Life Like GP-18

[Bsklarski]

I have the option of buying an N scale Life Like GP18 from a friend. I am pretty sure the flanges are of the pizza cutting style. I am not sure what run it is so maybe its newer with lower profile wheels? If they are of the larger type, what are my options to make them smaller to run on code 55?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Check the fuel tank. If it is metal, pass on it. These were not the split frame version and do not ruin as well.

[Catt]

If it is the newer split frame design the ATLAS trucks will fit or you can just find some ATLAS wheel sets and exchange them.As far as the ones Daniel is referring to they actually are good but noisy runners.One things I've noticed about the LifeLike wheels is they seem to be crud magnets.

[Bsklarski]

The life like number on the box is 7142. Seems to be pre-walthers.

[nickelplate759]

for the early LifeLike GP18s (with the metal tank and truck-mounted couplers), NWSL makes very nice replacement wheels, part # 2575-6

[mr_mike_m]

+1 on the NWSL wheel sets for Atlas code 55 running.
I have a number of the old LL GP18's. They can be re-worked to give OK performance. Don't expect it to run like a Kato or Atlas.

[Bsklarski]

Good to know. I dont expect it to run perfect. a new motor may be a project for it. I wonder if the shell will fit over something from Atlas?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Yeah, it will fit over the GP7/9 with minimal work.

[Bsklarski]

Well I would rather do that. I will pick it up tomorrow from him and see what I can do

[davefoxx]

Brian,

The SCL unit in the following picture is a Life-Like GP18 shell that I placed on an Atlas frame several years ago.  I don't think that I had to do much modification to the shell to make it fit.  Not to mention that it runs like an Atlas now, I like the fuel tank and trucks detail better.



DFF

[nkalanaga]

I put my NP unit on an Atlas frame.  It took a little trimming inside the shell, but nothing hard, mostly to get the dynamic brake casting to seat properly.  Maybe five minutes work after I found the problem, and if yours doesn't have DBs, you should be fine.

[robert3985]

I have the option of buying an N scale Life Like GP18 from a friend. I am pretty sure the flanges are of the pizza cutting style. I am not sure what run it is so maybe its newer with lower profile wheels? If they are of the larger type, what are my options to make them smaller to run on code 55?

Once again, it's only ATLAS CODE 55 they buzz on.  Micro Engineering code 55 is okay for pizza cutters.  Believe it or not, there is more than one "code 55" track out there.  Also Peco "fake" 55 with rail that has .055" exposed above the ties will also run pizza cutters without buzzing.  It's ONLY Atlas code 55 that has the problem.

If you want, you can sand the Atlas 55 "spikehead" down a few mils and that will fix the problem.  I have to do this on ME code 40 flex (pizza cutters will never run on this flex.  I do it to run wheelsets that aren't actually Low Profile, but aren't actually Pizza Cutters either like Kato engines), and I use a couple of small sanding blocks, one with 220 grit paper and the other with 400 grit paper.  The process actually improves the look of the flex, but on the ME C40, I gotta be careful that I don't take too much off.  I don't think you'd have that problem with Atlas 55, since you don't have to remove that much plastic.

Just for giggles, here's a photo of my ME code 40 center siding at Emory with sanded spikeheads between two mainlines of Railcraft code 55 flex: