I want to install a pair of speakers in the cab of a LL P2K GP30. To do the install, I would need to remove the crew and their chairs. The issue, the chairs fit into separate notches in the weight and basically serve to position the shell on the weight. Can I remove the crew and their chairs without causing a problem?
You can the notches in this image: https://hoseeker.net/lifelikeenginediagrams/lifelikeproto2000gp30phase1pg02.jpg
It has been a while since I’ve had my L-L GP30s open but in my experience the common setup for crew seats and figures is that they attach to a square peg on a socked molded into the cab wall.
The seat can be removed then the “socket” can be trimmed off the cab wall to make room. In many cases, especially if I know the engine will be used mid consist or trailing, I remove the crew anyway.
I have mounted cube speakers in the cab area using the procedure you are describing.
BnO_GP30-6939-DCC by Edmund, on Flickr
This is an SD9 that has a cube speaker [S1] mounted in the cab area (everything is temporarily mounted here as I’m in feasibility fit-up mode here) I mounted the cube speaker to a strip of styrene “Gooed” onto the weight.
SD_9-decoder-sp by Edmund, on Flickr
I don’t recall that the crew seating had anything to do with positioning of the shell. The shell fits pretty snugly over the front and rear points and has two screws up through the frame by the fuel tank.
Good Luck, Ed
[edit]
I just remembered I had this old photo of a GP9 crew which will give you an idea of the “standard” Life-Like mounting:
Excellent, thanks Ed! You always give great explanations and provide pictures, perfect for a visual learner like me! Thanks again!
I don’t know, Rick. The Brotherhood of Railroad Workers might take issue with it. [^o)]
I know, I know! I’m gonna put dark tint on all the windows, maybe they won’t notice! LOL!
Isn’t there a speaker specially designed to mount up in the curve of the roof that would obviate this problem?
Correct, there is a special sugar cube speaker designed for roof mounting. This is a great choice if I am willing to: a) remove the headlamp light tube and b) put up with keeping the shell close by when working on the locomotive. My preference is to install speakers lower in the cab to avoid these issues. Others will have different preferences and possible workarounds. Thanks for the reminder!
IDRick,
Interesting! I have a fleet of HO LL P2K units that I plan on installing sound in (LokSound and TSC). One of my LL hood units is pictured below.
If possible, I prefer to keep the locomoitve crew figures in the cabs (I plan on painting them).
However, from my understanding, isn’t the best low bass frequency response created from speakers that are aimed downward towards the track?
