GP40-2

[Randy Earle]

How far off is Athearn's GP40-2?

[CIOR]

WAY OFF in my opinion.
I ditched all the ones I had. Even at the cost of the Atlas version, I still got a couple of them.
It seemed that the body was still fat on them and the cab seems a tad off as well. Just my opinion, the trucks are sweet, but that is where it ends for me.

[Randy Earle]

The Athearn GP40-2 has a too wide hood? I measured mine, it didn't seem fat to me.

[CIOR]

Apperance wise is what I mean.
The details all look bad in my opinion. But like I said, mileage will vary.
I guess if one would cannonize one completely then I wouldn't complain..LOL

[Randy Earle]

I was thinking of getting a couple to Wide Cab. I can't afford the new Atlas.

[johnnetzlof]

I have a 40-2 no cab, maybe I should do my -2L project on that? It's already got an NSLW can in it....cheaper than the Atlas models...hmm

[Randy Earle]

Sure, I can't afford them either.

[liquidfantasy]

I have a question related to the Atlas GP40-2:

Anyone has a sound unit? I'm looking forward to save some coins and get me a reading unit (another nice CR patch job to come..)

But recently (especially in the Atlas Forum) one can read some negative comments on the QSI ... SO I wonder if it would be better to get the loco silenced and put in some sound from the aftermarket or to go with the QSI straight away?

Thanks all,

[antlorch]

I would buy the non-sound unit and get a Tsunami sound....i don't know if anyone on here has heard one yet but they are awesome and if you get the new square speaker ( I will try to find the name of it,which has alot of base sound for a little speaker) it sounds super real........
I have a friend that works at the local hobby shop and it put the 710 version an kato SD80MAC ,it almost sounded like I was standing trackside,it was that real...........the horn sounds like a real horn and not an electric made one.......
Thats my suggustion,I believe that is money spend wisely on that sound system......I think the price starts off at $119 for the decorder and $12 for the speaker..................

Here is a link fo rthe decorder...
www.soundtraxx.com/products/dcc/tsunamidecoders.htm
Here is a link to the speakers....
www.railmasterhobbies.com/Speakers.htm

[liquidfantasy]

it will be tough anyways ... I mean expensive ...

that speaker looks good, but you really think it'll be better then the double speaker the QSI equipped locos have? And then comes the size of the bass reflex speaker, looks huge and I think I will have to do a lot of milling inside the long hood?

[chessie8553]

IMHO, the Athearn GP40-2 is OK. It would take a little work to make it really shine, but they aren't so bad. Of course, it all depends on how much detail you want or how much extra work you don't want to do. If you just want a "runner" moreso than a contest-quality model, the Athearn is fine. Heck, I've even got one masquerading as a non-Dash 2 GP40. Hopefuly they'll sieze the opportunity and put out a phase II version under the Genesis line perhaps.

[liquidfantasy]

I doubt that Athearn will invest into the GP40-2 in near future since Atlas launched the GP40-2 Phase I quite successful and now the 2nd run. I can imagine quite good to have a Phase II anytime soon. (was the same with the ALCo C420 - phase I was first, then came phase II, then again phase I with high hood engines ... geez do I love the SusQu high hood....)

But what I want is a locomotive which can be put as accurate to the prototype as possible with my limited funds. Secondary it must be VERY reliable and easy to maintain (we operate a larger modular show layout). And I want it in Reading paint scheme + eraly conrail (no quality)

I'm not that professional to see the details between both locos as I don't own non of them now, but I was reading that the Atals is much more accurate?