Hello, i am trying to convert a Athearn Gp-38-2 into a Chicago South Shore Loco by following the Model Railroader Article from a few years ago. I am a little confused as to the installation of the Smokey Valley GP-50 anticlimber. It seems i have to cut off the front end of the GP-38-2 up to the battery box stairs, remove the end steps from this piece, glue the anticlimber onto the shell with the Smokey Valley front pilot, and then glue the Athearn end steps to this new assembly. Is this right? There were no instructions with the anticlimber, being my first conversion, i am trying to figure all this out the best i can. Thank you for all of your help!
Why not try the Cannon anti-climber? You don’t have to remove near as much, just the mini anti- climber on the front of the Athearn, check which one you need on the rear. Cannon makes anti-climbers for just about all of the EMD units. Go to Walther’s and do a search for Cannon & Co.
Personally, I go cheap on my anticlimber… I just cut a piece of .050" styrene to shape, then mount it to the front of an Athearn BB using pieces of the stock metal handrail stanchions as mounting posts. It won’t survive a super-close-up inspection, but it looks good when running on the tracks:
Thank you for the help, next time i will look for the Cannon & Co. part, i already have this one, so i guess i will try it and see what happens! I did think of building one from styrene as well, if i mess this one up, we shall see what happens!