grabiron size for dash 8 locos

[hoggerhead]

Hello,

I am working on an RPP Dash 8-40B shell making a Dash 8-39E based on BCOL locos. 

These shells do have some inconsistencies with the exact measurements of all the prototype addons.

I have bought a number of part sets of Epay.   I have replaced the low hood using an Atlas Dash 8 low hood as well as the cab.

I also bought a detail set consisting of all the grabirons for a Dash 8-40B.

So, are GE grabirons 17" as versus 18" for EMD?  I used my scale ruler on some diagrams I had at hand and they scaled out to about 15".

The author of an article I read lists DA 2202 grabirons in his parts list which are 17". 

Second, some of the grabirons in the above detail set are "slanted".  That is they are not "straight" as a DA 2206 18" grabiron.  This is the part of the grabiron that is pushed through the long end when they are CA'ed into the shell.  I am not really sure if they are meant for the long hood end.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Ian

[trev]

My thought is that unless one is a rivet counter,  a one scale inch between a 17 or an 18 inch grab iron will be hardly noticable

[hoggerhead]

Correct. And since the 17" grabirons have the dreaded "not available" on all the sites I have visited, then 18" is viable. The only issue though is the spacing of the 18" grabiron located next to the radiator flaring at the top of the Dash 8 long end.