EMD GP35 Radiator Grill And Screen Variations

Discussion in 'Diesel General' started by benscaro, Jan 12, 2021.

  1. benscaro

    benscaro Member

    If you look at the rear set of grilles on these two units in this enlargement from a John Nixon photograph from this site they look quite different.

    Note the way the vertical bars are more prominent on 704.


    What am I looking at here?

    A different style of grilles used on some units?

    The grilles on 704 with the prominent vertical bars seem also to sit proud of the hood side more.

    Cheers

    Ben Scanlon
     
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  2. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Based on my comparison of GP35 images I have, numbers 700 - 705 have a more prominent radiator grille that protrudes from the body around the grille periphery and the louvers seem to be covered with a screen of some sort.

    From SLSF 706 on, most of the grilles seem to be inset in the body as you have observed and do not have the screen, but there are exceptions.

    SLSF #705 EMD GP35 05-October-1977 Lawrence, KS.JPG

    SLSF #706_ Brian_Ambrose_1979-07-16_87755.jpg
     
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  3. benscaro

    benscaro Member

    Thanks Keith.

    I believe the Missouri Pacific had similar screens on their GP35s.

    So it may be something to do with the climate in those areas.

    Dust, I guess.
     
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  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    There were several "phases" of GP35s.

    If we still had X2200S as a reference, we would have a detailed description of the phases, but we do not.

    Was there a Diesel Era article on Frisco GP35s?

    Maybe. I will look. I have every issue, but they are downstairs in a storage locker.

    I recall buying two Kato GP35 models to paint and decorate.

    I was at a loss when I saw these models, accurate as they were, had several phase differences from the Frisco units.

    Mainly detail differences, etc.

    Ken
     
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  5. Ben,

    Here is what I have to offer.

    First the Diesel Era magazine Ken mentioned is the May/June 2000 issue. If you find one it is a great resource if you build a Frisco GP35. It does not mention the screens specifically.

    As you go through pictures they have differences appear but the time frame does not seem to matter at all. Why some had them I do not know.

    But here are a few close ups from my dad's collection of GP35s. All were taken at the Springfield Diesel Shop or in the deadline. There is one clearly with or without a screen. The other close up shows how they attached.

    With screens.

    [​IMG]

    Without screens.

    [​IMG]

    Screen detail closeup.

    [​IMG]

    Hope these help with your question.

    Steve
     
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  6. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Jerry's GP35 pictures Steve posted are all of torpedo boat GP35s.

    I would imagine there still are additional phase differences in the units ordered after the torpedo tube ones.

    Hopefully, all are pictured in the magazine.

    K
     
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  7. Age seems to make no difference Ken.

    I have photos of nice black and yellow units with out the screens and old Mandarin orange and white units with them still.

    I started looking at other roads even to find a pattern but never did.
     
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  8. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Of the Gp35s that were produced without the torpedo-tube tanks, it looks like a partially mixed bag as I see most without the screens and a few with.
     
  9. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    When a class of locomotives get rebuilt or has major repair, components will be removed.

    The long hood will come off and get placed in a location that may have other hoods of the same class of unit.

    Sometimes the hoods or components will get mixed upon reassembly.

    It would have been hard to get the torpedo tube hoods mixed up with the others though.

    I am not saying this is how different screens can show up in the same phase, but I have seen similar things happen.
     
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  10. I have found several pictures of 720 with one screen on and one screen off on the engineer's side and one that way of the fireman's side.

    7870728A-5A7B-44B4-A0AF-CE57449A480C.jpeg
     
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  11. Also, SLSF 709 has screens on one side and not the other on the same day.

    9F017BB5-477D-4DDF-A8A4-FEE649E8FFED.jpeg

    D7D3A084-04EC-400D-AC27-E2A39FBBF36E.jpeg
     
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  12. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    LOL thats cool stuff there Steve, just goes to show you.
     
  13. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Seeing that low fan in between those tall ones reminds me of having to shave, sand, smooth a stock model in order to represent one of those low fan Frisco 35s!

    Not a fun task!
     
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  14. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    I used to see the same thing on the large lorry's plying I-30 between Texarkana and Little Rock.

    Some had them - some did not, and some only had partials. They're "bug screens"!

    Probably did not work very well, and as Tom said they were mixed-match and mostly left behind during maintenance and over-haul work.

    Anyhow, that is my story and I am sticking with it!
     
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  15. benscaro

    benscaro Member

    Thanks to everyone for the close up shots.

    They show the modification very well.

    So they were for purpose of keeping out bugs?

    Interesting.

    MoPac had them on some of their GP35s too.

    Ben
     
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  16. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    For being about diesels, this is an excellent thread.

    Would recommend.

    Nice work all.
     
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  17. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    In a word yes, but big bugs, I seen birds, bugs, plastic, paper, leaves, but mostly dirt and grime.

    These EMDs always had a full charge of water circulating thru the radiators, no thermostats. There are shutters behind these screens, that open and shut with little air cylinders, depending on the engine temperature.

    Any sort of restriction with these screens could have resulted in cooling issues. What with the GP35 series prime mover issues, over taxed, over stressed, under engineered 16-567D engines, this could have been an issue.

    These EMD engines made 1/3rd of their total HP between 6-8 throttle, where the turbo is at its peak efficiency This also generated an incredible amount of heat. That is why the smaller 36" fan is there between the 48" fans, to try and pull a little more air thru the radiators.
     
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