Does anyone know of any magazine articles or web sites that have a how-to to kitbash a C&O GP39?
Externally a GP39-2 is kind of a combination of a GP-38-2 and a GP40-2.
You need the body of a GP38-2 and the exhaust and dynamic brake section of a GP40-2 and a different and modified set of radiator grills (Canon Co.). If you’re real ambitious, the 2 rear fans were farther apart on the 39-2 than the ones on the 38-2, more like the GP-38. The size and location of the fuel tank and air resevoirs also differed by railroad. Some had Blomberg “M” and some had Blomberg “B” trucks.
One could also start with a GP38 and not have to redo the 2 rear fans, but the blower housing behind the cab is in the wrong position and one would have to decide whether to accept that compromise or do the surgery and replace it with a Canon part. My compromise was to use a GP38-2 as a starting point and live with the fans.
There are several articles:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&sort=A&output=3&cmdtext="GP39-2"
The Sept '88 Mainline Modeler (still available) is the issue I have used to do my D&H units.
I should stay out of this; almost every time I’ve aired a response today I’ve invited a controversy. About the only thing I have said today that didn’t invite a counterpoint was that the world is round - they could be saving that for tomorrow.
Anyway, I can’t recall if it was a GP38 to a GP39 or a GP38-2 to a GP39-2 - this latter sounds more familiar but the procedures are going to be the same - but back in the late '70s/early '80s this kitbash was tackled in articles in both MR and RMC. Both items started with a GP38/GP38-2 and the authors cannibalized a GP40/GP40-2 for the turbocharger. I would imagine that modelmaker51 is correct; it makes sense to me that a larger engine would require greater cooling capacity and, therefore, a modified/larger radiator section. The spare GP40/GP40-2 body will also provide access doors if the modification needs any adjustment there.
One of the articles had a sidebar showing an N-Scale kitbash which followed roughly the same principles as the HO-Scale modifications. If I remember correctly the GP39 was a very poor seller and EMD did not include the model in its dash two line-up until Santa Fe requested a model for use in the higher altitudes of the Rockies. The model then took off and a lot of purchasers bought the unit because of its higher horsepower as opposed to its turbochargeing. My “Appalachian Crossing” N-Scale pike will have a few dash twos. Of course, none of them will negotiate my switches but that’s a completely different story.
I dug up a couple of shots of my Athearn (BB) conversions done about 10 years ago:
click image to enlarge
The differences in the two units: trucks & fuel tanks/air resevoirs, (the D&H got some as hand-me-downs for the LV and some were new).
Did C&O have any GP39-2s? I know that C&O was a big purchaser of GP40 and GP40-2s, but I don’t remember them purchasing any GP39-2s. CSX does have a number of 39s they aquired from the D&H.
The easiest way to model a Phase I GP39 (the Reading and Delaware & Hudson units) is to take a GP38-2 shell and swap the dynamic brake hatch for one from a GP40-2. The Phase II and III models are more complex. With the Phase III models being closer in appear to GP50s, then GP38-2s.
Modelmaker
The 7400 series GP39-2s were aquired from the Reading. Note that 7414 in the top pic has the signature Reading rain gutters over the cab windows. The 7600 series GP39-2s were aquired new from EMD.
The 7300 series units aquired from Lehigh Valley were GP38-2s.
Nick
CSX does have a number of 39s they aquired from the D&H.
Actually, 5 of the Reading units (7400’s) were owned by a leasing company, (Derreco, a holding company), and were returned to the holder of the lease when it expired, which today is CSX. (EMD > Reading/Derreco > D&H/Derreco > CP-D&H/Derreco > Guilford/Derreco > CSX)
The 7400 series GP39-2s were aquired from the Reading. Note that 7414 in the top pic has the signature Reading rain gutters over the cab windows. The 7600 series GP39-2s were aquired new from EMD.
The 7300 series units aquired from Lehigh Valley were GP38-2s.
I knew that! [:D]
No the C&O did not have any GP39-2s…The C&O had 20 GP39s.Start with a GP38 and use a GP40 DB assembly.
http://www.trainweb.org/chessiephotos/photos/GP39/3912c&o.jpg
Thank you for correcting them. C&O bought 20 of the 23 GP39’s (they were not -2’s) produced. Copper Basin has two and the Paducah & Louisville has the ex-ASAB one. I do remember the D&H GP39-2 conversion atricle in MR I read it years ago. But I am talking about the non-Dash 2 GP39.
I have a MR article from 1990 that shows how to modify a Chessie. CSX is B&O/C&O. They pretty much run hand in hand now in WVA and parts of OH.