I want to model a Kyle GP40. This is my first time detailing and custom painting. I have an Athearn GP40-2, and I can get a undecorated shell for $12. I am thinking this would a great project for a beginner since it is only about an $12 lost if I mess up versus messing up an entire locomotive.
Is there any major visual differences on the -2s, that would show the locomotive isn't prototypical?
I might eat my words here, but external differences were too minor to be concerned with. Most of the differences were internal. Electrical upgrades mostly. Dash 2 modular electronics specifically. I worked on both 40's and 40-2's. The external difference I am most familiar with is the classification knockout high on the rear nose. Most railroads chose to have class lights set lower but the option was available to have it high. Otherwise, I am not familiar with any exterior differences.
Oh. Come to think of it...trucks might be a factor. All GP40's had Blomberg B trucks, (inboard and outboard brake fixtures on all wheels), and on GP40-2's the Blomberg M, I believe, was the standard (inboard brake fixtures only). Railroads had to choose otherwise... like Conrail, who used Blomberg B trucks on most GP40-2's.
Alright...I'm a fallable human. Compare radiator grilles as well.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
I think that all the -2 engines had an oval sight glass opening on the right hand side of the long hood, about 2/3rd of the way down from the cab, if the short hood is the F end of the engine. Disclaimer: I model nothing past 1967, so my chanches of having a -2 is slim.
Paul
Dayton and Mad River RR
Google EMD GP40-2 and it lists the differences. Minor if you don't care, glaring if you do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_GP40-2
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
-2 vs. Non-2 spotting features for *any* second-generation EMD models:
- Sight glass on right side of long hood on -2s
- Overhanging lip on rear of cab roof on -2s, flush on non-2s
- Larger battery boxes on -2s (lines up with cab front on non-2s)
Upgraded trucks may or may not be a reliable spotting feature of a -2s, but since this is more likely a date of production thing, a non-2 is unlikely to ever have them, but older style trucks may or may not be a reliable indication that it's not a -2.
Class light locations or radiator grills are other options or date-of-production style changes, not model spotting features, though this is again a case where the non-2 is not ever going to have the newer grill styles, but an older style grill is not a reliable spotting feature of a non-2.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
The old Athearn GP40-2 is an early version. I think this was to leverage it to be a stand in GP40 from time to time. If this is your first model you will detail, i'm inclined to say that it could be a stand in for a GP40.
If you ever get to the point of being concerned about some striking details that define a GP40, atleast to me, are the door arrangement under the radiator grills. The rest of the Athearn GP40-2 could easily be sanded, slighlty modified to represent a convincing GP40 IMHO
Chris P.
Thank you all who have responed so far, your post have been extremely helpful. Looking at the photos, I think the slight differences wouldn't matter at all. I found a good picture:
http://goo.gl/aZrt2C
A frame is $10 so I will probably get it as well, and find a good deal on trucks (eBay?). I will use the Athearn older GP side frames which are blomberg Bs. I will also change the radiator grills,when I detail it. The doors maybe slightly different, but that would really stand out. Only the door counters, sorry rivet counters will notice
In the 2000+ era I am modeling, these locomotives would have ditch lights install. Is this correct?
In the good quality photo http://goo.gl/aZrt2C (from RRPictureArchieves), the trucks are Blomberg Bs. The first axle on the first truck has a speed recorder. I am not sure what is on the first axle of the second truck. Can anyone identify what this is?
I knew I would eat my words with this one. LOL!
I guess when you've worked on locomotives like the GP40/GP40-2 as an electrician, you tend to notice internal differences more so than external. I think most locomotives had variations on them that were the choice of the specific railroad, options as they may. What I've been doing for years is getting a model as close to photos of what I'm looking for and modify from there. Then there is another side to this all. Is anyone other than you...going to notice whether not not you're on target.
Kyle...I believe what you are seeing extending downward at axle 3 could be the hose for the crackcase breather.
I looked at my GP40-2 and compared it to the photos of Kyle GP40s. When I get the undecorated model, the sight glass will be filled in first. The battery boxes look almost the same except for the -2 doors are bolted on versus the GP40s are hinged. How hard would it be to change the doors?
The Athearn GP40-2s have Blomberg B trucks.
The radaitor grills on the back will have to be changed.
I have been debating weather I want to change fans. Currently, I am thinking they look fine, and I won't change them.
I noticed that the roof overhangs the back wall of the cab like you guys described. I think I should be able to sand that portion down so it is flush with the cab. Will that fine?
I will add MU cables, ditch lights, and a snowplow to the front. I will add wire grab irons. I might also try to add the lights on the front of the short hood. Are those class lights? I have seen in photos that they are white.
I figured out that on rrpicturearchives.net, you can see the locomotives serial # andsee all the pictures of thelocomotive no matter which RR owns it. I got lucky, and the BPRR bought some Kyle GP40s and a few of them are still in Kyle colors. They have been updated to modern standards so no guesswork need. Also the picture quality and angles are better. Here is one of the photos http://goo.gl/L0YAaj (shortened URL). Are the yellow reflective strips are required by law? I pretty sure they are.
I am thinking this is how the locomotive would look if the Kyle kept them, minus the patch, and in a bit better shape. What do you think?