On the top of the GP30 are four cooling fans.
Three are grouped together, a 36" grill between two 48" grilles.
Set forward, separate from these three cooling fans, is a fourth, a 48" grill.
What is the purpose of each fan?
Rich
The arrangement is similar to that for any second-generation EMD. The rear fans are for the radiator. Size and number vary depending on the model. The single fan (two in the case of SD units) is for the dynamic brake resistor grids. On non-dynamic GP30s there was a blank panel in place of the fan and no dynamic brake grilles on the sides.
This one has five. Oh boy!
Frank [:D]
Rob, thanks for that explanation. One comment that you made that really caught my attention was the one about a blank panel in place of the fan on a non-dynamic GP30.
Some time ago, I purchased a pair of Walthers Proto C&NW GP30s and only recently noticed that the forward fan was missing on one of the locos.
I called Walthers to try to purchase the missing part but naturally they don’t stock parts, so my only cost-efficient option is to purchase an after-market super detailing part.
I assume that some factory assembly worker simply failed to glue on that fan. Since the two locos are only one item number apart, I kinda doubt that one has a dynamic brake, while the other one doesn’t.
Any thoughts?
Rich
I started Googling info and photos of the C&NW GP30.
It is beginning to appear that #802 - #809 were equipped with dynamic brakes and #810 - #823 were not equipped with dynamic brakes.
As I find photos of Walthers Proto C&NW GP30s, that holds true.
So, maybe I am not missing that cooling fan after all.
Rich
If’n I had your situation, I’d be very interested in this Plano kit (part #14808):
Ed
That is exactly what it looks like on my GP30 without the forward cooling fan.
I am becoming more and more convinced that Walthers intended it this way.
Rich
Walthers indeed intended it that way. CNW bought its GP30s without dynamic brakes, but when it acquired Chicago Great Western, the CGW GP30s DID have dynamic brakes.
I’m also interested in that Plano kit! I once got to take some pictures on the top of a MILW GP30. The MILW had a tendency to burn out their dynamic brakes, and at least one of the GP30s had a blank sheet of metal bolted on top just like that… and the round plate was unpainted, galvanized metal.
I spoke to a Walthers rep yesterday, and he confirmed that Walthers did desgn the GP series to conform to the actual prototype. Some GPs have the cooling fan for the dynamic brakes, and the ones with non-dynamic brakes are missing that cooling fan, just like the prototype.
Rich
Since we’re talking GP30s I just wanted to point out that the models in the photo accurately depict a late phase GP30. The fireman/brakeman’s side of the cab is 10" longer than the engineer’s side because of an added seat.
What surprised me was that Richhotrain’s two boxes did not indicate “with or without dynamic braking”. The locos I’ve had with it over the years always bragged about that feature on the box.
That’s right. The boxes make no mention of differences. However, the sheet inside the box and the writeup on the Walthers web site do make mention of differences as follows:
Like its prototype, the latest run of PROTO 2000 GP30s provides HO modelers with a rugged unit that’s ideal for period layouts. Among the many features on this run are:
• Available in Two Versions: With or Without Factory-Installed Sound & DCC
• LED Headlights
• Super-Detailing Kit — now with all-weather windows & wind deflectors
• Prototype-Specific Details
- With or without low hood headlights
- With or without drop steps
- With or without dynamic brakes
- Blomberg (EMD) or AAR (ALCO) trucks
- Three sizes of fuel tanks
- Standard or extended cab
Conrail GP30 2192 (ex-New York Central) at Conway Yard, July 1977
fan detail
ahhh, yes, thanks for that photo link.
Rich