Model Railroading > Atlas HO Body Shells

Are there any other potential sources of Atlas HO Scale locomotive shells besides Atlas, eBay, and Swap Meets? For example, Bev-Bel back in the 1980s stocked undecorated Atlas body shell and handrail sets. 
I am specifically looking for a low hood U30B and MP15DC hood without the filter box and class lights on the front number board housing.

M-636

'That Train Place' sells a lot of Atlas parts and shells.

https://www.thattrainplace.com/

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Thanks for the tip Ted. It is a great site, but no luck on the items I am looking for unfortunately.

We need a junk yard for model trains and parts. <G> Some folks would be willing to pay premium price for what they are looking for. Perhaps eBay should have a new category for basket cases and used parts?

Victor Baird



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/25 13:31 by wabash2800.

HOswap on groups.io is a site for just that purpose.  You can post wants as well as for sale items.

Gary Betz
Ionia MI

Ebay resellers known to offer shells

EE’s Models
Model Train shells

Some things to keep in mind

Frequently resellers do not ID what they are selling correctly. Which is why I search by brand and scale only
Example: Atlas shell body ho and also Atlas body ho.

The Atlas U30B is a rare shell, as is the Proto U30B. The tend to go for well above $50. Which collates with what the complete models sell for.

I see MP15DC shells more frequently, but not in the numbers that help drive down the price.

Also keep in mind, some times certain shells to not make economic sense if you don’t already own what’s needed to make the whole model.

I’m not sure what drive you’ll use on a U30B shell if you find one. But do know that you cannot use the Athearn blue box U28/30/33B frame. Even after milling it is to short and places the rear truck to close to the fuel tank.

Posted from iPhone

jims86sp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> I’m not sure what drive you’ll use on a U30B
> shell if you find one. But do know that you cannot
> use the Athearn blue box U28/30/33B frame. Even
> after milling it is to short and places the rear
> truck to close to the fuel tank.
>
> Posted from iPhone

I have an Atlas U23B which I want the U30B shell for. I have all the parts to do a WP Orange and Silver U30B excpet the U30B body.