Looks like I may win an ebay auction for a RTR GP35. Gulp, didn't do my homework first, looks reasonabily good to me but... What is the general opinion, RTR GP35 a good choice or not?
The early runs was a hit and miss on QC and operation. I haven't heard that much about the later runs.
Good luck!
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I believe the Athearn RTR GP35 is based on the old Rail Power Products shell, which may not be up to every one's standards.
Some will say they are perfectly happy with them, others not so much. There was a lengthy discussion here if you want to read it:
http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/4463/athearn-rtr-gp35-re-retire
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
The later runs should be better and are equipped with DCC Ready plug and play.
riogrande5761 I believe the Athearn RTR GP35 is based on the old Rail Power Products shell, which may not be up to every one's standards.
When I get out of the extended care nursing home I will close a trade for a Kato GP35.
Those too are no longer up to everybody's standard but,they can't deny Kato still has a top line drive.
I have one of the later ones that was "DCC ready" with the "quick plug" and the hex shaft driveline. It ran OK but was noisy. After doing the "Athearn Tuneup" a couple of times it quieted down for a while. I found that the motor was very noisy and I finally gave up and replaced it with a Kato motor. It now runs as silently and smoothly as my Atlas engines. It lacks detail but it has grown on me and I like to use it for switching chores.
Joe
BRAKIE When I get out of the extended care nursing home I will close a trade for a Kato GP35. Those too are no longer up to everybody's standard but,they can't deny Kato still has a top line drive.
Larry, please get well soon!
AFAIK, the choices for HO GP35s are:
Athearn blue box wide body
Athearn RPP RTR
KATO
Walthers
MTH
Bachmann
Walthers is the newest version out but limited road names and availability and not cheap.
Bachmann ymmv, but they never had a reputation for high fidelity shells.
Athearn rtr shell is of rpp heritage, ie not state of the art, tooled what late 80s, early 90s? Athearn early RTR chassis had a reputation for being noisy, some called coffee grinders but sometimes not.
I have hung on to my 4 KATO GP35s, they have a smooth quiet drive and decent shell although tooled some 30+ years ago.
There still isn't a top notch GP35 yet on the market of Genesis or ScaleTrains quality. One can still hope.
Excellent discussion! Most appreciated! My local road has some Conrail locomotives in their livery, including GP30, GP35, GP38-2's, and GP40-2.
Which GP38-2 or GP40-2 models would you recommend given that I am mostly interested in a smooth running locomotive and a reasonable looking model (definitely not a rivet counter...)? My max budget is $100 for a DCC ready model. Thanks so much for the advice! Oh, my new loco will be consisted with a P2K GP30 after the conversion to DCC.
I have one of the latest run Athearn GP35s and mine is an excellent runner - very smooth and quiet.
IDRickWhich GP38-2 or GP40-2 models would you recommend given that I am mostly interested in a smooth running locomotive and a reasonable looking model...
Mechanism-wise, it's hard to go wrong with Atlas. I have several Atlas GP40-2s and they all run great with almost no maintenance issues. I've had to tear into my Athearn Genesis GP40-2 to fix loose wiring. In both cases the GP38-2 is the same mechanism.
You should be able to MU any of these with a P2K GP30 with the right CV adjustments.
Rob Spangler
IDRickWhich GP38-2 or GP40-2 models would you recommend given that I am mostly interested in a smooth running locomotive and a reasonable looking model (definitely not a rivet counter...)? My max budget is $100 for a DCC ready model...Oh, my new loco will be consisted with a P2K GP30 after the conversion to DCC.
Well, how 'bout one of the Proto 2000 GP38-2s? They run very smoothly and some can be picked up for <$100 on places like eBay. IIRC, I paid $65 for an NS version 10 years ago.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks Rob, couple followups:
How do I determine if the Athearn RTR GP35 is a recent run or earlier run?
Have you noted poor running performance of atlas locomotives post 2014? Seem to be several complaints about a new motor in this and other forums.
Good suggestion on the P2K GP-38-2 Tom! I like my P2K locos and have been searching for a GP38-2. There is one on Ebay right now for $119 or best offer.
IDRickHow do I determine if the Athearn RTR GP35 is a recent run or earlier run?
I'm not sure how you tell from looking at the outside, unless you know which paint scheme was released when. Internally, the wiring on the newer ones looks better, without the notorious motor clip on the PC board that tended to come loose.
Have you noted poor running performance of atlas locomotives post 2014?
I personally have not. My newer examples did seem to require a bit more running in to get smooth like the older ones, but other than that I can report no issues.