Modding atlas 8-40C mech to fit AMTRAK GE E60CP

[kiwi_al]

I thought I'd have a crack at a North Eastern locomotive, so I acquired a Bachmann AMTRAK GE E60CP. I got this free and it was kinda stuffed. Missing a truck and the contacts on the remaining truck were really bent out of shape.

I've nearly stripped the shell and I have biffed the Bachmann mech in the garbage.
I have a few Atlas 8-40C locomotives so I have sacrificed one just to see if it would fit.

It needs a lot of milling to make it fit and it needs to be lengthened a bit.

So here's some pictures of one side partly extended.


Notice that a huge chunk of metal is missing from the top where the lightboard slots in.


Somewhere on this forum or Atlas is Daniel Leavitts thread about improving the Bachmann E60CP but I'm buggered if I can find it, I also checked trainboard too.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I was working on using an SD50 chassis, but I don't have a mill to cut down the chassis. I modified the numberboards and filled in the pilot. To tell you the truth, I'm not very happy with the paint job and may strip it and repaint.

Its on the back burner right now.

[chessie system fan]

Going by memory here, but wouldn't a U30C mechanism work (at least truck center-wise)?

[kiwi_al]

Thanks Daniel,
I couldn't quite remember the details.

Aaron,
Yes you can use a U30C / C30-7 mechanism, but mine are all under working models and I only had the Atlas 8-40C to hand. But it is so much more fun to hack up a brand new mechanism and see what can be done with it. You also get the modern slow speed motor etc.
Just think I get to mill the frame, drill and pin the styrene inserts and make a styrene clip for the top, extend the drive shafts - mmmmm fun!! ;D ;D ;D