Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: ALCO1000 on January 24, 2008, 06:14:59 PM

Title: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: ALCO1000 on January 24, 2008, 06:14:59 PM
Hello Bachmann,
I have a question concerning your new HO scale gp38-2 . Is it a -2 series or a older gp38. ??The model I have is a Chessie, but there is no cooling system view port hole on the long hood that is a big characteristic of any dash 2 series locomotive built by EMD.The trucks model a standard GP38 non dash 2 series , but the cab is a dash 2 series with the angled  roof edge of the cab  . Nice  model but why is it listed a dash 2 series when the only thing it has is a dash 2 cab?"OR ,Is  bachmann putting the wrong parts on them by mistake?
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: ALCO1000 on February 02, 2008, 07:41:17 AM
Hello Mr. Bachmann,
Did you not want to answer ?Anyone have the answer to my question ?
???
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: RAM on February 02, 2008, 02:31:12 PM
Hay ALCO1000,  What do you want with an EMD product.  Oh yes you need something for your dead line.  Why don't you wait awhile for Bachman's answer.  After all it is friday nignt.  Give the guy a break.
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: the Bach-man on February 02, 2008, 10:40:33 PM
Dear Alco,
If there is a detail you don't feel is up to youe standards, add it. That's what makes the hobby fun.
Have some!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: grumpy on February 03, 2008, 12:41:50 AM
Mr. Bachman
Good.
Don
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: ALCO1000 on February 05, 2008, 07:21:51 PM
Hello People, 
or Bachmann,
I am having fun . But , Is it a gp38 that I purchased OR  a gp38-2 .The box says gp38-2 , but the model does not represent a dash2 series loco with the details that it is using out of the box.Am I  not correct ?Or do I send it back to Philly for the correct long hood and truck sideframes ?Would have more fun if I didnt have to modify a brand new locomotive to make it what it was titled on the box and was packaged so the mistake was hidden .
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: ninnypooper on February 08, 2008, 05:03:25 PM
I'm not sure you are correct about the trucks here is a site to compare pics
http://crcyc.railfan.net/
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: modlerbob on February 08, 2008, 05:24:36 PM
My Bachmann GP38-2 has the viewport.  Some GP38-2 had the older style blomberg trucks.  Overall Bachmann did not go all the way when they made this loco,  for most GP38-2's it's only half way there.

By the way the viewport is outlined only, you need to either drill it out or if you loco is painted a light enough color just paint the interior gloss black.

I also suggest that if you want a more accurate model either buy an Athearn GP38-2 or a Proto 2000 but you will have to spend a significantly greater amount of money to get one with DCC
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on February 13, 2008, 06:24:32 PM
If it bothers you so much, just buy the shell of one that looks exactly right, and switch them around.  ;D
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: Guilford Guy on February 13, 2008, 06:39:50 PM
or catagorize it as a GP38-1 ;) I've seen a GP40-1 before... or a GP35M-3.. lol, rebuilt locos are funnnnn!
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: ALCO1000 on February 17, 2008, 07:39:03 PM
Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 13, 2008, 06:39:50 PM
or catagorize it as a GP38-1 ;) I've seen a GP40-1 before... or a GP35M-3.. lol, rebuilt locos are funnnnn!
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: Woody Elmore on February 18, 2008, 09:15:13 AM
What's the big deal? All diesels look alike!

Besides, I'm sure there were many variants because different railroads have different options when they order locomotives.


Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: TonyD on February 18, 2008, 12:23:33 PM
Some one with more knowledge on these 2nd generations than can chime in, but, the dash 2's in the 70's were mostly electrical changes- under the hood. Rarely to the sheetmetal itself. Updated from the firehazzard 1930's style fuses and circuts to electronic boards which were safer, smaller, cooler and more reliable. The trucks were now coming from trade ins, some from the early 40's... so the buyer had the option of a new style truck, or actually getting their traded in frames and trucks back, with a new loco built ontop of it, some mechanical departments prefered that option. The model you have might just be the 'wrong road' compare to what you are used to seeing- not modeled wrong, just- not based on the one you are used to seeing...U boats were worse back then....some cookie cutter steamers on the assembly line togther looked nothing like each other 30 or 40 years later...that's life as a machine.....
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: modlerbob on February 18, 2008, 04:44:52 PM
The specific answers to the original question are as follows;

The engine cooling system viewport is there on the Bachmann loco, but like on the Atlas Trainman line it is only outlined so you can either cut it out or paint it glossy black.

The trucks may or may not be correct depending on the individual locomotive.  Bachmann has choen not to engineer the more modern blomberg truck on any of their 4 axle HO locomotives.

So live with it or buy a better one.  But if you send it back to Bachmann you will get the same unit back.
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: Beatle (TrainBrain) on February 18, 2008, 06:42:26 PM
Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 13, 2008, 06:39:50 PM
or catagorize it as a GP38-1 ;) I've seen a GP40-1 before... or a GP35M-3.. lol, rebuilt locos are funnnnn!

I thought they'd be fakes...like the locomotives on the S. Berliner site.

For all who don't know: http://home.att.net/~berliner-Ultrasonics/rr.html (http://home.att.net/~berliner-Ultrasonics/rr.html)

Keep going through the pages...it gets pretty funny!
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: Guilford Guy on February 18, 2008, 07:07:07 PM
http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2008021716080628411.jpg&order=bydate&page=23&key=
Is that, or is that not a GP40-1?
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: ALCO1000 on February 24, 2008, 09:37:49 PM
HI,  I  see the view port now. Well now its not on the correct door , Thats just a flat out Botch. No compairson to there new standard line sd40-2 . What happened?? Painfully dissapointed in not the product but the initial modelers mistake that was not caught before production . Then again I NOW KNOW my Chessie is a gp-38-1 . The road number is correct for a dash 1 but is being sold as a half donkey dash 2 . Thats a great thing  many options of model railroading
Title: Re: GP 38-2 OR GP38?
Post by: modlerbob on February 24, 2008, 10:37:24 PM
Well if you are more than just a collector and if you have any modeling skills you can make your loco as correct as you need it, just like I do.