Detailing RF&P Geeps Part 2

Last August I did a in depth article on how to detail RF&P GP40's and GP40-2's:
Detailing RF&P GP40's and GP40-2's Part 1



Towards the end I talked about the rear horns on the GP40's and GP40-2's.  Now, no retailer makes this particular horn.  So a scratchbuilt one will have to do!

Rear of #145 (Bill Griffin Collection)

Rear of GP40 #126 (Bill Griffin Collection)

Two GP40-2's tail to tail (Bill Griffin Collection)

I have done this horn a few different ways and it really stands out on the RF&P locomotive.  Recently, I found the better way possible to mount it, so it can be still attached to the locomotive.  The method is the same as in the first article but an small piece of wire was glued into the back of it.  I started by using a Atlas stock horn.  It's the horn that comes on the Atlas GP40's and GP40-2's.  You can order them from Atlas.   Cut the mounting tab (discard) and the lone rear chime off.  Glue the removed chime (or another chime from another horn) between the 2 remaining horns. You might want to drill a hole to glue the chime in.  It stays in place better.  Let this dry for a hour or so.  Then, below the chime you just added, take the smallest drill bit you have #79 for me, and drill a hole.  Insert a 1" piece of wire and glue.  The small wire will be what you insert into the loco to help the hold the air horn assemble stay in place.

Get some scrap styrafoam and insert and paint.  It's easier to do 2-3 at a time so you can equip your whole fleet!

From the above prototype pictures, It's a hard to see the middle chime, but it's there.

Put tape on the bottom of the foam so it does blow away when you paint it!

After it has dried, trim the wire with about a 1/4" remaining.  Drill a tiny hole in the rear of the locomotive slightly above the rear head lights.   Insert and glue.