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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.

GP9 Frame - Top and Bottom Side

 

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

 

Last edited by skray775
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I have done a little more work on the frames.  The steel frames were bowing like a banana from being milled on one side and that was using hot rolled steel. 

 

I went back to the aluminum frame with a screw in weight trays or steel weight, haven't decided yet.  I have added a couple of holes at the ends of the frame for posts like the one in the assembly rendering.  The post can hold a tray that can support batteries or a decoder. 

 

The rendering shows a weight tray on the left, and a steel weight on the right. I will choose one or the other and include them with the frame.

 

I will keep you posted. 

 

 

Attachments

Images (2)
  • GP9 frame v4: Version 4 of the GP9 frame
  • IMG_2651: Styrene frame parts added
Last edited by skray775

I emailed Kelly over the weekend and here is what he had to say. (perhaps evident just from the pics to many but not me.)

 

I have never seen the brass frames in person but it was my understanging
from reading several build threads that you had to cut and glue on all
of the underside frame detail from styrene.  My frame includes the main
beam detail already milled into the frame.  You would still need to install
the center section of the frame per your prototype but that is just 2 pieces of styrene.  

This frame also has the wire channels built into the top and provisions for a
post and decoder tray to mount electronics to.  

This all started because the brass frames are no longer available.  Brass is to

expensive in the raw material form so I choose aluminum. 

 

Frames are $78 plus $6.50 each.  He is more active on the yahoo P:48 forum.  (I hope he doesn't mind me divulging this info but it seems like this would only help!)

Last edited by webfoot

"This all started because the brass frames are no longer available."

 

   If someone is building up a high powered model a metal frame might be worth the trouble but it's not always necessary. I ran my Red Caboose geeps for years with the stock frame and never had a frame problem. The only thing I'd change for sure is the stock wheelsets, they pit badly and are hard to clean...DaveB

Thank you all for the kind words.

 

Some background... I have a CNC milling machine that I built myself a couple of years ago. I build custom homes for a living and do CNC work for fun, and to keep sharp.

 

The Red Caboose GP9 is actually my first O scale anything!  LOL  I wanted to try O scale and started asking questions about loco kits on another group.  I was pointed toward the Red Caboose kit and a list of common upgrades.  Everything was available except the brass frame.  It was my understanding that the stock frame suffered from the lack of weight and the tendency to sag in the middle over time if weight was added.

 

Once I had my kit in hand it was time to mill out a frame for myself that included some of the underside detail that the brass frame did not have. While asking questions and posting pictures on another group several people started to ask if I was going to make them available so I decided to do a limited run, those frames will be available in a few weeks.

 

I have been taking pre-orders with the understanding that the first run will be ready in a approx. 4 weeks depending on the holiday delays.

 

If anyone is interested please email me off list and I will send you details. 

Last edited by skray775

"The Red Caboose GP9 is actually my first O scale anything!  LOL  I wanted to try O scale and started asking questions about loco kits on another group.  I was pointed toward the Red Caboose kit and a list of common upgrades.  Everything was available except the brass frame.  It was my understanding that the stock frame suffered from the lack of weight and the tendency to sag in the middle over time if weight was added."

 

 A lot of O scalers are obsessed with weight so I'm sure they could bend one of these if they tried. I ran mine as they were designed and other than the wheels they were trouble free and a great running little loco. I'm sure the guys wanting to trick out their locos will be glad to have a new source of metal frames since apparently the old one has dried up.... .DaveB

 

Hi Guys,

My email is kelly.regan@verizon DOT net. Remove the DOT & replace it with a .

 

I was able to spend a little time working on my model. Two 1/4" aluminum

posts drilled and tapped to accept 4/40 screws make up the radio/dcc

equipment posts that fit the pre-drilled holes in the frame.

 

I used styrene to test fit the equipment  tray.  Clearance from top of

the tray to the inside top of the loco shell is .95 inches, plenty of room

for batteries etc.

 

 

I hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas.

Last edited by skray775

Hi Guys,

I just received word that someone that purchased a frame

thinking it would fit with the original stock trucks.

 

As with the aftermarket brass frame my frame is designed

for the P&D Hobbies drive/trucks.  I am sorry if I did not make

that clear.

 

If you have ordered a frame thinking it will fit the stock

trucks please email me so I can send you a refund before

I ship your frame.

 

Last edited by skray775

Hello Everyone,

 

I wanted to pass along that the frames are now available online at the link in my signature.  The site is very new and a little sparse on content but it is a work in progress.

 

Next up will be a gear reduction kit with ball bearing supported replacement towers.  I believe one of the pictures on the site shows the prototype tower on one end of the locomotive. This particulate loco was converted to P48 but that isn't necessary to utilize the gear reduction.

 

O Scale metal frame upgrade for Red Caboose GP9

Last edited by skray775

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
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