As I look across my Frisco |-|roster for gaps, the GP40-2 stands out. Since Atlas already makes a nice GP40-2, I'm wondering if Mr. Hoover has brought this idea up with them. They have the model, they have a great shade of mandarin orange, they have a market . . . . . .
It woulod be nice to see them go a frisco GP40-2. As for the Athearn unit it is not a close representation of the frisco units. The orange is to red and it is missing a TON of detail. Roof beacon, gyrolight, 5 chime horn, and all the small things that the athearns (use to) don't come with. Ethan
I have just purchased two SP blue box GP40-2 from Athearn, they will be stripped, detail added, and painted O&W. It's not that hard to do, I see no reason to go with the Atlas unit.
Don't waste your money on the Athearn model. They look "ok" from a distance when weathered but up close they are real losers.
And what makes them losers? I totally disagree. If you put the work into them, they are just as good as the Atlas units.
Are either one or both of them correct representations of the Frisco model? The color with Athearn is no longer an issue and I belive that they have changed their drive train since they produced the previous one. Anyway, constructive input please.
Terry and Bob, Atlas in their July 2009 release announced a new model of the EMD GP40-2, Phase 2. This is the correct phase for the Frisco units delivered in 1979 as SLSF 750-774. In 1977 EMD introduced a longer standard front hood length of 88" (formerly 81"). The overall frame length remained constant, and as a result, a new more massive, larger deep "v" shaped anti-climber was introduced. The first example on the Frisco was introduced with the EMD GP-15. The deep "v" shaped anti-climber precluded the need for a drop step. As a result of this deep style anti-climber, a drop step was no longer needed to bridge the gap between coupled units. In addition to the nose length and anti-climber, these units featured extended range dynamic brakes. This resulted in a longer hood housing for the dynamic brake blisters. The combination of these features make the Atlas units the better choice as the starting point for the Frisco. The Athearn model version has the earlier shorter nose. Thus it would require considerably more work to modify into an accurate model. Hopefully, we can convince Atlas to produce the units with a nose mounted Pyle Gyralite. So far Atlas has yet to produce this model as Frisco painted units. However, given the willingness of Atlas to produce Frisco units and their sales success, I suspect we will see these units at some point in the future in Frisco paint. We are lucky to have our own new product development promoter among this group. Hopefully we can start lobbing now to have these units produced. Hope this helps! Thanks! Mark
Rick Excuse me but if wantng to buy now, Trainworld in NYC where have been known to buy odd Frisco, advertises HO RTR GP40-2, Frisco #774 on hand without the Athearn photograph with a Tranworld Price of $59.99. I buy a lot from there and if they be out have at least four brand new never opened excess to my needs on shelf at moment so speak up if want and we can talk off main message. Am sure you can find a photo of unit if simply type description above or 79682 into search mode. Can make own judgement. We've done business before, Thanks Ricky Mathews
Ricky, Thank you for your kind offer but I am not in a big rush to fill my GP40-2 roster at present. Just wanted to get the production in que for my 2012 or 2013 budget. You know, I never, ever thought we would have (|-|correct|-|) factory painted SD45s, SD40-2s, H10-44s, F3As, F3Bs, GP38ACs, GP15-1s and on and on. A guy could build a nice roster just out of those units alone. AND without all that time painting and detailing (unless you really enjoy that part of the hobby) one can spend more time on electrical, benchwork, trackwork and my favorite >>>>> OPERATIONS.
I do know the GP35s I kept had been a Railpower(?) mold with all sorts of accessories on them and not the old Blue Box and kept them while parting wth GP40s. The GP35s would be used with U Boats consists anyway but do not recall if the GP40 was as detailed as the GP35 or SD40. Closets tooo full something had to go. Rick|-|
Mark and All: I believe that this assessment of the Athearn GP40-2 was based on the old Blue Box model and not the newer Genesis model. Is that indeed the case? If so, Mark would you please go to Athearn's Genesis website and study the Genesis version and surmise whether or not it is indeed prototypical for the Frisco. They are saying it is a Phase IIa model. Please take into consideration that these are of a modular construction so various parts can be added or deleted to make them prototype specific. Some have 81" noses and some have 88" ones. A run is currently in production so one could speculate that it might be a couple of years before another one. My major concern is three-fold. (1) The Frisco only purchased 25 of them, (2) they came late in the life of the railroad (i.e. 4/1979), and (3) they were mainly used for mainline duty. This begs the question as to how many of these Athearn could sell? Besides Mark or someone else identifying if these are prototypical for the Frisco, how many of you would be interested in purchasing them?
