Lionel GP30 Fixed Pilots & Kadees - Updated 7/22

My bench grinder gets a work out with these 3 rail conversions.

I agree with Dave. Cutting the trucks deems to look like the best solution.

Ray marion

Who's Dave???? Lol

Correct Ray. The folks that are too concerned with "returning the model back to a lobster claw" will always have SERIOUS hart-burn over these beautiful up-grades!

Mario,  

 

What a great project!  I just wandered over here to ask questions about 3 MP15s that I am doing.  The pilot top and the frame do not have the same contours.  I see you did a step design.  It also seems like you guys just cut off the claw mounts and trim down the pilot.  I mocked this up last night.  I wish you had these for sale!

 

Dave 

Mario do you need a Lionel GP9 to create the spacer?  I will send you one if you need one.

Thanks David and T4TT,

I'm not quite ready to have them for sale yet, I'm on Rev 3 and not expected to get my own printer until next month. But they will come soon enough.  This should be the final revision and hopefully I'll be able top tiny some tomorrow.

I already have a few Legacy GP7/9s to get the design and because of the popularity of these, I guess I'll do these next.

Thanks,
Mario

Here's the final test fit before painting (painted them this morning)... The rear hole in each coupler box has been drilled / tapped through the frame to provide an attachment point and I think I'm going to put a few drops of thick CA towards the front of the step to provide extra support.

 

For the rear pilot, I did have to trim the pilot corners just a bit, but touched them up using a Testor's flat black paint pen and they look great.

 

Will post pics tonight when they're all done!

 

 

Lookin' good.....   

Prototype build is finished... just waiting on longer 2-56 screws to tighten everything up, close up those gaps and then on to production...

 

 

 

 

Looking good!

Looks awesome!

One step closer... I placed the PO for the printer yesterday.

Pics added at the top.

Nice!

 

Looking good Mario. Definitely do the GP7/9 and then GP35s. There are a ton of those out there. Now if someone could make a set of replacement handrails we would be in business

 

I'm going to print your parts soon. I just need to locate a good CP GP30.

 

Thanks for all your efforts.

Perfect timing. My printer is up and running, just installed today.

Check my other post for details.

Thanks,
Mario

PS- if you have access to modify the files, the distance between the outer holes should be 0.460", not 0.500".

Hey Mario. Have you made any progress on the GP7/9s?