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Life-Like Proto 2000 GP20 review

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  • Member since
    June 2005
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Life-Like Proto 2000 GP20 review
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 7:33 PM

Found a nice, new in the box Proto 2000 GP20 recently, so I thought I'd do a review for it!

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  • Member since
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  • From: Good ol' USA
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 8:51 PM

Darth,

A high-5 to you.  Your clear explanations and video closeups are EXCELLENT! I subscribed to your channel.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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    June 2005
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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Thursday, September 14, 2023 12:31 AM

Thanks!  By the way, I used some of your tips for painting an Athearn RDC recently with some very nice results.  Once I strip and repaint the red end cab (it's ATSF) for the third time, I'll finally get that video done!

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  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, September 14, 2023 10:29 AM

Cool going! 

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished RDC in action. 

BTW: The older-run Athearn RDC's can be "bears" to paint strip. Were you able to strip it with no issues? 91% alcohol won't even phase some of them and I've had to resort to the purple "Super Clean" to paint strip some of the more stubborn paint finishes. 

 

Darth Santa Fe

Thanks!  By the way, I used some of your tips for painting an Athearn RDC recently with some very nice results.  Once I strip and repaint the red end cab (it's ATSF) for the third time, I'll finally get that video done!

 

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Thursday, September 14, 2023 7:19 PM

Fortunately I didn't have to strip any paint, but I did have to de-rust the fluted body.  This is one of the old diecast and tin-plated steel RDCs, and since the plating is half gone, the metalizer got it looking much better.

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Posted by maxman on Thursday, September 14, 2023 10:42 PM

What model pin vice do you have, is that a collet or jacobs chuck, and what is the smallest number bit it will accept?

Thanks

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Friday, September 15, 2023 12:07 AM

It's a generic one I ordered out of China that'll fit down to a 0.3mm or #83 bit.  It's cheap, but it works very nicely, turns smoothly and is comfortable enough to hold.  Here's one, and there are a bunch more like it for around the same price: https://www.ebay.com/itm/186010026753

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Posted by rrebell on Friday, September 15, 2023 7:42 AM

Nice.

  • Member since
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  • From: Good ol' USA
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Friday, September 15, 2023 11:32 AM

Darth,

You can put a "dunce cap" on me! I've always assumed that the Athearn RDC's, including the 1960's production rubber-band drive models, had plastic shells. I didn't about the diecast versions in HO scale.  Live and learn! Wink 

 

Darth Santa Fe

Fortunately I didn't have to strip any paint, but I did have to de-rust the fluted body.  This is one of the old diecast and tin-plated steel RDCs, and since the plating is half gone, the metalizer got it looking much better.

 

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Saturday, September 16, 2023 11:27 AM

Yup, the metal RDC was Athearn's first powered model in the early 50's!  It was a complex kit with an almost fully open interior space and a Pittman trolley motor truck system with metal gearing.  They updated it to the plastic Hi-F version after only a few years, when they also developed the GP7 and Hustler.

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, September 17, 2023 6:11 PM

My apologies for being off topic Darth.  Just wanted to let you know that I searched online and found what a snippet about the metal RDC. Looking forward to seeing your finished model:

https://hotraincollector.com/classic-1950s-athearn-budd-rdcs-in-ho/

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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