ScaleTrains GP30 Arrival (End of January)

[James Costello]

Wow, that was pretty fast!

Their weekly newsletter today mentioned having a new loco announcement at Springfield too - although it didn't specify the scale(s).

[CBQ Fan]

I ordered the UP A/B passenger style in anticipation of the second release including the CB&Q so I can retire my Atlas Classic locos. UP and the Q had a pool agreement so GP30 combinations were common.

[lock4244]

Their weekly newsletter today mentioned having a new loco announcement at Springfield too - although it didn't specify the scale(s).

If they we're to announce an N scale SD45, well I'd be ok with that.

[C855B]

If they we're to announce an N scale SD45, well I'd be ok with that.

I would, yet wouldn't. I have a half-dozen of the new Atlas 45s in undec on the bench waiting for me to get some life distractions out of the way so I can finish the CAD for 3D-printing UP-specific details. There are several tricky ones, which is possibly why ST doesn't offer their HO 45 in UP.

[lock4244]

I would, yet wouldn't. I have a half-dozen of the new Atlas 45s in undec on the bench waiting for me to get some life distractions out of the way so I can finish the CAD for 3D-printing UP-specific details. There are several tricky ones, which is possibly why ST doesn't offer their HO 45 in UP.

What details would that be? Looking at pics of them through the years, the dining room table sized plate installed on the cab roof (RC antenna I presume) is the only detail that stands out to my admittedly 'not a UP guy' eye's.

If I'm being honest, I'd be pleased if they did an N scale SD45 largely because it'd give hope to them doing an SD40, which would give a sliver of a hope they'd do GMD SD40's. That said, road specific DRGW, EL, and SP SD45's would be awfully tempting...

[Mark5]

I'd be in for ST SD45s - Atlas is doing them, but they sure dropped the ball on the N&W versions (I picked up one of the black ones, which I will correct).

Also would be very much in for the SD40.

With (hopefully) N&W GP30s coming from ST (they did NW in HO) and maybe GP35s - I could at last retire all of my 1990s tooling Kato and Atlas/Kato EMD "wide bodies" (GP30/GP35/SD40/SD40-2/SD45).

Mark

[C855B]

What details would that be? Looking at pics of them through the years, the dining room table sized plate installed on the cab roof (RC antenna I presume) is the only detail that stands out to my admittedly 'not a UP guy' eye's.

A number of things which would make "Rivet Counter" details too costly to tool. Let me count the ways... 

• The RCE antenna platform you mention.
• The voice antenna ("firecracker") moved to the back of the long hood.
• RCE electronics cabinet on the fireman's side walkway behind the spare filter box.
• Horn placement, and the associated bracket and plumbing. Something fairly visible when viewed from above... like on a model.
• Federal Signal "Commander" beacon.
• Nonstandard m.u. connector placements. A double stack of dummies on the left (facing each end), and a single on the right, with cabling box.
• Canvas window shades, and armrests.
• Flexicoil bogies with three external brake cylinders.

Mostly nit-picks, of course, but distinctive enough. It was frustrating Atlas went with Broadway Limited (...apparently...) tooling for the trucks, because they have an SD truck tooled for the SD7, 9, 24 and 35 in the correct 3-cylinder style that are a snap fit. But not the new SD45. Given the "aluminum" paint on the trucks, this difference jumps out at you. The cylinders are available as separate parts, but accurate placement for all four corners is vexing.

The m.u. connectors are a difficult nut to crack on the Atlas model. They have crude representations of singles in their normal places on the handrails casting, which are going to be bugger to cut off without damage to the handrails.

[lock4244]

A number of things which would make "Rivet Counter" details too costly to tool. Let me count the ways... 

• The RCE antenna platform you mention.
• The voice antenna ("firecracker") moved to the back of the long hood.
• RCE electronics cabinet on the fireman's side walkway behind the spare filter box.
• Horn placement, and the associated bracket and plumbing. Something fairly visible when viewed from above... like on a model.
• Federal Signal "Commander" beacon.
• Nonstandard m.u. connector placements. A double stack of dummies on the left (facing each end), and a single on the right, with cabling box.
• Canvas window shades, and armrests.
• Flexicoil bogies with three external brake cylinders.

Mostly nit-picks, of course, but distinctive enough. It was frustrating Atlas went with Broadway Limited (...apparently...) tooling for the trucks, because they have an SD truck tooled for the SD7, 9, 24 and 35 in the correct 3-cylinder style that are a snap fit. But not the new SD45. Given the "aluminum" paint on the trucks, this difference jumps out at you. The cylinders are available as separate parts, but accurate placement for all four corners is vexing.

The m.u. connectors are a difficult nut to crack on the Atlas model. They have crude representations of singles in their normal places on the handrails casting, which are going to be bugger to cut off without damage to the handrails.

That's quite the list! Those three brake cylinders really do stand out. You may be right about ST not doing UP SD45's on account of those details, but I'd wager you might see one closer to it's as delivered look. I wouldn't write them off just yet. I have some of their SD models and the variance in details between roads is very encouraging.

In terms of road accurate details, I wasn't expecting anything from Atlas's SD45 in that regard... those ALCO C-630's dressed as MLW's cured me of those hopes.

[wcfn100]

I hope these turn out nice.  I just sent a research package off to ST for CGW GP30s.

Jason

[ryan_wilkerson]

Anyone think ST will do the GP35 in N? Looks like it would be the same mechanism.
I see they have done the GP40 in HO, would be nice to see some SP-specific versions.

[packers#1]

Anyone think ST will do the GP35 in N? Looks like it would be the same mechanism.
I see they have done the GP40 in HO, would be nice to see some SP-specific versions.

It’s more likely that the GP40 gets the shrink ray treatment first than they produce a GP35. I’m not saying they won’t mind you, but they followed up the HO scale GP30 with the GP40 and I don’t see why they wouldn’t follow that in N scale.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The Atlas GP40 is pretty good. The hood is good, the detail is good, etc...

The GP30 and GP35, on the other hand, suffers from either being the old Atlas/Kato model or derived from it. That means squinty number boards and slightly wide hoods.

I still love my GP30s, but I'd consider replacing them in "the rotations" with ST models. And my 35s? Yes. But I can't picture myself springing to upgrade my (surprisingly large) fleet of really good Atlas GP40s.

Maybe I'm alone in this, but maybe I'm not.

Also, the 30 and 35 share a mechanism. The 30 and 40 do NOT. That's a big chunk of tooling cost right there.

[C855B]

I personally would welcome a GP35 from ST. Not nearly as numerous on UP as GP30s, they were nonetheless quite visible on the LA&SL. I'd splurge on every road number they might offer as long as they stick to original PL&N.

No wish for GP40s. They were after my modeling era.

[lock4244]

An accurate CP GP30 would be welcome. CR too, as they could appear on BUCP. CP and CR GP35's also be welcomed.

CN had a small fleet of GP40's, ad if ST did an accurate representation of them I'd be in. B&O 3700 series GP40's would be very welcomed in B&O blue and Chessie schemes... CP had many on lease in my formative years trackside.

[James Costello]

We probably can't rule out a GP40 from Rapido in N either....