Custom Paint jobs?

[Anonymous]

Hey!

My ebaying skillz was able to net a couple of Tyco Union Pacific GP20's. While I got one cleaned and lubed, I have been considering taking one and giving it a custom paint job.

Problem is, I'm fighting myself over this.

on one side, I could have a custom locomotive, nice and shiny, bearing another proud railway logo. [:D]

On the other hand, I might ruin the value of the loco itself, and the collectibily of it. If I don't do a good paint job either, I might have wasted a good GP20

Another factor is detailing. Where could I get decals for it?

I would greatly apreciate talks for and against this.

[Anonymous]

Paint can be stripped off. So if you have some skills you can probably do it and always start over if it is real bad. Are these locos really collectables? Microscale is a great decal Mfger. They have hundreds of decals. You still need to make your own mind up about doing it. I would suggest starting with a box car first.

[DSchmitt]

The vast majority mass produced model trains (and even most rare models) will never be collectors items. Tyco products are probably less likely to become really valuable than many other brands, but you never know. When it comes to things like this its better to live for today and not worry about future value[:)]. Besides you said you have two of them, custom painting and/or modifing the one could eventually result in the other one becoming more valuable. Conversely if you became very skillful and become known for your work the repainted one might increase in value[:D].

[ndbprr]

IMHO the only way you could get any value out of TYCO GP-20's would be to collect enough to tie them together and make a boat anchor out of them. But joking aside if you haven't painted a custom scheme before go slowly in deciding colors and complexity. My Allegheny Railroad was SP lettering gray hoods and Pullman green cab walkways and frames. Even masking that much got to be a pain after awhile let alone three or four colors and while the first one is exciting think of the ones after that you will have to paint and make it easy and realistic and you won't be disappointed in the long run. I definitely reccomend staying with available colors off the shelf also.

[AntonioFP45]

Puffie40, [:)][8D]

The Tyco GP20 is not a collector's item but the Body Shell is desireable. It's one of the better body shells that Tyco produced. The hood width is correct and the basic body detailing is not bad. Model Railroader had an excellent article in the late 1980s with photos on Detailing a Tyco GP20 in the Union Pacific scheme. You could e-mail Model Railroader and ask about this article. [;)]

By all means, it you want to repaint it and detail it, go for it! [C):-)][tup] Read my thread on stripping models with 91% alcohol. Decals from Microscale are numerous. Should be available at your local model railroad shop. Work slowly when installing Micro-Scale decals! Make sure you've got time on your hands and you are relaxed! They look great but "fast fingers" will stretch, wrinkle, or break them. [:0][B)][:p]

For body details, Details West makes many great parts that will dress up any HO model diesel. As for theTyco "truck motor, in my humble opinion, it's a junker. It's not very quiet or smooth running for low speed switching operations. Can't remember precisely but I think that with some modifications, this unit can be made to fit an Athearn GP9 chassis. It's up to you. You can keep the truck motor and upgrade later down the line. If your LHS rep is friendly, talk and get as many tips as you can. Most of us on these threads are still learning!

This should be helpful: Go to www.Railpictures.net When you get to the sight, go to the box that says "Enter Keywords". Type in GP20 and you will get a slew of nice shots of various GP20s. [;)][8D][:D][:)][8)][^]

Can you tell us a little of your intentions? Do you paint with an airbrush or spray cans?
Is there a particular road that you want to paint this in? Do you have a layout yet, or are you building up your rolling stock fleet?

Hope the info has been helpful. Write back!
Peace out! [swg][tup]

[Anonymous]

I was considering a BC rail job, but I am thinking of just painting it to CN rail colors. Black with Red nose and a red tail, Should be a piece of cake... [;)]

You say they are just about worthless, well, I had to pay $30us for these two. I'd say they where, uh, kinda expency! [:D]

as for painting, I was hoping to use testor's model paints. They are easily bought aroud where I live. (My town does not have any hobby stores. I have to go to calgary, 5 hours away) I was hoping to use a airbrush for the main part, then paint the tail and nose by hand. (Or somthing like that)

I Don't have much of a layout, but I model anything I can get my hands on. Right now, CP rail and CN rail are the majority of cars and locos I have.

If this goes well, I would definatly consider doing more!

[AntonioFP45]

Hey Puffie,

If you decide to go with Testors, use the Model Master series. It's pretty decent.

By no means is the GP20 worthless! My wife's cousin did a beautiful make over to a Tyco GP20. He stripped it and airbrushed the body into Amtrak's phase III scheme. He used the Micro-Scale decals. Amtrak never owned any, but he wanted a unit to switch Amtrak passenger cars on his layout. It's your railroad so what you say goes!

Since you live far from a hobby shop, consider shopping using the internet. Look for reputable internet dealers. Keep asking questions! [;)][swg][tup]