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 Posted - January 05 2007 : 06:50:55 AM
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Got my EZ-DCC Bachmann GP-38-2 yesterday. Very similar to the level of work done by Bachmann on the also new SD-40-2's...
Did notice that the GP-38-2 has cast-on grabs on the rear and nose that are absent from the SD-40-2. The GP-38-2 also got coupler lift bars on front and rear that were skipped on the SD-40-2. Same amber or yellow-ish headlight on the GP-38-2 that the SD-40-2 had. My example ran smooth and quietly.
Here's a closer look...
Tony Cook
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 Posted - January 05 2007 : 06:52:08 AM
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The exploded diagram for the EZ-DCC GP-38-2...notice that Bachmann did cast the dynamic brake section as a separate piece....
Tony Cook
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Posted - March 26 2007 : 11:24:55 PM
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Tony,
Do you have any clue as to the purpose of the box on the back of the cab? It is visible in your photos. It is on the back of the cab on the fireman's side. I just got my SF GP38-2 and noticed it has it as well.
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Posted - March 27 2007 : 06:38:41 AM
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quote:Tony,
Do you have any clue as to the purpose of the box on the back of the cab? It is visible in your photos. It is on the back of the cab on the fireman's side. I just got my SF GP38-2 and noticed it has it as well.
Originally posted by Hypoponera - March 26 2007 : 10:24:55 PM
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I'm not 100% certain, but I believe it's some kind of electrical cabinet.
The Bachmann box on the walkway behind the cab on the fireman's side is basically a correct feature on many GP-38-2's...
Tony Cook
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Posted - March 27 2007 : 06:43:09 AM
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Mike, if you're looking to add to that ATSF GP-38-2...think about Cannon & Company's treadwalk.
Cannon makes a treadwalk set that fits the Athearn GP-38-2/GP-40-2 models, so it should have application on the Bachmann GP-38-2. The item is 191-2001. It's very thin etched brass.
I've got a ATSF Bachmann SD-40-2 that I'm thinking about adding treadwalk with Cannon's SD-40-2 set. Also have a B'mann EZ-DCC GP-30 that I'm doing in TP&W that I'm debating adding treadwalk.
My Dad added tread to a Rio Grande Athearn GP-40-2 and it really makes a difference in the model's appearance.
Tony Cook
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Posted - March 27 2007 : 11:36:43 PM
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Tony,
I noticed that box is on my Athearn BNSF GP38-2 as well. Guess I never noticed it for some reason. I will not be adding that PE to my loco. I always end up super glued to any PE I have tried to work with! I will probably add wire grabs though.
The more I look at this loco, the "odder" it seems. It has the seperate wire coupler lift bars, but molded grabs. Why? The wire lift bar implies "Spectrum series", but those all come with wire grabs. It seems like the idea was to make a Spectrum unit initially. Then, a bit later, that was changed, and the loco became a standard model. That might explain the molded grabs. I noticed that the posted photos of the SD40-2 shows the locations to drill to add grabs. Atleast to the nose that is. I do not see the drill points on the rear of the long hood.
Of course, being a standard model allows Bachmann to use the GP 40 chassie/mechanism as an off the shelf item. No extra R+D cost for that. Is the SD40-2 chassie/mechanism "all new" or is it the same as the older SD45?
Edited by - Hypoponera on March 28 2007 12:06:26 AM
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Posted - March 28 2007 : 11:32:46 AM
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quote:
The more I look at this loco, the "odder" it seems. It has the seperate wire coupler lift bars, but molded grabs. Why? The wire lift bar implies "Spectrum series", but those all come with wire grabs. It seems like the idea was to make a Spectrum unit initially. Then, a bit later, that was changed, and the loco became a standard model. That might explain the molded grabs. I noticed that the posted photos of the SD40-2 shows the locations to drill to add grabs. Atleast to the nose that is. I do not see the drill points on the rear of the long hood.
Of course, being a standard model allows Bachmann to use the GP 40 chassie/mechanism as an off the shelf item. No extra R+D cost for that. Is the SD40-2 chassie/mechanism "all new" or is it the same as the older SD45?
Originally posted by Hypoponera - March 27 2007 : 10:36:43 PM
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It is odd that the level of detail is not more equal between the new B'mann GP-38-2 and SD-40-2. As you noticed, the 38 has a separate coupler cut or lift bar...but got cast-on grabs. The SD-40-2 however got no grabs, but dimples for drilling to add them later...but then they skipped the lift bar on that one.
