I finally finished my pair of GP49s #2801 &#2805. This brings my GP49 collection to five including the two Robert Krol custom made and the Overland 2804.

I bought the book on EMD GP49s to help me in decaling, appropriate parts and placement. Had some coaching from Pat Durand. They turned out pretty nice!

As to the way I kitbashed the GP49s - I first started with two GP50 Phase II engines and one GP38 frame. I needed the GP38 frame to model the first order GP49. Taking the GP50 Shells I removed the cabs, cut off two of the fans, modified the dynamic brakes on the right side of the shell to make the Awning with Smoke Deflector fit. Next, I built the EMD Dash 2 cab adding detail parts, oscillating dual headlights, dual headlight Pyle vertical with shield, air vent, cab sunshades, and cutting a piece of 5/32 channel strip styrene for the strobe light behind the lights) at the top of the cab. I let the glue dry and then mount it onto the GP50 shell.

Taking the shell and a #80 hand drill bit, I drilled the holes for the grab irons and angular fan irons. I inserted the grab irons and glued them from inside shell. I mounted a 48-inch winterization hatch and awning with smoke deflectors. I then washed the shell in mild dish detergent and let dry. I began painting using white and then Reefer Yellow. I masked off the appropriate areas for C&O Blue. While waiting for paint to dry, I painted all the detail parts such as railing, Nathan 5 chime and 3 chime horns, XL ARR snowplow, radio antenna (Firecracker), coupler lift bars and MU stands. After waiting one to two hours I removed the masking tape and fixed any overspray. The next day I started decaling using Microscale Alaska RR Loco #87-280 and Data of EMD & GE Diesels # 87-527. Next, I added detail parts and railing. After assembly of railing I used a dremiel cutting wheel to cut front and rear end railing to glue a section of safety chain in place, modify snowplow and glue to shell. Then I then sprayed everything with Dullcoat, painted the trucks silver and assemble the engines.