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 Posted - January 12 2021 : 5:38:47 PM
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Since I had been working on my model train layout quite a bit lately, I decided to perform a fun little locomotive conversion!
I bought a Mantua Classics US Army GP20 that had a damaged shell, but the chassis was OK, and it was DCC-ready. And since I liked the look of TYCO's red/silver Santa Fe GP20, I thought I'd bring it into the DCC age by fitting it on a Mantua Classics DCC GP20 chassis!
The US Army GP20 even came with a silver dynamic brake piece that looks pretty neat on the TYCO Santa Fe 5628 shell!
Here is 5628 in use, with a TCS T1-LED decoder fitted into its' socket. Even if the trucks are not the right color, it still looks pretty cool, and it runs very nicely compared to the actual TYCO version!
And of course, here it is in action while unloading crates from my TYCO operating boxcar!
Passing through the TYCO crossing gate.
A video should follow, hopefully later this week!
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Posted - January 12 2021 : 9:38:51 PM
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This is awesome!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - January 12 2021 : 9:39:16 PM
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| How badly damaged is the shell? I've been looking for an army diesel for some time now.
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Posted - January 12 2021 : 10:40:11 PM
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quote:How badly damaged is the shell? I've been looking for an army diesel for some time now.
Originally posted by BlaxlandAlex3Â -Â January 12 2021Â :Â 9:39:16 PM
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A bit of damage to one of the steps, but otherwise the shell's not that bad. I did have to remove the windows because that was part of the assembly holding the LEDs in place, transplanting them to the Santa Fe TYCO shell.
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Posted - January 12 2021 : 11:28:16 PM
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| Super neat consist!
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Posted - January 13 2021 : 07:22:39 AM
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quote: quote:How badly damaged is the shell? I've been looking for an army diesel for some time now.
Originally posted by BlaxlandAlex3Â -Â January 12 2021Â :Â 9:39:16 PM
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A bit of damage to one of the steps, but otherwise the shell's not that bad. I did have to remove the windows because that was part of the assembly holding the LEDs in place, transplanting them to the Santa Fe TYCO shell.
Originally posted by wiley209Â -Â January 12 2021Â :Â 10:40:11 PM
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got any up close pics?
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Posted - January 13 2021 : 10:00:02 AM
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should look for one & have it done in the CORRECT BN scheme 
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Posted - January 13 2021 : 12:15:03 PM
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quote:should look for one & have it done in the CORRECT BN scheme
Originally posted by microbusss - January 13 2021 : 10:00:02 AM
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Mantua Classics DID make one...
I'll keep an eye out for the DCC-ready model on eBay or whatever and upgrade that, so I can then have the GP20s head a BNSF freight this way! Right now they are off the market due to Lionel acquiring Model Power, but seeing as Lionel has brought back one of the Mantua steamers into their new HO-scale line, it may not be long before Lionel begins selling the Mantua GP20 as well, though it'd probably be upgraded to work with their LionChief control system. (Currently Lionel's HO-scale offerings include a LOT of former Model Power stuff being revived.)
Oh, and here's a video of my converted GP20 in action!
Edited by - wiley209 on January 13 2021 12:15:43 PM
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Bamos
Big Six
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Posted - January 13 2021 : 5:41:46 PM
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very nice layout Wiley, it made my day when the dock worker kicked the crate half a city block.
Bill
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Posted - January 24 2021 : 2:34:45 PM
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| Nice job, I have the Durango and Chattanooga Tyco shells set up on Mantua chassis as well, DCC'd also.
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