Anyone have any experience with the operating charactoristics of ConCor locomotives (HO)? I am looking at a GP38 and GP40 and was wondering how they would compare to Athearn BB or Atlas.
They look (details) very much like the older Atlas (yellowbox). I have operated some of those and they seem to be a little better than an Athearn BB (once it is broke in).
Thanks in advance.
Mike
They don’t operate to bad . I had one a few years ago,operated just fine,but it doesn’t match up to Atlas or Kato. Try e-bay if you want one bad enough.
Patrick
They are in fact the same as the early yellow box Atlas. Roco made the original for Atlas and then sold parts to Concor after Atlas didn’t want them anymore. Concor assembled some in Arizona and also had mechanisms assembled in Mexico . Concor also sold E units that were upgraded from the Roco ones sold by Model Power At the same time Concor was making theirs, Roco began making updated models for Atlas.
After ConCor got the ex Atlas GP38/40 models for Roco, the only models Roco did for Atlas were an upgraded FP7 and Alco S1/2/3/4 switchers. About the same time, Roco also did the Walthers H10/12-44 and SW1 switchers. All of the switchers (Atlas and Walthers) were later moved to China.
I think that you’d be better off with the Atlas or P2K models, nothing can stand up to those. Jusdging from what I have seen of con-cor, I don’t think they are even in the running. BB is better, but P2K and Atlas are best.
Matthew
I have 2 GP38 and 2 GP40’s, they are both good running and more quiet than the BB Athearn, They are the Concor drive system are are pretty good pullers, as far as details, well there pretty much the same as the BB Athearn, but thats my opinion! I like both the older BB Athearns and Roco-Concor Atlas engines. These older Atlas engines go for about $30 to $50 on ebay depending on the road name, or how bad you want it also is a big price factor.
First, I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my question. As always, the people on this board truely make the internet the tool it was intended to be.
Second, I saw a couple on ebay at what seemed like a pretty good deal (to me anyway) and was thinking of bidding on them. All of the responses have confirmed what I originally thought (old atlas). In fact, when I lived in Tucson (15 yrs ago) a guy at the train club I belonged to worked at con cor and I think this is how I learned that they picked up the old atlas line.
Since I don’t own any of the older atlas engines, I wanted to throw it out there and get insight from those who do and could comment on the performance.
My gut says for the price they wouldn’t be a bad addition to the roster.
Thanks everyone.
Mike in Tulsa
I have one ConCor GP38. It was powered but now it’s non powered.
The detailing isn’t that great & I found the pulling power wasn’t as great as my BB’s.
Gordon
I’ve got about a half-dozen of the old Atlas GP38’s. The detail isn’t that great, but they run well, the motor is already isolated, and they have plenty of room for a decoder if you’re using DCC. The prices have dropped by 50% or more during the last year, making them a decent buy if you need a “fleet” loco to fill out your roster.
HTH,
Steve
Mike, just letting you know if you are interested in buying some of these older locos, I just purchased 2 SD24’s on ebay for $15.00 each on a buy it now, there were quite a few GP38 and 40’ on ebay with low starting bids! You might want to take a look and keep a watch on some!
Something else to consider about these units: They came in two different drive ratio configurations. The first run was virtually identically to Atlas Yellow box and had 10:1 gearing. You can I.D. this version by the two screw holes in the bottom of the frame. The second run, which Con-Cor did, used a 17:1 gearing. You can I.D. this version by the single screw hole in the bottom of the frame. The Mashima 1833 Flat Can will really improve the performance of the 10:1 version.
Jim