GP30 truck swap...what kind is this?

[ryan_wilkerson]

So I needed a DCC-ready mechanism for an older SP GP35 and got a deal on an ICG like the photo below. The trucks are a different style and I'd like to buy two truck frames or maybe swap with someone who needs these type. So what is this type called and what is the type I need?

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/NLocomotives/ngp3035/0115/40002451_TQ.jpg

[ryan_wilkerson]

Trucks that I need look like this:

[CNR5529]

What you have there is AAR type B trucks, and you want Bloomberg B trucks. I am not sure if they are interchangeable on the model, but suspect they are. Hope this helps!

[davefoxx]

I believe what you see on that ICG unit is called an AAR-Type B truck.  Obviously, Alco or GE trade-in trucks and not original EMD.  What you likely need for a GP35, although I have no idea what specific SP locomotive you're modeling, is a Blomberg truck.  Probably a Blomberg B truck.  Check photos to verify this is correct for your application.

Hope this helps,
DFF

EDIT: Oops, simultaneous post as @CNR5529.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

[Doug G.]

Your loco has AAR type B trucks on it and you want Blomberg types.

EDIT: Two beat me to it.

Doug

[ryan_wilkerson]

All three of you win for being most helpful and fast!
I'll post in the Trading Post to see if anyone might have a Blomberg B.
Thanks!

[davefoxx]

All three of you win for being most helpful and fast!
I'll post in the Trading Post to see if anyone might have a Blomberg B.
Thanks!

I'll try to remember to check when I get home from work tonight, because I may have some parts left over when I moved over to HO scale.  If I forget or get tied up, it will have to wait until Friday, because we're visiting family for Thanksgiving.

DFF

[ryan_wilkerson]

I'll try to remember to check when I get home from work tonight, because I may have some parts left over when I moved over to HO scale.  If I forget or get tied up, it will have to wait until Friday, because we're visiting family for Thanksgiving.

DFF

That would be great...No big rush, my railroad's engineers are on vacation too.

[milw156]

If the mechanisms are the same vintage, the trucks should be interchangeable. Probably easiest way to tell is if both models are drop in DCC ready, trucks should just swap out, if one is DCC ready and the other is not, it may not be a simple swap. Several railroads  used the trucks from traded in Alco's on GP 30's and 35's, Milw, Soo, ICG to name a few. You might even be able to swap out the side frames for cheaper alternative.
Rick

[cjm413]

If the mechanisms are the same vintage, the trucks should be interchangeable. Probably easiest way to tell is if both models are drop in DCC ready, trucks should just swap out, if one is DCC ready and the other is not, it may not be a simple swap. Several railroads  used the trucks from traded in Alco's on GP 30's and 35's, Milw, Soo, ICG to name a few. You might even be able to swap out the side frames for cheaper alternative.
Rick

I've had no problems swapping trucks between Atlas-China DC and Atlas-China DCC ready mechanisms.

For whatever it's worth, the parts diagram for the B23-7 shows the same gear box for the AAR-B, FB-2, and Blomberg B trucks.

[Missaberoad]

the side frames are interchangeable aswell...

[mu26aeh]

In case you can't find a trading partner, sooo-much-stuff has them on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GP-7-GP-9-GP38-GP40-SP-GRAY-BLOMBERG-TRUCKS-PAIR-ATLAS-GP7-GP9-GP38-GP40-N/372144683057?hash=item56a58d3831:g:bDMAAOSwpLNYBqEQ

[davefoxx]

That would be great...No big rush, my railroad's engineers are on vacation too.

@ryan_wilkerson,

I found a pair of Blomberg Bs on a frame that either has a blown motor or decoder.  I don't remember which.  Anyhow, I'm not going to mess with it, so I have no problem parting the trucks out to you.  PM me your mailing address, and I'll get them shipped out in the next few days.  No charge.

Happy Thanksgiving,
DFF

[ryan_wilkerson]

I've had no problems swapping trucks between Atlas-China DC and Atlas-China DCC ready mechanisms.

For whatever it's worth, the parts diagram for the B23-7 shows the same gear box for the AAR-B, FB-2, and Blomberg B trucks.

Another good tip, thank you.

@davefoxx has hooked me up with with the good stuff! Thank you all for the help!

[jmlaboda]

Several railroads  used the trucks from traded in Alco's on GP 30's and 35's, Milw, Soo... to name a few.

Rinkadink by comparison to GM&O (which owned the most of both models, GP30s 31 and GP35s 48, all to ICG) and Southern Railway (71 GP35s, 7 others had EMD trucks from trade-ins).

It has not been mentioned but its worth doing so... easier by a mile to replace whole trucks vs. replacing just the sideframes since you won't have to deal with all the small gears inside the truck itself.  This has been mentioned a number of times in the past in threads and articles so I thought I would throw this out here as well.