I have a P2K GP9 that's worn out. I don't want to mess with trying to upgrade all the parts to upgrade it because it's one of those engines that's never run quite right no matter what I've done to it.
So I was wondering if there is a better chassis/drive the P2K shell would fit on with minor modifications. The shell is a CB&Q blackbird scheme, which I really like and there aren't a lot of options out there to replace it.
All help appreciated.
If you don't want to rebuild the current chassis, about the easiest solution would be to find a newer P2K GP9/18/20 and swap the chassis between the two.
I actually did that a while back as a simple and economical way to add sound to some older P2K GP9's and 18's decorated for roads that are not likely to be rerun.
Some judicial foraging got me a few with sound at bargain prices. I had to shorten a couple light tubes and do a few other minor mods, but otherwise they were basic swaps. Then I sold the old chassis/"wrong" body shells to make my upgrades even more economical.
I have 3 Proto GP engines, and all run great.
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There are stories about axle gears cracking, but I have never experienced this. Maybe I am just very lucky.
As suggested, I would not hesitate to use another Proto GP chassis.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I feel the same way. I have a couple of them. I did have the cracked axles, but they were easy to replace. Your best replacement is probably just another one.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Proto GP 7/9/18 and 20 shells are pretty interchangeable. Different Life Like runs had different weight arrangements that might impede swapability (without some modification).
I'd look for a Walthers vintage GP chassis as a replacement for your worn out LL.
- Douglas
SeeYou190There are stories about axle gears cracking, but I have never experienced this. Maybe I am just very lucky.
Lucky indeed. This was a very pervasive problem. 5 out of 5 of the ones I had needed gear replacements.
BigCityFreightI have a P2K GP9 that's worn out. I don't want to mess with trying to upgrade all the parts to upgrade it because it's one of those engines that's never run quite right no matter what I've done to it
Have you checked your gears?
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
The Trainline GP9's (AFAIK) are not the same as the P2K's, so I don't know if those would fit.
When I did my swaps several years ago, I used Walthers P2K sound chassis in older Life-Like P2K non-sound shells. As I mentioned, if not drop-in replacements, they were pretty close. Minor surgery was all that was ever needed to make room for the newer sound-equipped chassis.
As for the nose weight in the HSH versions vs. the LSH, I seem to recall the HSH models had a removable nose weight. You'd just have to (re-)move it as necessary.