Does anyone know if a GP39/39-2 had been made in somethingother than brass. A ready-to-run or a shell or something? Anything?
I can be wrong, but I have never seen any big makers (Athearn, Atlas, P2K, etc.) offer it in plastic.
About 20 years ago, Tom Busack did an article in MR kitbashing 5 different variations of the GP39-2 though, including a BN, a D&H, and a few ATSFs, using Athearn and Atlas shells.
Mainline Prototypes, http://www.mainlineprototypes.netfirms.com/ produces a shell (in both HO & N scale), that fits a P2K GP38-2 chassis. The shell covers Phases II and III (ATSF, BN, SOO and MKT units), and requires the chassis, cab, and handrails from the P2K unit.
The shell costs $49. The firm also produces RTR versions that cost between $299 and $399.
For Phase I (D&H and Reading units) the best bet is to take a GP38-2 shell and swap the dynamic brake hatch with one from a GP40-2 and fill in the gaps.
Nick
I’ll believe the Mainline Products claim when MR has samples in their hot little hands.
I’ve heard way too much negative stuff about that guy to even dream of preordering.
I think I’ll wait until Jeff gets one in his hands before I believe it. He’d just do a special run to get a shell into MR’s hands.