Model Railroading > Atlas Trainman GP38-2 review.

I just got home from another west coast run, and waiting for Me were my new Atlas Trainman undec. GP38-2's.

overall, they are very well done models. the drive is basically the same as Atlas' other locomotives and it runs just as smooth and quiet. it also comes with an 8 pin DCC plug. The shell, walkway, and nose are all one piece. the cab is removable. so for detailing, it'll take as much work as an Athearn. the undecorated models come with 2 different fuel tanks and dynamic and non-dynamic roof inserts. the air tanks and fuel fillers are also separate pieces. I don't have an Athearn GP38-2 here anywhere so I cant test the Athearn handrails or see if the Athearn body will fit on the Atlas drive. the handrails that come with the Atlas model are pretty thick. almost as bad as the handrails on a Walthers GP15-1. there are starter dimples for drilling out grab holes, but the lift rings are cast on as little humps. so if you want that detail, you'll have to shave off the bumps and drill new holes. I test fitted an Athearn GP38-2 dynamic brake hatch with the square filter box. it fit pretty well, but it seems a tiny bit too high, and maybe a tiny bit narrower than the Atlas shell. a little filing will get it to sit right, and I don't think the width will stand out. but i cant tell for sure until i get some primer on it.

what I really like on this model is the very well detailed cab. it has all the rivets and a vent on the engineers side. all of the other details like the door latches on the long hood and the class lights are very well done. the bad things are the thick handrails and the thick DB grill. one surprising thing is the inside of the cab. it has 2 crew members and a control stand and it looks pretty cool. i don't know if it will be a problem when it comes to detailing tho. it might make cutting off and replacing the sub base a little harder.

It looks like this will be an excellent starting point for a few SP GP38-2's that I need. time to get to hackin'

sorry for the lousy photos, i just got done driving a 10 hour shift and i need sleep.....

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some more pictures.

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last 2

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Doesn't look too bad, what is the depth of the fan detail? Looks like a Athearn type shell?

the shell is basically the same as an Athearn, without the huge pilot holes and with crisper, and more, details. the fan depth looks to be the same as an Athearn or kato.

Trainworm Wrote:
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> the shell is basically the same as an Athearn,
> without the huge pilot holes and with crisper, and
> more, details. the fan depth looks to be the same
> as an Athearn or kato.

Thanks for the pics, TW!


To expand on this, while the shell is put together the same way as an Athearn (walkways + long hood molded as a single piece), the shell represents a later-production GP38-2 than the Athearn model.

Some differences:

Atlas = 88" short nose (correct for post 1977 production)
Athearn = 81" short nose (correct for early/mid phase GP38-2s)
Atlas = corrugated radiator shutters
Athearn = Mesh or corrugated, depending on roadname
Atlas = large front anticlimber on pilot (good for some roads)
Athearn = smaller EMD front platform lip. (good for most roads)

Best Regards,
Harry

The Atlas model also has the late step wellls.... Joe

tracktime Wrote:
>
> Some differences:

Harry,

Don't forget the notched stepwells of later production units too - something that can be modified on the older Athearn shell, but not the most fun thing to do! I'm glad to see that Atlas offered this feature. If they do a late production GP40-2, I'm in trouble - that's the diesel I need the most of for modeling CSX...

Dave

drolsen Wrote:
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> tracktime Wrote:
> >
> > Some differences:
>
> Harry,
>
> Don't forget the notched stepwells of later
> production units too - something that can be
> modified on the older Athearn shell, but not the
> most fun thing to do! I'm glad to see that Atlas
> offered this feature. If they do a late
> production GP40-2, I'm in trouble - that's the
> diesel I need the most of for modeling CSX...
>
> Dave

Yea Yea!! <grin> I didn't even notice that until you and Joe mentioned it. After a gazillion years of NOT having notched stepwells where we need it, I'm so used to NOT finding these stepwells to the point that I just don't go around expecting it!

Cheers,
Harry

tracktime Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Atlas = 88" short nose (correct for post 1977
> production)

> Atlas = large front anticlimber on pilot (good for
> some roads)
>
> Best Regards,
> Harry


Mind you Harry, the 88" nose and the anti-climber came hand in hand due to the fact the 88 took up so much of the front walkway, so the Anti-climber also served function as a walkaround platform.

Matt

BothanSpy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tracktime Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > Atlas = 88" short nose (correct for post 1977
> > production)
>
> > Atlas = large front anticlimber on pilot (good
> for
> > some roads)
> >
> > Best Regards,
> > Harry
>
>
> Mind you Harry, the 88" nose and the anti-climber
> came hand in hand due to the fact the 88 took up
> so much of the front walkway, so the Anti-climber
> also served function as a walkaround platform.
>
> Matt

Yup.. I know that.. I just didn't want to make a big essay out of each posting. Also, most of those post-1976 "anticlimbers" were just walkway extensions (ala BN GP50s, Frisco GP40-2s, MoPac GP15-1s, etc..), and not true anticlimbers (ala BN SD40-2s and SP/ATSF/CR EMD's built during the same time period).


Cheers,
Harry