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Post by motorailer on Aug 12, 2016 15:26:14 GMT -5
Hello Everyone I have been gathering the parts for three Smokey Valley frisco gp 15s for a couple of years. I know the Athearn is a beautiful model but like most of us, I'm on a budget! Besides I enjoy building and fiddling so I'm going the Smokey Valley route, I have everything I need except two #56 frame kits. I contacted SV and was told the company that molded the frames for them went out of business and they were sold out and would not be stocking them anymore, so here's my questions, 1. does anyone in the group have any of the frames laying around, I'm glad to pay for them. 2. Has anyone fit a SV shell to a Walthers gp15, is it possible, feasible? I see the walthers loco's on ebay often for under 30 bucks. 3. Any opinions or ideas are welcome and appreciated, Thanks in advance for any and all help! Craig
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spike
Chairman
They say I can't be Spike anymore, so Mr. Burns it is!
Posts: 561
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Post by spike on Sept 3, 2016 4:38:45 GMT -5
I have a SV kit, including the frame, which in on my to do list. It was designed to use Athearn Blue Box drive, but the motor cradle looks like a can motor should be glued in. No provision for the rubber mounts for Athearn's motor.
If you can't find a Walthers or Athearn GP15 frame, maybe a shortened GP40/50/60 frame could be used. Even better might be the A Line GP60/ GP40X ex Rail Power frame.
One last thought is that the GP9 frame might have the right, or close wheelbase. Cut down the fuel tank, and buy a plastic one which is the modern profile to fit over it.
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Post by Randy Earle on Sept 3, 2016 16:23:18 GMT -5
I have a SV kit, including the frame, which in on my to do list. It was designed to use Athearn Blue Box drive, but the motor cradle looks like a can motor should be glued in. No provision for the rubber mounts for Athearn's motor. If you can't find a Walthers or Athearn GP15 frame, maybe a shortened GP40/50/60 frame could be used. Even better might be the A Line GP60/ GP40X ex Rail Power frame. One last thought is that the GP9 frame might have the right, or close wheelbase. Cut down the fuel tank, and buy a plastic one which is the modern profile to fit over it. Use the frame with a can motor, RTV silicone to mount the motor, and use a pair of Athearn trucks with the universals.
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Post by cf7 on Oct 20, 2016 10:27:24 GMT -5
Or, you could use the Kato drive from a Stewart / Kato F unit like this one that I started building last week. The frame does require some grinding with a Dremel to get the trucks to fit. This is my 2nd with a Kato drive and fourth overall SV GP15 build.
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Post by simulatortrain on Oct 20, 2016 13:51:18 GMT -5
Contact Mainline Hobby Supply in PA. They have more shells/parts for the SV GP15s than I have ever seen anywhere else.
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Post by nwrailfan on Jun 26, 2017 9:22:11 GMT -5
Hey I see your post is almost a year old. I just joined this forum. I have a supply of the Smokey Valley GP 15 parts. Long story. Do you still need Smokey Valley parts?
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