Locomotive guide??

[Anonymous]

Hey folks,
Something I'm always wonder is why is "such-n-such a loco" called what it's called. For example...what makes a GP38-2 a GP38-2. When were they built. Who used them? For what purpose? When did they start to dissapear, etc. etc. I'm not specifically wonder about GP38-2s but pretty much any older locos...especially the stuff from the 60's-70's and early 80's.
So...to my question...is there some book or online place that would answer all these questions for me?

Ryan

[Anonymous]

Kalmbach publishes several books that might help. See this link:
http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/railroading-books-railroad-reference-series.html
Magazines such as "Extra 2200 South" and "Diesel Era" will also provided in-depth information. Online sources can be reached by doing the appropriate searches.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help...I'll hafta check on that Diesel Era magazine. I've never heard of it.
I just ordered that book so now I'll be a little more informed! [D)]

[Tom Bryant_MR]

I just purchased an Atlas EMD GP38 in N scale. I was looking for a switcher. ref: http://fp.users.fast.net/jprock/cr_gp38.htm.

[Anonymous]

For "Diesel Era" go to the following link:

http://www.witherspublishing.com

[Tom Bryant_MR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tom Bryant_MR

I just purchased an Atlas EMD GP38 in N scale. I was looking for a switcher. ref: http://fp.users.fast.net/jprock/cr_gp38.htm.

Update: Received loco late last evening from Discount Trains Online. Decided to unbox and try it out this am (Saturday). Anyway, put it on the DigiTrax prog track to see if I could read back the default address (s/b 03 for Atlas w/Lenz decoders). No such luck. Command station says there is an open on the prog track. I tried my other Atlas engine and it read back fine. Putting the GP38 on the main track and finally after rocking back and forth many times the lights came on .... but no motion ... just a kinda of whirring noise when an engine is power cycled. I still cannot get the prog track to read back anything from the GP38 so I suspect a bad connection internally. As I have never opened one of these gizmos I am undecided. Should I pop the hood (and then how) or send it back.

I've noted several other posts in the forums about people needing help trying to figure out how to open these locos. I'm also N scale.

Any advice is appreciated.