Stan
Superintendent
Posts: 150
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Post by Stan on Jul 26, 2009 11:40:13 GMT -5
Trying to build up loco based on this photo www.nslocos.com/ns5004.html I have an Atlas GP38 HH master series with some slight damage that I can use the frame and drive. Question, what sill and shell should I used to get as close to prototype as possible to start with?? Or do I need a different drive and frame. I want to stay with atlas drive if possible. Also I have a bit of experience now milling down atlas frames if need be to fit. Lastly, what truck sideframes are most accurate to this prototype? Stan |
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Post by rdg5310 on Jul 26, 2009 12:46:20 GMT -5
Hi Stan, Atlas makes the 38-2. It also has the correct side frames your referencing. I don't remember if they make that in a HH. Just take a peak at their website. If not, you can cut the HH from the old shell and mount it on the 38-2. Or use a Cannon HH, which is the way I would go.
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Post by MONONC420 on Jul 27, 2009 9:00:47 GMT -5
Stan
What I had considered doing was taking an Atlas GP38, using the DB and engine room section. I was going to cut up a spare kato SD38-2 Shell i had for the radiator section and the section just behind the cab. And then use a Cannon Cab, sub base, and nose, all on an atlas GP38 sill and drive. The GP38-2 that Ron is talking about is the train man version, it comes with the wrong anticlimber and the details are rather crude, and it has few incorrect dimensions. The trucks from the 38-2 can be oredered from atlas for like $8.00 a peice, and they will mount right onto the 38 frame.
Christian
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Stan
Superintendent
Posts: 150
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Post by Stan on Jul 27, 2009 9:48:23 GMT -5
Are the atlas Gp38-2 sideframes better than the GP38 ones. I ended up replacing my gp38 and gp40 ones with the athearn ones using the DW kit. Does Athearn have a gp38-2 sideframe set that can be used to do the same?
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Post by MONONC420 on Jul 27, 2009 10:29:16 GMT -5
I believe that they are the same. I like them and don't change them, but I realize i'm probably in the minority among detailers on that point.
Christian
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Stan
Superintendent
Posts: 150
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Post by Stan on Jul 27, 2009 16:34:27 GMT -5
Hows the level of detail on their gp38-2 shell? I dont mind replacing nose, cab, subase but splicing sections of the sides of the shell is still a bit beyond my level. Where would one get gp38-2 drawings that would accurately show where access doors, radiator grills etc are located. Most photos are at an agle where only certain details are visible.
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Post by MONONC420 on Jul 27, 2009 23:56:51 GMT -5
The biggest issue with the Trainman shell is that the Nose, long hood, and cab subbase are molded as one part, like an old athearn, not modular like the GP38 and GP40. The other issue is that the DB hatch is incorrect, which screwed up the engine room doors. Molding is not as crisp and the 38-2 also lacks tread plate. The other option that I had looked at was changing the cab and the section just aft of that and cutting in the water sight glass to get a "close enough" -2. The only reason I'm going to splice shells is the fact that I have a spare SD38-2 shell. lol
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Post by Randy Earle on Jul 28, 2009 0:07:08 GMT -5
Here's a pic of "THE WIDE ONE". It's an Atlas Trainman with a DA cab. When I snapped the pic I didn't have the camera level so the pic got "keystoned".  |
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Stan
Superintendent
Posts: 150
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Post by Stan on Aug 21, 2009 8:45:58 GMT -5
Sorry for the delayed response. What steps and treadplate did you use? It looks very nice.
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Post by graftonterminalrr on Aug 21, 2009 9:43:04 GMT -5
This appears to be an ex-SOU GP38AC. It's got some weird step wells and has Blomberg M trucks for some reason.
The Yahoo "SOUTHERNmodeller" group has information on a HH GP38 and GP38AC build including step by step photos. You do have to request membership, however.
Randy's GP38-2W build uses Cannon treadplates and I believe Railflyer stepwells.He's building the unit as a GMDD-built loco rather than EMD so that explains the stepwells.
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Post by Randy Earle on Aug 21, 2009 11:53:00 GMT -5
This appears to be an ex-SOU GP38AC. It's got some weird step wells and has Blomberg M trucks for some reason. The Yahoo "SOUTHERNmodeller" group has information on a HH GP38 and GP38AC build including step by step photos. You do have to request membership, however. Randy's GP38-2W build uses Cannon treadplates and I believe Railflyer stepwells.He's building the unit as a GMDD-built loco rather than EMD so that explains the stepwells. You are almost "right on" with that summation. It's going to be a GMDD built unit for my Ohio based River Run. It has a Detail Associates Canadian Cab and the steps are from Miniatures by Eric. The Treadplates are Railflyer. |
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Post by ssgburme on Aug 21, 2009 16:40:30 GMT -5
Hi all, I've found that the trainman shell has 19.5" wide grabirons? but.......detail associates sell's them too.
Karl
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Post by diesel on Sept 10, 2009 13:12:08 GMT -5
oh, if you want to change out those radiator grill to the 2 part waffle grill, which would I think make it a phase 1 unit... keep in mind the radiator fans are not so close together and are not so far back on the hood. Use pics to compare, it's obvious once you're aware of it.
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