GP50 Handrails on a GP60- Can it be Done?

[Anonymous]

My LHS has a set of aftermarket handrails made for Athearn GP50's. Would these fit on an Athearn GP60 too? (The LHS doesn't have any GP60 handrails)

[Anonymous]

If I recall, Athearn made TWO versions on the GP50. The difference being in the blower bulge on the firemans side of the long hood. The late GP50 had the same type as the GP60. So the handrails for the LATE GP50 should fit your GP60. If they are for the EARLY GP50, they will not. The bends in the rails are different.

[Anonymous]

Thanks [:)]

Bends in the rail are least important to me, as those can be corrected or the whole rail can be replaced. It's the number/size of the stanchions that concerns me most...

[Anonymous]

It might work. However, the late GP50 and GP60 have two stanchions at the angled blower duct behind the cab on the fireman's side that are taller than the rest.

[ericsp]

The Athearn GP60 handrail set is 47727. Horizon Hobby's and Athearn's websites list them as temporary out of production, also it is not listed as GP50/GP60 handrails, so presumably the GP50 handrail set will need to be modified. However, currently the Athearn's undecorated GP60 with brake lever is available. Also, Athearn was scheduled to produce most of the GP60 kits in September of last year. However, they were scheduled to make many SD40-2s in June 2004 and these are just now becoming available, so the GP60s should be hitting the stores in the next few months and I suspect the GP60 handrail sets will also. I guess Athearn is a little backed up for some reason.

Here is the stanchion count from one of my Athearn GP60s.
Front and back end handrails have 4 short stanchions each (8).
Right side ahead of the cab had 1 short stanchion.
Left side ahead of the cab had 1 long stanchion.
The right side behind the cab has 10 short stanchions.
The left side behind the cab has 3 short, 5 long, and 2 extra long stanchions.
The totals are 22 short, 6 long, and 2 extra long.

The previous stanchion count was incorrect, it has been corrected now.

[Anonymous]

(The handrails are made by Smokey Valley, not Athearn. They look better than the Athearn ones).

I'll check to see whether they're for early or late GP50's when I go back to the LHS next week...

[Anonymous]

Bought the handrails today- they fit, and will look great [:D]