Briggs Models N Scale GP38-2W

[BCOL 747]

Hello Folks

Briggs Models has released an N Scale GP38-2W kit N118. Designed to fit the Atlas GP40-2, GP40, GP38 chassis as well as the newer Life-Like GP38-2, this kit includes body, pilots, etched handrails and detail parts.  The price will be $120 CAD and they are now available on the website. https://briggs-models.myshopify.com/

If you have any questions please feel free to drop me a PM or Email at the address below.

Kind regards,

Chris Dittmar
chrisd@briggsmanufacturingassociates.com

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Must resist... Must resist...

Where is the CF7 and NW5? 

[BCR 570]

Are these the engines numbered originally in the 5500 series?  CN 5597 was on the BCR (FSJ Sub) in June 1975.

Tim

[turbowhiz]

Are these the engines numbered originally in the 5500 series?  CN 5597 was on the BCR (FSJ Sub) in June 1975.

Tim

Yes, I believe so. 55XX -> 47XX ~ 1988.

I'm going to have to pick one of these kits up!

(CN 5581 was on the Conrail in 1977 ... https://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/photos/cr-2571-altoona-pa-8-7-1977-0)


 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yes, I believe so. 55XX -> 47XX ~ 1988.

I'm going to have to pick one of these kits up!

(CN 5581 was on the Conrail in 1977 ... https://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/photos/cr-2571-altoona-pa-8-7-1977-0)

Dammit. lol.

[ZZone]

Great timing. There was an article in the latest CN Lines on CN's GP38-2 fleet. I had been thinking about doing a kitbash as I could use a few. They were often the power on the former NAR passenger trains under CN- Trains #91 and 92 (or 90 and 91, I can't recall which pair right now). I would imagine they could also be found on Muskeg Mixed. 4782 has been on my list for some time after finding it working CN's Z Zone in Edmonton, AB during daylight may years ago.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/barpca/48773333976/sizes/l/

From the CN Lines article:
Conrail had 5560 (first GP38-2W, first GMD Comfort Cab, among the earliest locomotives in the zebra stripe livery), 5569, 5575, 5577, 5578, 5584 from about April to October 1977. Not listed in the article, but clearly 5581 was as well.
L&N had: 5566, 5569-5572, 5574-5581, 5583-5590 from February/ March - May 1977.

[BCR 570]

Designed to fit the Atlas GP40-2, GP40, GP38 chassis as well as the newer Life-Like GP38-2

Anything to choose between these various mechanisms?

Tim

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anything to choose between these various mechanisms?

Tim

These all use the same exact current sound capable mechanism. I would try to get a GP40-2, GP39-2 or GP38-2 equipped with Blomberg M style trucks with the axle snubber, interior brakes and no leaf springs.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wait, do the new mechs support the small fuel tanks?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Wait, do the new mechs support the small fuel tanks?

It had been a few years since my conversation with Atlas, but when they announced their GP40-2w, their plans were to revamp the entire GP38/39/40/-2 line with fuel tank options and ditch lights where appropriate. I couldn't get an answer on if that meant the GP40-2 would receive modern handrails.

I don't know how far that plan got, but small fuel tanks were on the table at some point.

[BCR 570]

equipped with Blomberg M style trucks with the axle snubber, interior brakes and no leaf springs

Do all of the Atlas locos mentioned have these or would I have to source a particular model?


Tim

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Do all of the Atlas locos mentioned have these or would I have to source a particular model?


Tim

They are road name specific as many of the prototypes ran on traded-in Blomberg B trucks.

[BCR 570]

Hi Daniel:

Thank you for the info; would you happen to know which road names on which models had the required trucks?  This is not specified on the Atlas website pages for the models.

Thank you,

Tim

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Hi Daniel:

Thank you for the info; would you happen to know which road names on which models had the required trucks?  This is not specified on the Atlas website pages for the models.

Thank you,

Tim

I can't remember what units had which. Atlas didn't produce this until the GP38-2 I believe, so many, many GP40-2 models were produced with the wrong trucks. After that? Who knows. I would direct Briggs to these parts:
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-3629-n-truck-side-frame-gp40-2.aspx - Blomberg M trucks
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-3630-n-snubber-gp40-2.aspx - Axle snubber for Blomberg M trucks

Both are in stock and fairly priced. They should work with any Atlas GP38/38-2/39-2/40/40-2 chassis with the exception of the former LL GP38-2 chassis prior to being sound equipped.

One other issue is the Atlas chassis uses a larger fuel tank than the GP38-2W. I think you need to lob off about a foot off the air tank end and another foot from the area between the fuel filler and air tanks. This would also require milling of the chassis and movement of the phosphor strips. The sound equipped units may be a better candidate as they use truck wires pinned to the frame. The down side is that the sound box is in the fuel tank area and may require a smaller speaker.

[BCR 570]

Thank you Daniel; very helpful.  Will consider doing one after I have the M-420s built.

Tim