Buillding a M-420

[Ian MacMillan]

I have recently been hot and bothered all about CN's M420's. These were pretty much CN's loco on the Berlin Subdivision, and ended up being St. Lawrence & Atlantic's choice as well when they took over the Berlin Sub.

How would I go about building one, or a close resemblance?

[vt_railroad_guy]

I have recently been hot and bothered all about CN's M420's.

+1

[Lemosteam]

Whats an M420?  Love to se a proto shot for us steam heads...

[Scottl]

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=33819&nseq=8

I've never actually seen one.  I think they ran in the east, while the GP38s ran in the west.

I feel like I've seen a kit or something for one of these....  Thinking, but hopefully others can figure it out first.

[Lemosteam]

Scottl, Thanks.  Interesting shot with the "matching" F b unit behind.

[Scottl]

LOL, I did not notice that, and there is an LRC behind it.

[mandealco]

Hi Ian
It's pretty much a scratch build job if you want one that's close.  The Atlas B23/30-7 is about the right length, and if you get one with the FB-2 trucks, they can be made to look like MLWs truck.  The cab is noticeably different from the GMD version.
The cab on the HR-616 is the same, and I built one about 10 years ago using an old GP-38 cab for memory, though it really only contributed the sides.  The rest of the cab was made from styrene, not a difficult task as the panels are all flat.

The hood is a little tougher, but there could be a hood out there with doors that would be close.  The grills and radiator can probably be made from rearranged Atlas Alco parts.

A Canadian firm, AMM, made an M-420 kit years ago, also an LRC.  I still have the LRC, for what it's worth, but I sold the M-420 about 8 years ago when I thought Kaslo were about to make an N-scale one.  It was a bit rough, but better than nothing.

Good luck with your project.
Cheers
Steve
ME and my Alco

[Wardie]

When Kaslo was talking about doing an M420 kit in N scale I believe the Atlas B30-7 was referenced as the closest donor for a mechanism. I am going off of memory here, I think that was the mech anyway. So I guess you could start with that and then some Atlas Alco shells and plain styrene. Hard call Ian. Back in the day when they were new they ran all the way into Portland ME on the Grand Trunk as run through power on the 393/394 trains.

I would like a trio or quartet myself for GT service.

[Ian MacMillan]

Good points guys. 

Looks like I am going to have to scratchbuild. SB'ing kits I can do, but motive power I have never tried before. Is an Intermountain SD40-2W cab even close to start out with?

[Scottl]

I would start with a Kaslo Canadian cab and mount it to a donor hood unit.



The windows are the issue, I think.  I did the marker lights with decals.

[mandealco]

Nice looking GP-40 Scott.

The cabs are similar in concept, but share little in detail:  Roof profile is shallower on the MLW, class light area follows the line of the hood top, the edges are sharper.....  But it is similar at a glance.  I found a pic of my old AMM model, I'll post it later.
Cheers
Steve

[Ian MacMillan]

I would start with a Kaslo Canadian cab and mount it to a donor hood unit.

OK I was thinking the samthing. Kalsos website doesn't have any ordering possibility anymore, where's a good place to pick up one of the kits?

[Scottl]

I have bought them from Credit Valley

http://cvrco.com/

and Central

http://www.central-hobbies.com/products/kasloshops.html#NCab

Both are great by my experience.  I can send you the marker lamp decal file when you need it.

[Ian MacMillan]

Thanks much Scott

[lock4244]

OK I was thinking the samthing. Kalsos website doesn't have any ordering possibility anymore, where's a good place to pick up one of the kits?

That'd be a mistake, Ian. Similar to starting with an F7A's cab/nose to build a C-Liner. The MLW and GMD comfort cab share paint and little else, from the contour of the sheet metal corners to angle of the slopes on the cab and nose roof.

GP40-2L:
http://www.railpictures.ca/main-page/cn-514-on-its-daily-chore-with-a-super-gp-40

M420W:
http://www.railpictures.ca/upload/3566-and-an-alco-booster-by-the-sand-blaster-about-to-be-picked-up-after-a-repair

If you forge ahead and meet with success, cast it... I'd sure be interested in them. Have a number of B23 and B30's that were cores for the stillborn Kaslo shell.