Joe Atkinson     Eric Hanson

Modeling IAIS 468 in HO

By Joe Atkinson
More information on the prototype IAIS 468

IAIS GP8 468 is my first attempt at a Paducah Geep. 468 is a Phase 3 GP7, the closest model for which is a P2K GP7, which represents a late Ph. 2 unit. The P2K GP7 has 86" engine room doors and hood straps running up and over the long hood, fore and aft of the engine compartment. Ph. 3 GP7s such as 468 have 82" engine room doors and no straps. I happened to have an undec P2K GP20 long hood with matching non-dynamic roof hatch in my parts box, the engine compartment of which appears to be correct for a Ph. 3 GP7, so I spliced that into the P2K GP7 long hood.

Other modifications for 468 included the following:

  • Added Cascade & Pacific chop-nose kit, with windshield piece filed thinner
  • Altered side skirts to match the prototype
  • Added Custom Finishing #260 Horst air filter with hoods removed. I built new that covered the grills.
  • Added DW #176, a hood-side mounted bell, then added an air activation line.
  • Modified a snowplow that came out of my parts box, probably from an Atlas GP38, to better represent 468's plow.
  • Other details added as listed in the Detail Parts document located under Iowa Interstate/Locomotives

    IAIS 468 is now awaiting paint, decals, final details (such as grab irons on the hood ends) and weathering.

    Evidence of 468's ICG heritage showing through
    IAIS 468 resting outside the Council Bluffs enginehouse


    • Front right-side view.
    This photo shows the Cascade & Pacific short hood, battery boxes, and windshield/numberboard inserts, as well as the front pilot detailing.
    Roof details, including the spliced-in engine compartment from a P2K GP20, modified Custom Finishing Horst filter, DW bell with activation line added, and the exhaust stacks.

    Modeling IAIS 468 in HO

    By Eric Hanson