Building ARR 3003 by Pat Durand Oct 2008

The Alaska Railroad obtained 6 new GP40-2 locomotives in 1975. ARR 3003 carried builders number 74759-4.

As of November 2008 she is still in service. Many modifications have been made over the years of service. I chose the 1980 time frame for my prototype as best represented by the new HO Atlas model released in 2008.

The model started with the Atlas Master Series Locomotive-Gold Item #10 000 382 HO scale model of the Alaska Railroad #3003 HO GP40-2.

The 3003 never received the extra side windows of the rest of her class. Over time, all had the large L shaped engineers front cab window that is not represented in the Atlas Model. If you happen to have the cab off for some other reason these windows can be added. The rule of diminishing returns convinced me to defer adding the L window until some other future maintenance may require removing the cab.

The stock Details West WH-211 winterization hatch is too high and wide to fit the Atlas roof. Both problems are corrected by using a large flat file or sanding block to remove material from the bottom of the casting until the flange at the base disappears. Pop out the forward fan and center the hatch on the roof with the grilled end up against the second fan housing. To preserve the factory paint on the model I suggest painting the WH casting before installation.

After installing the end hand rails, I made up a high MU stand for each end. I used brass components from the Details Associates DA 101507 set and a stand of styrene box section scraped down to proper size. The 1980 vintage of the model does not have ditch lights yet but is equipped with the roof strobe light.

The large cab vent on the left side of the cab roof slope was simulated with two pieces of styrene.

The factory supplied plow is adequate for the 1980 period of my model. I suggest replacement cut levers custom bent to match photos of each end. Remove the frame mounted bell as it had been replaced by the cab mounted electronic bell.

Completion of the model requires addition of the detail parts listed below using the prototype photos for placement. Careful painting of the added details will save the nice factory paint job. Minimal weathering will enhance the project.

Parts list:
Details West
WH=211 Winter Hatch (Thin down by sanding the bottom)
SR-284 Speed Recorder (front truck right rear journal)
EB-337 Electronic Bell
RA-157 Firecracker Antenna
SL-172 Step lights (One mounted on each side at bottom edge of the frame centered below the cab just to the rear of the jack pads.)
AH-327 Air Horn Leslie 5 Chime
RB-306 Beacon (Careful about mounting the beacon as it is right over the front headlight)

Details Associates
DA101507 MU connectors
DA2206 Eyebolts (Replace plastic lift rings on roof and mount cut levers with them)