has been a great read. I did not know about the spring strawberry rush. What a great addition to an operations session. Can anybody direct me to where I can learn more about this strawberry shipping so I can add it to my small layouts operation?

[John Hardcastle]

HI Charlie,
Could you tell me how late that car operated?
Thanks
Mike Swederska

[John Hardcastle]

Thanks for letting me know.
Mask Island did produce the ART set for me in S. So I guess I am mentioning it for other S scale guys that might want some.
Mike S

[John Hardcastle]

I have made three of the steel dog houses in recent years and have really thought about making a kit in brass to offer. I also have been thinking of making a kit for the front throttle since I have had to make those enough to make me think about them also in kit form.

I was about to make another dog house for the 17b tender I just completed but was informed that there was no dog house until freight service in 1949-1950 on tender behind the P 73. Somewhere in the final years. So I opted to not go with a dog house on this particular tender.

Mike S

[John Hardcastle]

I decald my last to steamers with Jerry Glow decals. I reached out to Mask Island after the post here that the MPHS was having him do steam decals. I asked him about doing them in S and that I would take five sets but never heard back. In the meantime Jerry Glow reach out to me about doing them and since I am still building steamers I ordered from him, his decals will be arriving soon. The older sets of his that I had from way back worked and looked great. I did mention to him that the cooper rating and classifications that go on both sides of the cab just under the windows only had enough to do one side on his old set. He fixed that on the new set and will do both sides of the cab.

Mike S

[John Hardcastle]

I am calling this one done I did install the couple lift bar after I took the four corners photo. It’s ready for paint but that is for a time when I get the locomotive completed.

The tender was built from the plans in the PFM P 73 booklet.

[John Hardcastle]

Today I finish the coal bunker and the front top of the water tank. This concludes the tender body and now on to the frame.
I am thinking of making the dog house next as a subassembly.
In these three pictures the roundhouse crew moved the tender out of the house on some old ties. The look I was wanting and wishing for came through.

Mike S

[John Hardcastle]

Gary,
Thanks. This locomotive has a lot of my scratch built parts on it such as the dog house and rear headlight and stand and many more. I built this locomotive in the Missouri Pacific Lines family tradition.

Mike S

[John Hardcastle]

Since you all are discussing steam lettering. I have a couple questions also on this topic.

I just finished a 1300 and a 9700 steam locomotives and am in the decaling stage.
1. Where can I find the cooper rating for both locomotives?

[John Hardcastle]

The cab shades are ten thousand brass sheet. 98% of the locomotive was built using a torch. The copper look on the shades is due to over heating when soldering to the cab. The brass coloring will come back too the entire locomotive during the vinegar and salt paste step.

I was going to build a tender when a buddy sold me his spare CV tender that is proper for this locomotive.

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