Hi everybody!
I’m making a vote for the Atlas Trainman GP38-2 and Athearn GP40-2 Ready to roll. Also, you can post tips, pros and cons, and other advice with your vote. I’ll post my own opinions later on in the thread. Happy voting!
Atlas Trainman GP38-2: 2
Athearn GP40-2: 4
CPR fan
I don’t have either model, but Atlas makes some of the best equipment, and I’ve heard good things about the Trainman line.
Like I said earlier, I would post my own opinion. I’ve ranked them based on my own first hand experance.
-UNDER BODY ASSEMBLY: Atlas GP38-2; the can motor of the Atlas is of high quality. It’s fuel tank is of correct size and shape for the railroad, and has internal, screw-on wieghts for added traction. Also included in the motor is a printed-circut board, making easy to add DCC and has directional lighting. The only other thing that I would add to the Atlas is to replace the incandesent light bulbs to LEDs with contant lighting if DCC is not used.
-SHELL BODY: Athearn GP40-2; I have to say, the Ready To Roll line of GP40-2s are nicely detailed compaired to the Atlas. They have proper engine access doors, (which are one of the best representations I’ve seen!) factory-assembled grab irons that are in-line and square, window and number board gasketing, (which doesnt seem to make such a difference to the average modeler, but can spice things up quite a bit) and nicely done, crisp lettering a numbering on the shell. The only complaint that I have for the Athearn shell is it’s number boards; they’re inverted. The numbering is black, not white. The number board itself is the opposite and reverse of the real number boards.
-CONTROL/POWER/OPERATION: Atlas GP38-2; in this case, I have to agree with the Atlas. With a printed circut board, 5-pole skewed wound amature found on the master line locomotives, and quitet, smooth operation, the Atlas is a 1st prize winner. The weights also make a difference in the operatoin of the loco, giving added weight and added traction. With already wired connection from the motor to the trucks, a better connection is present. With the Athearn, it’s merely a sliding metal piece that is on all older Athearn kits (NOTE: most modelers snap off the sliding metal contact and solder it with flexable wiring; I’ve done that and it does inprove operation). Also, the moto
Take the Athearn Shell and put it on the Atlas frame/motor.
Then we would have a winner!
As far the the comparison I will take the Athearn GP40-2 over the Trainman GP38-2.
Same applies for the Athearn GP38-2 vs.the TM GP38-2.
The Athearns’ look better and comes with the grabs installed.
Would this not have been a better comparison?
Me, Atlas all the way as I have no need for a GP40 (CP did not have any for the time period I model). But it would be a tough call for sure.
Is there any way to put the atlas motor on the athearn frame? I mean, the atlas frames has different trucks, fuel tank, and details from the real CPR GP40-2. Also, anybody have any ideas on if I can put the atlas interior in the athearn?
I would go with the Athern GP40-2 R-T-R. The Atlas Trainman GP38-2 is more expensive. You can find the GP40-2 at first hobby for $67. The Athern has more details. My [2c]
Go with the grabs…
The best way is to mount the GP40-2 shell on the Atlas drive by grinding the weight down.A Dremel tool will work…Of course by the time you buy both locos-a Trainman GP38-2 for the drive and the Athearn GP40-2 you would be better off buying the Atlas GP40-2 for $99.99 discount.