i almost bought....

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

ok guys, i was at the local hobby shop yesterday, and was browsing the locos when i came across a proto 2000 GP38-2 in the SOO line Red and White scheme… it was beautiful… if i had the $$ there and then i would have walked out the proud owner of a SOO GP38 the problem is i model the ATSF & UP so a SOO loco wouldnt really fit in, but i dont know wether i can help my self next time i go in it has buy me all over it… hopefully i will be able to resist next time im there and and buy a Loco thats for ATSF or UP… but looking at this loco almost made me change prototypes and eras there and then.

while i was there they had a few Atlas train man cars they look good value for what they are, decent detail etc. i think im gonna stock up on ATSF and UP hoppers [:D].

2

I bought a bunch of trainman cars when I visited Kleins on friday. They are great! Not as good detail as the regular atlas, but much cheaper too.

3

James, I did the same thing a few years ago. I was happy modelling the Penn Central, I grew up along side of it in Indiana. One day I say a beautiful Cineese Red and Grey diesel for teh Burlington and it was all over. Changed prototype lock, stock and barrel. Absolutely no regrets in doing so either, now I have redbirds, blackbirds, greybacks, and some awesome silver E units for my Zephyrs.

Rick

4

I just bought a Chinese DF8B Diesel by Spectrum and it is awesome. Reason ? Well , I once travelled behind one in darkest China, and the Spectrum model is just great. Will I go all out Chinese ? No, I won’t. But I do like this loco. A little variety in your diet can’t hurt !

5

Vareity is good, and there are always engine pooling and trackage rights.

Now it depends on how strict you are about keeping to the prototype. I don’t know how picky you are about era. GP38 with Diesel will look much more prototypical than GP38 with steam. However, if you aren’t picky about this, then go for it.

6

Thats why I don’t model any particular railroad, so I can by whatever I want, and it (usually) won’t look out of place. No regrets!

7

all good points guys, i think i will buy it [8D] i model 1948-1955 so a GP38 is about 20 years early, but hey i like it i dont care lol. and whos to know? my family wouldnt have a clue, so i guess the only people that know are you guys.

8

Do what you want! There’s nothing that says you can’t run GP38-2s with ATSF and UP steam (+ early diesels). Heck, I do it myself with my UP 4-8-4s and my CSX GP38-2.

9

I wouldnt have hesitated to buy it, thats part of the fun in the hobby is collecting what you like at least for me whether i have a use for it or not.

Steve

10

You have more self control than I do. I mainly do IC, but own about 10 other roads in GP series loco’s. When people come over they always ask “Which Road do you Model?” Sometimes I cannot answer them.

11

If it called out to you with a “buy me” I’m afraid you will have to buy it. Thems the rules…I don’t make em, I just follow em.

12

if oyu like it buy it!!! GP38s came out in 1965 so about ten year out of place but hey if its nice… Tim

13

Well I model CSX jacksonville /baldwin.Jax is CSX hq ofcourse.I have seen SOO locos and every other road coming in and out of jax.Norfolk southern has track in jax and a line down in lake city and the mine at white springs.My next loco will be a NS BLI or atlas sound.