External differences on locomotives

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Okay I have a couple of questions.

What are the main external differences of GP38 and GP35 locomotives.

What are the main external differences of SW1200 and SW1500 switchers?

And the main external differences of SD20’s and SD24’s?

I mean mainly big things, not little tiny details, but any thing is apreciated. I’m looking into buying some cheap models of these locomotives and converting them into the other, so any help is apreciated

Noah

2

Noah;

That is not the brightest thing to do.

For the GP35, get a RPP GP35 shell and frame, PPW/A-line has them
http://www.ppw-aline.com/railpower_products.htm
or watch for a Kato unit on ebay, there are several list now, fairly low price. Another alternative is the Bachmann Spectrum or Plus unit.

For a GP38, on the cheap older Atlas or ConCor, but go with the newer Atlas, Trainworld has some good prices on them.

For the SW1200, the P2K model can be had for $30. Trainworld again.

For the SW1500, Athearn.

For the SD20, these were rebuilds of SD24, and every one was slightly different, see:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=SD20&MAG=ANY

3

The GP38 is longer, has only two 48" cooling fans, vs the GP35 has two 48" cooling fans flanking a 36" cooling fan. Door layout different, depending on phase, fuel tank different shape.

Cab shape. Some SW1500 road on flex coil trucks, most SW1200 had AAR-A trucks.

Both vary wildly, the SD20s were rebuilds of SD24.

4

Thanks alot for the help, I really appreciate it.

Noah

5

GP 35 vs 38 : Different truck centers, different fan arrangement, different hood door arrangement. Probably different trucks. With so many decent s of each out there.

SW1200 vs 1500 : again two completely different engines. Different grill shape, different hood shape, different cab shape, different steps area, different frame shape. About the only thing you can share beteen the two is the trucks.

Sd20 vs 24 : Since SD20’s were rebuilt out of old SD18’s and 24’s, this one is feasible.

Dave H.

6

[;)]All Diesel locomotives look alike[:o)]

7

To add to that, the GP35 has a turbocharger exhaust stack, while the GP38 was normally aspirated, and had a small exhaust stack in front of and behind the dynamic brake fan (or where the dynamic brake fan would be located).

Yeah, this will be VERY difficult to do, since the SW1200 has that flared hood arrangement, while the SW1500 has a narrow hood the width of the GPs, in addition to all of the other differences.
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