Ended up getting some nice Diesels for cheap. Cheap enough I want to swap out the Shells for others. Open to fidning shells that will fit these. I was not able to find many shells at all. Like the Bachmann GE-8 I could only find the BNSF. Looking for shells for CSX, NS and Florida East Coast.
Gp-9 -Athearn: I have just the power assembly for this. Didnt even come with a shell.
GE-8 40C - Bachmann: possibly convert to a different type of loco
C44-9W - Athearn: possibly convert to a different type of loco
SD40T-2 - Athearn: possibly convert to a different type of loco
Looking for options.
If the shell is for the same type locomotive as the drive, you ought to be able to make it fit. For instance GP38 shells will fit GP38 drives. GP38 shell probably will not fit SD-40 drives. You may have to modify the mounting method, or drill and tap some new holes, or maybe some brand new mounting lugs or threaded holes to secure the shell. People often pick up a locomotive by the shell so the mounting needs to be strong enough to keep the locomotive together in one piece when this happens.
I dont know about the Bachmann, especially with a metal housing over the motor. I was looking for a direct replacement for it, but can find one. But could either the Athearns be used for a SD40 or a different sort of engine?
Bachmann currently has decorated GE Dash 8-40C shells on their website’s e-store for C&NW, Conrail, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and UP, plus an undec so you could paint your own.
You could do a Google search through Wikipedia for the real thing wheel base comparisons and engine length but actual shell width is a manufacturer thing.
I bought a SD40-2T because I was told the frames were the same, now I have a spare frame. I looked into shorting it and I think it can be done with some work to fit a B unit shell.
If you’re patient on Ebay, different shells will show up.
As has been said the Athearn 40-2 and 40-2T frames are different size and the IIRC, the mounting holes are in different places.
As for the Athearn GP-9 (I assume you have the blue box version with side mounting lugs), there are tons of these out there. If you can’t find a shell alone, you might find just as good a deal buying a dummy and putting the shell on your powered frame. Also, I think that Walthers GP9M shells will fit on them if you enlarge the frames a bit. They aren’t commonly found separately though.
For the Athearn C-44 I don’t know about a different type, but there were aftermarket shells made for these. I know of a local shop that might have some hanging on the walls. UP I think, but I’m not certain.
Also, if you’re not happy with what is available and can get the frames working well, you may be better of selling them and buying something else. Good running powered frames often fetch a pretty good price.
