GP38 and GP38-2 Differences

[cbq2bn]

From a model, what are the differences between the GP38 and 38-2 from looking at um?

[chessie8553]

There are several differences that vary as the models have gone through different design phases, but the major ones that come to mind are:

*Battery box/cab sub bases: On the -2 units, the battery box on the left side is longer than the other side. On the older GP38/GP38AC, battery boxes are the same size. Later versions fo the GP38-2 used different methods to fasten the covers on to the battery boxes.

*Radiator section: The GP38-2 has a more compact radiator with the fans spaced closer together vs. the GP38/GP38AC. Also, the arrangement of the doors under the grilles are different (a minor detail, IMO).

*Dynamic brake hatch: As the GP38 evolved, the d/b hatch changed from one that looked similar to that of an early GP40 with a relatively long "blister" to one that had a shorter blister and a paper air filter. This later version was carried over to the 38-2.

*Cab: Dash2 EMD cabs have a slight roof overhang on the rear.

*Blower housing: The bulge on the left side of the GP38 received a pair of stiffening ribs on later production units. This would also be carried over to the Dash 2 line.

*Water sight glass: This was a standard feature of all Dash 2 EMD's but was also an available option of pre Dash 2 units.

*Trucks: With the Dash 2 line, EMD introduced its modified Blomberg M truck which featured a dampening strut on one end and replaced the old leaf springs with a rubber pad suspension. These trucks also had one composition brake shoe per axle. The old Blomberg B used a pair of cast iron shoes per axle. Although the M truck was standard, many Dash 2 units rode on the older design.

Now after 1977, there would be more changes:

*Short hood: New AAR safety regulations ("Clean Cab") required that some equipment be moved out of the operator cab and placed in the nose instead. This resulted in the nose being lengthened from 81" to 88". An anti-climber had to be added to the front end to maintain walkway width not to mention that it is also a safety feature.

*Radiator screens: Up until this point, the GP38-2 used radiator screens that were similar (although shorter) to the old GP38/GP38AC. The are commonly referred to "chicken wire" screens. Starting in 1977, EMD used a corrugated screen cover. Being that EMD's are modular in design, you may see an older Dash 2 unit that had been fitted with the new screens following an outshopping.

There are actually a few other changes, but I'll leave it at that. As you can see, as EMD's go through the production process, a lot of little details change here and there.

[cbq2bn]

Thanks for the reply,
I was just wondering as if there was only a couple little things about taking a GP38-2 and re decaling it for a GP38 unit I want, but maybe I'll hold out and try and find the this unit first.

[chessie8553]

Thanks to Cannon & Co, it is possible to back date a GP38-2 to a straight GP38 (of course, you could just get the Atlas model and be happy). But many have done this and I actually have two Athearn BB GP38-2's that are in the process (albeit delayed) of being back dated. My models will depict a couple of Chessie 4800 series 38's because they have a similar styled d/b hatch. I will leave the radiator grilles, fans and doors as is (I think Athearn's fans are look pretty good especially after weathering) but will replace the long hood end, cab, sub-base, and nose. The electrical cabinet and generator door are also different, but I may leave them as is - same with the blower bulge.

[chessie8553]

Clean cab refers to locomotive cab designs that improve safety for the crew in the event of an accident. Some of the design features include rounding off sharp corners, and improvements to the window glazing (on GE's, they even eliminated the two small outer windows on the cab sides). Some equipment, specifically the water cooler and radio, were removed from the cab altogether and placed in the nose which resulted in the 88" low hood. The high hood units of the SOU and N&W retained the 81" nose length as there was enough vertical space to accommodate the additional equipment.

[cbq2bn]

I have the Altas model in question with the correct road number I wish to model, but I'm not really sure these (have three) I belive to be the Atlas/Roco era units) are not headed for the Leasing block as I'm not really a big fan of Atlas Units, Maybe if I hold off on it and see how they run once more with Athearn units and compair the detailing, I might change my mind..
Unless I find the Athearn BN 2075 PP unit first.

[chessie8553]

I saw an on-line article once (perhaps it was on the LV Historical Society site) where Jim Six kit-bashed a GP38AC - externally identical to production GP38's at the time - using shells from Atlas/Rocco and Athearn (GP38-2) and an Athearn GP40-2 frame. It's interesting to note that despite the similarities between the GP38/38-2, the two share very little sheet metal. It's like the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable: the same but different.

[deez]

As I recall, the first two or three months of GP38-2 production in '72 still retained the older style GP38 radiator section with the two widely spaced fans. '71 is a special year for most EMD locomotives produced in that 12 months. It should be the first year of AC models. The first year that had the two blower bulge support ribs. SD45's and GP40's got longer dynamic housings in the front just like SD40-2's. A very cool year to model EMD's!

[Stan]

Not trying to hijack your thread here but I read that the Atlas GP38-2 shell has some dimension issues and the C&C cab doesnt fit it well.
Is this true because I was in the process of acquiring parts to build a
NS ex Sou version.

stan

[deez]

Yes, the C&C cab has to be shimed at the bottom I think the same goes for every Atlas Master or Trainman loco if replacing with the C&C cab.

[cbq2bn]

Always my luck when I ask about something like this,
I didn't really think this would be as easy as scratching off a rivit or two to get a GP38 lol.....

[chessie8553]

Sept 3, 2010 13:51:54 GMT -5 cbq2bn said:

Always my luck when I ask about something like this,
I didn't really think this would be as easy as scratching off a rivit or two to get a GP38 lol.....

That's why it's commonly said that EMD really stands for Every Model Different.

[sd45longhoodfoward]

sound like Fords to lol

[cbq2bn]

Well this is getting tiring.... posted twice to this here, one vanished and one didn't load :-(

maybe I just need to forget this unit, it's cursing me... lmao

I just posted a wanted again in yahoo so will see what happens,
I'll find one i'm sure before I go and just do a BB GP38-2

[Stan]

Is the Athearn shell a better starting point than the Atlas GP38-2 shell?

[cbq2bn]

Somebody emailed me and said they don't think anyone did a factory 2075 in this paint,
that could be so, But I recall seeing this unit inthe engine case at the hobby shop back in late 90s,
But I have a guy that did contact me that has a custom painted one, just waiting on pictures and pricing now, so I might get one after all :-