Login
or
Register
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
»
Model Railroader
»
Forums
»
General Discussion (Model Railroader)
»
GBS Rail Ltd.?
GBS Rail Ltd.?
1235 views
6 replies
Order Ascending
Order Descending
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
GBS Rail Ltd.?
Posted by
Anonymous
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 10:24 AM
Has anyone ever heard of this company? If so what would you say the quality level of their SD40 is?
Bob DeWoody
Reply
Edit
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 12:30 PM
I think you mean GSB....?
Which stood for "Going Slowly Broke" which they eventually did.
The only good thing about their SD40-2 was the Tan Can motor. The rest was junk.
If indeed you do mean GBS, I never heard of them.
Good luck,
gtirr
Reply
Edit
nfmisso
Member since
December 2001
From: San Jose, California
3,154 posts
Posted by
nfmisso
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 12:31 PM
Hi Bob;
Are you referring to GSB ?
If yes, they went belly up about 15 - 20 years ago. Jim6 can tell you a great deal about thier SD40-2 model. The shell is comparable to slightly better than Athearn's early ones. The drivertrain is interesting; excellent Mashima motor, no flywheels, poor trucks with 14:1 gears. The chassis was a major mistake, thin plastic, no rigidity, the Mehano (SD40, C628, RS11, GP18, etc) is better.
Overall, you are getting a great motor, and a good shell; to use with a RPP SD45-2 chassis. You'll still need flywheels (PPW/A-line) and trucks (Athearn).
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
Reply
jrbernier
Member since
January 2001
From: SE Minnesota
6,845 posts
Posted by
jrbernier
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 12:31 PM
I think the company was GSB - They advertised a SD40-2 when nobody made one, and then had production delays and technical issues that resulted in several missed 'available' dates. In the meantime, Athearn quietly produced their SD40-2 and got it out long before GSB. GSB also sold their 'Bulldog' chassis and 'Tan Can' motors for a while and just went by the wayside.....This was in the early 80's.
I remember looking at one of the engines, and it looked OK - appeared to be an early production SD40-2 from the radiator grills, IIRC.....
I would consider the model to be an interesting piece of MR history, but would not invest much money in one.
Jim Bernier
Modeling
BNSF
and
Milwaukee Road
in SW Wisconsin
Reply
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 1:22 PM
Thanks, fellas. There is one listed on E-Bay. The sellor has it listed as GBS but I am sure you are right. The box looks good but as I had never heard of either listing I'm not sure I want to bid. Starting bid is $40.
Bob DeWoody
Reply
Edit
nfmisso
Member since
December 2001
From: San Jose, California
3,154 posts
Posted by
nfmisso
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 4:53 PM
Hi Bob;
The GSB boxes are superior, rigid foam, well designed. The boxes are probably the second best thing about the model, the Mashima motor being the best. I would suggest that not to go more than $30 including shipping, handling and insurance.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
Reply
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 11:04 PM
I am one of the unfortunate few to own a GSB SD40-2. It is a giant piece of junk. The only reason I got it was because I was in a hobby shop. Looking over the consignment shelf, I accidently knocked off on to the floor. The next words spoken were, "Will there be anything else sir." I still havn't finished rebuilding it yet.
James.
Reply
Edit
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Users Online
There are no community member online
Search the Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up