Does anyone have any information on modeling a GP38-2 from a GP40 model? Diagrams, dimensions and pictures would be helpful.
I am planning on modeling a UP modern version.
Thanks, UP4
Why on earth would you want to kitbash a GP40 into a GP38-2? Both of them are commercially available.
It’d be like kitbashing a Boeing 757 from an old Boeing 707. Most airlines in their right minds would simply go to their LAS (local airplane store) and pick up a ready-to-run 757.
Andre
Simply because I have an old GP40 and I want to save money, and have some good modeling time.
UP,
The basic body style of the two units is the same, however there are several significant features that do stand out.
I’ll try and give you the bare basics:
The 40 series has 3 radiator fans on the roof. (dash 2 included)
The 38 series has 2 radiator fans on the roof. (dash 2 included) The 38-2 also features a sight glass towards the rear of the hood on the engineer’s side.
The radiator grills on the rear of the hood (below the fans) are longer on the 40 than on the 38 series.
Fuel tank on the prototype catalog 38-2 models was smaller (unless the railroad ordered a larger one). Stock GP38 dash 2 had a 1,700 gallon tank. GP40 and 40-2 carried a 3,600 gallon tank.
Horsepower on the 38 and 38-2 was rated 2,000. GP40/40-2 horsepower output was 3,000.
Essentially the 38 and 38-2 were true multi-service units. Great, get-up-and-go locomotives for local runs, and yard switching duties. Fuel efficeint for their 1970s-80s hey-day,
The 40 and 40-2, even though designated as road switchers, were most often used as “Road Locomotives” due to their 3,000 horsepower output. They were excellent runners in fast freight service on a slew of railroads. Rio Grande used 40 series units on their famous “Rail Blazer” fast freight service. BTW: the popular EMD F40PH was essentially a modified GP40-2 with a streamlined carbody.
Here’s a GP38-2 http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/GP38-2/2509scl.jpg
Another 38-2: http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/GP38-2/2557CSX-yn3.jpg
This is a GP40
Just as a random thought: Some 1:1 GP40’s have been rebuilt into GP38-2’s, Since they kept the 3 fans and such I presume most of the changes are internal. GMTX 2668 and GMTX 2672 are 2 that I know of. I don’t know if UP has ever done that. The downside is it takes away some of your modeling.
Okay, I’ll bite. UP had GP40’s as well as 38-2’s, and they’re very similar in appearance, come from the same era, were painted in the same schemes, etc. Why not do up a nice GP40?
If it’s one of the old Atlas/Roco GP40’s, why not see if you can find a GP38 shell to modify to more closely resemble a GP38-2? That way, you could have both with the relatively minor inconvenience of swapping shells.
Andre
This might confuse the matter more.
This unit was built as a GP40, but has been rebuilt into the equivalent of a GP38-2. Still retains the 3 radiator fans. Similar units done for other roads have the middle fan removed.
