LL Proto GP38-2's for $29.99?

[davefoxx]

I just ordered my LL GP38-2 in Seaboard System colors from MBK for $29.99.  Wish me luck on the DCC conversion.  Looks like the biggest trick is to use some tape to guarantee isolation of the motor from the frame.  Apparently, there is enough movement in the motor mount that contact with the frame is possible, which could kill a decoder.

Dave

[John]

I just got mine .. the Atlas GP38-2 shell fits nicely .. now I have 3 MMID Geeps

[bman]

I just got mine .. the Atlas GP38-2 shell fits nicely .. now I have 3 MMID Geeps

interesting, I tried a GP40-2 shell that I have with the hope of using the mechanism (of course an extra 38-2 isn't a bad thing either).
I had a real hard time trying to get the shell on there without lotsa force, which involving me, usually ends up badly.(if it jams, force it, if it breaks, it needed fixed anyway is my motto).  I don't think there is anything but cosmetic differences in the Atlas shells, did you have to do anything special?   thanks

B

[Walkercolt]

Probably some length/width of the Proto frame issues. You can get a $3.00 plastic inside/outside caliper at Harbour Frieight to check things out. I probably have a half dozen of those plastic calipers around...got most of them on a "two-fer" sale. Not the easiest to read, but I use them really as a comparison gauge. Check the inside of something and see if the jaws will fit over the outside of the other piece. Close enough for hand grenades and being pregnant.

[diezmon]

just got my two units today..  So, wtf.. how do you get the shell OFF?  I'm afraid to pull too hard, and it'll end up flying across the room!

[Caleb Austin]

It takes a little while, I had to find just the right spot and yank it off. It took a few try's.

[davefoxx]

just got my two units today..  So, wtf.. how do you get the shell OFF?  I'm afraid to pull to hard, and it'll end up flying across the room!

...and that's just what I did.  Yanking on the shell caused the dynamic brake blister to pop off, allowing me to fling the balance of the brand-new locomotive to the floor (not carpet, of course).  Thankfully, no permanent damage was inflicted, but I had to reform a smooshed horn.  The silver lining of all of this is that, now, I just pop off the dynamic brake blister and push the frame out.  Although the brake blister was glued in by Walthers, it will snap into and remain in place without glue.

Good luck!
Dave

P.S. To be honest, I have since placed the Walthers shell on an Atlas GP38 frame, which fits perfectly.  Had I kept the Walthers frame, I would file down the latching bosses on the frame to loosen the fit.  Yeah, I know, I need to order replacement trucks from Atlas (GP40-2 style Blombergs) to install the correct trucks under a Seaboard System GP38-2.