One would think that since they were tooling 'em up at nearly the same time that they would share more common appearance features than the two models do.
The use of what may be the same GP-40 underframe does give the GP-38-2 a slightly odd appearance. You'd have to dig out plans, but the truck spacing or something about it just doesn't seem to jive.
Can't comment on the underframe of the new SD-40-2 in comparison to the Spectrum SD-45. I do have examples of both, I'll dig out my SD-45 and do some side-by-side looking and take a few pics.
These new B'mann diesels do run nicely. The decoders are kinda poor. Programming them can take some effort. The other knock I have is Bachmann's use of the yellow LED for headlights...they are cheaper than white, but the yellow does give a odd look to me.
I'm working on a custom-patined TP&W EZ-DCC GP-30 currently and one of my to-do items is switching out the yellow LEDs for white ones. Speaking of decoder nonsense, that EZ-DCC GP-30 just will not let me re-program it to 4-digit loco address! In the past, I've re-programmed the CV29 to get it the Bachmann decoders to accept a 4-digit number, but this sucker just won't budge for me. It's still at factory 03 2-digit and I may be stuck with that!
Tony Cook
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Posted - March 29 2007 : 12:09:17 AM
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Tony,
Sorry to say, but I can not help with the DCC problems. I still use pure DC only. I can not justify the expense of the whole DCC system. The one good thing about the DC locos is that they still use light bulbs. No yellowish LEDs. Just bright, white light.
If I remember correctly, The real GP38-2 and GP40 both shared the same basic chassie. The overall length of both are 59' 2". But all the photos of 38-2s I have seen have a smaller fuel tank then the 40. Thus the odd spacing on the Bacmann 38-2. The tank is too long for most 38-2s. How ever, EMD did offer the larger tank as an option on the 38-2. Not sure how many bought that larger tank though. Maybe none?
But that brings up some other "problems" with my GP38-2. Why doesn't it have diodes for directional lights? How about flywheels? My standard series B23-7s have both. Aren't the GP38-2 and B23-7 in about the same price range? I will be adding the diodes to my 38-2, 40s and 50 in the near future. I will also try to shoehorn in at least 1 flywheel. But thought for the extra cost of the GP38-2, that it might have those factory installed. Like I said, my B23-7s all have them stock.
That being said, I agree that the new Bachmann diesels run very well. In fact, they run well enough that adding the flywheels is more for the challenge then for any performance improvement.
I look forward to your comparison of the SD40-2 and SD45 chassies.
Mike
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Posted - August 26 2010 : 12:57:55 AM
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My opinion of this locomotive......
.....I now own four of them! :)
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Posted - August 26 2010 : 01:04:42 AM
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Wow That new Bachmann GP38-2 looks real SUPER. Great detail. Trucks nicely proportioned. Cab & step all complete unlike the current bach GP40, Flush Glaze windows & windscreen wipers.
Not much more (if any), extra detail to add to this baby.To top it off also really sweet D&H paint scheme. Correct colors & super paint color seperation.
I must look for some of these.
Thanks for the heads up.
Regards. Pete H.
Australia
Many Thanks.
Best Regards.
Pete H.
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Posted - August 26 2010 : 09:10:23 AM
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The "new" Bachmann is quite the sleeper! I can not comment on their steam locos, but their diesels are very good. Most "real" modelers avoid Bachmann locos like the plague and won't give em a second chance.
I have their GP-38, -40, -50, B23-7, F7, and H16-44 from the standard line. They all run great! They are not as detailed as an Atlas or P2K, but also no where near as costly. If you want smooth runners, you can't go wrong with these.
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Posted - August 28 2010 : 02:04:12 AM
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Sweet looking model there, Mr Cook! Ironically, even though posting on a site dedicated to "toy" trains, I judge models by the amount of rivet-counting detail I think I have to put in to bring it up to snuff... Shaving off the grab irons, drilling holes and adding my own wire grabs is not that much after all, if the manufacturer has done the coupler lift bars for me!  I have to say that windscreen wipers, flush glazing, crisp painting that does not tempt me to do a re-spray, and passable underframe and bogeys make this Bachmann offer worthwhile. I absolutely agree with Hypoponera's assessment; even without the flywheels, the latest Bachmanns I've obtained run brilliantly, but I am not running DCC as yet so I can not comment on the coding difficulties Tony mentioned. If I can programme my Bachmann Spectrum CP GP30 once I get DCC, I will re-post. Cheers!
"It is better to have loafed and lost, than never to have loafed at all." James Thurber
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