I just got an old SD40 undecorated kit from a manufacturer called GSB Rail Ltd. yesterday. Does anyone know anything about GSB, or what happened to them? And also, I’m not thinking of selling it, but how much might the SD40 be worth?
Thanks for any information.[:D]
The box says it has a “Bulldog” drive system, which I did hear of once, and the engine was made in 1976.
That is a model of a SD40-2 and it came out around the same time as the Athearn SD40-2 did. The motor is the best part of the kit; I believe Mashima made it. The frame was a major problem, too much flex due to the plastic composition. The shell was good for the day. With the Athearn model available, they ended up going out of business.
I can remember my LHS still had plenty of these in the late 80s when I got into HO left lying around. They always warned every one of the troubles with them when you would inquire about purchasing one.
Ebay should give you an idea of the value.
Jim
If its anything like my GSB SD40-2, (mine is BN) Its apiece of junk.
Mine has warped Plastic Frame. Binding in the power trucks. and an akward shell to frame attatchment. Like Jim Mentioned, the Can Motor is the only good thing about it. And then it needs flywheels.
I think if you paid more than $20.00 You got douped.
James
Actually, I payed nothing for it. My uncle gave it to me, because I said I would paint and assemble it, and he didn’t want to see it sit in his basement collecting dust because he payed alot for it.
It seems to have a good shell and alot of detail parts. The mechanism is OK. It runs a little ruff, but I could probably get it running better.[:D]
Thanks for all the info![:D]
GSB had a good idea. They made (or tried to make) all the variety of details that you needed for and SD40. For sprcific prototypes, they only included/installed what was needed.
Unfortunately, they were let down by performance and competition from Athearn.
If can install the body on an Athearn mech, you should have a nice model.
One more question, did the GSB SD40s come with any glass? (numberboards, headlight lenses, windshields…)
I have the Chessie version. On mine too the frame is slightly warped making 12 wheel contact nearly impossible. It was so noisy when I ran it I was sure something was bent but a close inspection revealed only the warped chassis. I think it has clear parts for the windows and headlights. I think I got it on E-Bay for about $30 which was probably too much. It has been put aside for now until I can figure out whether it’s worth getting an athearn chassis for it. Nicest things about it were the detail parts and the box.
Back in 1983 our local hobby store had a bunch of them they couldn’t sell. I picked them up off the clearance table for $18.00 each. I tried to fix up a couple of them up, but reguardless of what I tried they never ran well. I considered them unsalvagable and I’ve sold all but one that I keep for collector purposes.