Building ARR 2504 GP30u as of August 1984 by Pat Durand

Alaska Railroad acquired a single GP30 #2000 Blders #28171 in 3/63 ending a near 10 year period with no new power units. She arrived in Whittier on a rail barge and came to Anchorage under tow. There are photos showing her in brand new paint being unwrapped at the Anchorage shops. As delivered there was no plow but in time the ARR shop built plow was installed with it cut into the step wells.

In late 1975 the GP30 was rebuilt internally to GP35u standards and a winterization hatch was added extending behind the dynamic brake housing. The modified GP30 was then renumbered to 2504 to fit in the ARR roster with its three other GP35 sisters 2501,02 and 03 which had arrived new in 1964 and 1965.

Alaska Railroad retired 2504 in 2001 and the only GP30 to serve the line was sold as scrap to Alaska Metals Recycling.

The model 2504 is based on a photo by James Caflin from the Dean Motis Collection taken in Anchorage August 11, 1984. A Life Like PROTO 2000 GP30 undecorated kit was the starting point. A Soundtrax DCC 2nd generation EMD sound system with Turbo and leslie horns was installed. Space for an oval speaker and enclosure was created by cutting away part of the frame weight under the fans and over the rear headlight lens.

Additions include the winterization hatch, beacon, firecracker antenna, speed recorder,5 chime leslie horn, lift rings, mu stands and hoses and the custom Alaska RR plow. The front steps are filed back to fit the contour of the modified PL-120 plow which was filed to a more critical angle and plated with a new .010 styrene face to match photos. The two rectangular windows with radius corners were added on each side of the cab and glazed with press in plugs held in place with Micro Crystal Clear. Paint was CNW Yellow and Engine Black finished with Microscale decals.

Parts List:
Life Like: GP30 undecorated kit

Miniatures by Eric H23 5 chime horn

Detail Associates:
2206 Eye bolt lift rings
SY2212 Coupler lift bar
FA2013 Winter Hatch

Details West:
SR-284 Speed Recorder
RA-157 Firecracker Antenna
PL-120 Snow Plow (Modified)
SL-172 Step Lites

Overland: 9101 Beacon

Soundtraxx DCC 2nd Generation Sound DSD-LL110LC

To remove the body and steps from the frame, take out the coupler screw and pull the coupler draft gear out with the couplers. Pry off the fuel tank and remove the two screws holding the frame to the body. The fuel tank is held in place with archival mounting clay which is reusable.