Hello Everyone,
This is my first post so let me introduce myself. My name is Kelly and I have been modeling in HO scale for many years. Recently I decided that I might like to try my hand at O scale 2 rail. Having exactly zero O scale equipment I thought P48 might be the way to start out. My first purchase was a Red Caboose GP9 GP9 kit.
During my research I discovered that a metal stiffening frame that was being sold was no longer available. No problem... I will make my own, it always starts this way !!!
With the input of several people on the P48 group I designed a frame for the Red Caboose GP9 that has the main frame beam detail already milled in. I was encouraged to Incorporate wire slots on top of the frame for ditch light wires.
In the picture above you can see both the top and bottom side of the frame.
The top (inside the loco) has two weight pockets milled into the surface to accept the steel weights. You can also see the channels for ditch light or other wires. The channels allow you to remove the loco shell without disconnecting wires on the loco shell.
On the bottom side of the frame you can see the main structural beams from the prototype have been milled in place along with various clearance pockets for the weaver trucks and the fuel tanks. The large center hole is for speaker wires.
Kelly
