I have an old Kato GP35 that runs like…well, a Kato - and a Spectrum GP30 (and we all know how Spectrum diesels run![xx(]). I am hoping I can mount the Spectrum shell on the Kato chassis; is there some way I can do this without massive amounts of re-tooling?
Test fit the Spectrum shell on the Kato chassis to see if it fits. If it does, then you will have to figure out how to attach them together in a method that will allow for later removal if needed. If there are major parts of the Kato chassis in the way, you will have to determine if you want to remove them, and how to do it. There isn’t any easy way to do such a swap, it will have to be figured out as you go along.
Bob Boudreau
Well…The Athearn GP38-2/40-2 will fit on the drive of a Atlas GP38/40 with grinding down of the weight and the Spectrum GP30 will fit the Athearn BB GP35 frame with some minor work…So,I suspect with the aid of a motor tool and a hobby knife the Spectrum GP30 should fit a Kato drive.
Why not start with the superior P2K GP30 shell?
I have done this twice. It’s not too hard. As for body retainers, my prototype has
pilot plows at each end so I use them and the couplers for that. I have also done it with the P2K shell, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t fit as easily-but it can be done. I also
used the Kato light bars in the GP30 shells so as to have good headlites. As stated,
determine what conflicts exist between the chassis and shells and proceed
accordingly. Hope this helps.
Thanx for the response guys!
Funny you should mention that…
As I was clearing away boxes to get to that old Spectrum, I discovered something I totally forgot about: a brand-new P2K GP30 in the CSX “stealth” scheme that I bought in Timonium last October![(-D][(-D][(-D]
I’ll just repaint that one - problem solved.[tup]
Ken what’s wromg with the stealth scheme? Also how does the bachman run? If it’s a spectrum take apart the trucks and clean the crystallized white lithium goo out of the gears and axeles. I have found that once this is done and you’ve checked the gears for any spurs ( if found filed off ) you can get a fair to good runner. I’ve rescued many a spectrum diesel this way for friends. This way you will have two GP30’s to play with[tup][:D] Rob
Nothing at all, Rob. I just want an MOW “pumpkin” and the GP30 fits the bill perfectly. GP30s in regular revenue freight service were rare to nonexistent in the period I am modeling.
Crappy. It never did run very well, and I’m just not sure I want to go thru all that work just to obtain an engine that is of marginal value to my roster.