FEC GP38-2 Question

[flight2000]

Okay, FEC question time.  

According to the Trains article in 2007, FEC had 11 on the roster.  What Phase did they run?  Are the Atlas versions good or do they need modification.  

Also, anyone know what color blue is the closest match?

Thanks,
Brian - train spotting novice extraordinaire....

[Philip H]

Brian, not sure about phase, but i think Mo-Pac blue runs close if you fiddle with the tint (I think it's slightly darker, so maybe a few drops of black).

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I know there are actually a couple different FEC blues.

There's the lightest shade on the early GPs and Fs, then a darker one in the 80s, and then finally an even darker one toward the end.

[Bob Horn]

I think I used Polly S B&O Royal Blue on the SD-40-2 fantasy unit I did, was a close match to the Atlas GP-40 run they did. Bob.

[flight2000]

Thanks Bob.  That's what I was looking for.  The Florida sun and close proximity to the ocean has to have a fading effect over time, so various shades are probably a good thing.

Now to find some undec GP38-2's.

Brian

[sundowner]

B&O royal blue like Bob said. FEC GP38-2 are the later phase that LL did, so as of now no Atlas model will fit. They are all painted like the last run of FEC GP40 that Atlas release last year though.

[flight2000]

How hard are the LL GP38-2's to convert to DCC and can the painted versions be stripped easily?

Kleins has a ton in stock at $29.99 so maybe starting with one won't break the bank.  I've heard they run really well.

Thanks,
Brian

[Bob Horn]

Brian, they are said to run pretty well. I have a couple here I am working on for a friend to install DCC. The TCS web site shows an install but it appears to be a different chassis. They just did not think when they designed the chassis. Look on Trainboard for my fantsy SD-40-2, 720. Bob.

[Philip H]

The paint strips fairly easily, and they do run very well, as do the first generation LL GP 38-2s.  One of the few locos the have consistently gotten right (the FA and FB's being others).

[jsoflo]

Brian,
as stated by others (and Bob does GREAT FEC custom work) B&O royal blue is what we use in the FEC group for the modern (most recent) FEC blue. As far as I have seen all the GP38's are painted in the "hurricane logo" scheme, which is the same scheme Atlas did their last run of FEC GP40's in. Most (if not all) of the GP40 variants on the FEC roster are now painted in the newer "Florida East Coast" spelled out on the long hood scheme. You would think that the Florida sun would fade the hell out of these but surprisingly the paint stays pretty dark on them, other than the white cab roof which seems to suffer quite a bit of rusting. The GP38's all have cab roof mounted air-conditioners and unlike the SD40-2's these are NOT the RV style A/C units, so the BLMA models A/C's are the correct one (I think it is vapor style but check that first as I often confuse the two BLMA A/C's). While the LL may be the more proper model, you can order undec Atlas shells for less than $20 and skip paint stripping.

Here is a link to photos I took of a couple FEC GP38's:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZRE5lWmSU97zWPJWX3tVhg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_Piaa_gfW7Hg&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/58EKtp9pY7L8hYUuNDqxfw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_Piaa_gfW7Hg&feat=directlink

enjoy!

my best,
Jan

[Bob Horn]

Jan, I think 505 and 506 are running up here at Bowden as remote units. Bob.

[flight2000]

Thanks Gents.  I appreciate all of the info.

I may have to join the FEC group just to pull information from you guys.  It's kinda hard from Kansas to see the railroad in action...  ;D

I've done numerous SD40-2's in the past so I'm good there.  Now, I need to find more decals as Microscale is temporarily out of the SD40-2's scheme.

I may go with the GP38-2 from Lifelike because the grills will irritate me enough that I'll kick myself even though the sight glass is missing on the Proto versions >  
I ordered one unit from Kleins to test out and go from there.  They are still running the special at $29.99 so no harm, no foul.  Plus, these are the MP versions which is already blue.

Incidentally, how often is foreign power seen between Jacksonville and Miami?  Is FEC pretty much a captive service?

Thanks,
Brian

[jsoflo]

Brian,

it is very, very rare (practically unheard of) to see foreign power operating on the FEC. There has been much talk on the FEC group about NYSW SD70's at New Smyrna Beach shops (now closed and moved to Bowden yard in Jacksonville) but I do not believe they have been run on the FEC with revenue trains. Even lease power is rare, although if you meander through my photos from a previous post of the FEC GP38's you'll find a shot of a pair of HLCX ex-BN SD40-2's that were at Hialeah yard for a while but saw little use. Several years back the FEC leased several LTEX SD45-2T but these lasted at most 2 years but several were somewhat regular on the FEC main. The FEC also had a PRSX ex-UP/MP SD40-2 with no dynamic brakes that was around but I have not been able to figure out where it went or if its still around- I know Bob (who is up Jax way) had seen it around Bowden yard.

Having said all that, as Rail America spends more time in control recent news is that many FEC locos are heading off to other places in the country for use and more RA owned SD70's in various builds will be coming to Florida. Time will tell but a bunch of the GP40's are actually on the way out to other RA owned roads.

I'd be willing to bet that if you join the FEC N trak group on yahoo you'd be able to find a member willing to part with FEC Sd40-2 decals and get a lot of info you seek!
my best,
Jan

[shamoo737]

Jan, does FEC still have NS power in its track. I seen videos of it, but it must be couple years ago.

[sundowner]

Jan, does FEC still have NS power in its track. I seen videos of it, but it must be couple years ago.

No, not anymore, but there is a strong rumor that FEC will be bought by finally bought by NS from Rail America. The NS F7's were at Bowden last week with an inspection train and there was suppose to be an annoucement this week.