Ended up getting some nice Diesels for cheap. Cheap enough I want to swap out the Shells for others. Open to fidning shells that will fit these. I was not able to find many shells at all. Like the Bachmann GE-8 I could only find the BNSF. Looking for shells for CSX, NS and Florida East Coast.
Gp-9 -Athearn: I have just the power assembly for this. Didnt even come with a shell.
If the shell is for the same type locomotive as the drive, you ought to be able to make it fit. For instance GP38 shells will fit GP38 drives. GP38 shell probably will not fit SD-40 drives. You may have to modify the mounting method, or drill and tap some new holes, or maybe some brand new mounting lugs or threaded holes to secure the shell. People often pick up a locomotive by the shell so the mounting needs to be strong enough to keep the locomotive together in one piece when this happens.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Bachmann currently has decorated GE Dash 8-40C shells on their website's e-store for C&NW, Conrail, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and UP, plus an undec so you could paint your own.
https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68_661&sort=20a&page=1
You could do a Google search through Wikipedia for the real thing wheel base comparisons and engine length but actual shell width is a manufacturer thing.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
dstarrFor instance GP38 shells will fit GP38 drives.
Athearn GP38-2, GP40-2 and GP50 fits the same drive or with some minor work the GP38-2 and GP40-2 will fit a Atlas GP38 drive.
Athearn SD40-2 and the SD40T-2 should share the same drive.
As far as Bachmann shells there's a dealer on e-Bay that sells locomotive shells at decent prices.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
The Athearn SD40-2T frame is longer than the SD40-2. The SD40-2 frame fits the Cary E7 shell but the SD40-2T is longer and won't fit. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
wjstix Bachmann currently has decorated GE Dash 8-40C shells on their website's e-store for C&NW, Conrail, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and UP, plus an undec so you could paint your own. https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68_661&sort=20a&page=1
The Dash-8 is the CW version. Only thing available is a Santa Fe on Bachmanns website
I would like to know if either the GE Dash 8-40C or even the Es44AC would even fit this frame.
Mel, Thanks for the correction on the SD40-2 SD40T-2 shell swap. I'll correct my notes on that.
I bought a SD40-2T because I was told the frames were the same, now I have a spare frame. I looked into shorting it and I think it can be done with some work to fit a B unit shell.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
If you're patient on Ebay, different shells will show up.
As has been said the Athearn 40-2 and 40-2T frames are different size and the IIRC, the mounting holes are in different places.
As for the Athearn GP-9 (I assume you have the blue box version with side mounting lugs), there are tons of these out there. If you can't find a shell alone, you might find just as good a deal buying a dummy and putting the shell on your powered frame. Also, I think that Walthers GP9M shells will fit on them if you enlarge the frames a bit. They aren't commonly found separately though.
For the Athearn C-44 I don't know about a different type, but there were aftermarket shells made for these. I know of a local shop that might have some hanging on the walls. UP I think, but I'm not certain.
Also, if you're not happy with what is available and can get the frames working well, you may be better of selling them and buying something else. Good running powered frames often fetch a pretty good price.
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