[John Garavaglia]

They did another run of two cars with the Screaming Eagle scheme.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOFreightCars/ho36baycylin/72506/1957-6TQ.jpg

[John Garavaglia]

I like it.

I have a few undecorated 6 bay hoppers…with those roof walks…and two 3 bay undecorated cars…with roof walks for them…and plano’s end cage kit.

I hope to get to them in the next year or so…right now…still laying track.

[John Garavaglia]

Beautiful work, Charlie. Man…that roof walk really makes that car POP!!!

[John Garavaglia]

Ok.

[John Garavaglia]

Have you tried the Tru Color MP gray?

[John Garavaglia]

They have all the parts to do them…including the correct fan spacing…pilots…and walkway…and short hoods.

I went ahead and ordered mine. I’ll just strip them and repair the issues I have. No sense in going on and on.

I’ll leave the model business to the MPHS. I’m concentrating on building the layout and my GP15-1’s and GP38-2’s in house.

At any rate…it’s nice to see GP38-2’s in MP blue!

[John Garavaglia]

I might buy a couple of them…but await an answer on an undecorated version. I agree on the B23-7…and there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Not ATLAS…Tom Bacarella is looking at the suggestions…and we’ll see if they can correct the fuel tank issue or not. Tooling costs might dictate what happens there.

**I edited this post for those who have read it…I’ve softened my position on the issues…It’s up to Athearn to fix or not to fix.

[John Garavaglia]

There are couple of issues with these engines…and I sent an email to Chris Palomerez at Athearn…

1. Fuel Tank: 3600 gallon fuel tank should have the top mounted fuel gauges…and no side-mount tank gauge. This is also a problem on the GP50’s…and I’m not sure if they will correct it.

2. Numeral font is wrong (Again). The long hood of the engine has the wrong font design for MP lettering and numbers. I sent the correct font recommendations to Athearn…but no replies yet. Basically, the numeral “2” is incorrect…and resembles a T & P style number…but the correct numbers and font would mirror the Microscale Decal (87-113)set…but maybe just a bit thinner…This was also the case on the first run of Genesis GP38-2’s…and they don’t look right…I’d rather not strip these new units…they’re a pain in the rear to take apart.

3. Spark Arresters…Hopefully, they’ll either include the flush exhaust plates to equip the units with Spark Arresters…or supply them on the engines…because I could actually see these showing up from China with just the Spark arrester on top and no exhaust plate with bolt patterns…

I copied Nathan in on the issues…so hopefully they’ll get back to him (at least)…Things aren’t too good there since Shane Wilson left Athearn about getting back with people…(I was a long time contributor)…I have a much better time getting in touch with Shane now that he is at Scale Trains…This is my opinion, BTW.

[John Garavaglia]

Kevin: I feel the same way…Just having some fun 😈

Charlie: The original paint scheme wouldn’t work for those units…as they were delivered much later.

I am working on two of them…however. MP 2030 and MP 2102. I am using different Athearn long hoods to accomplish these.

[John Garavaglia]

What do you guys think about the North Little Rock UP repaints? Wow!

[John Garavaglia]

Saw them…I asked if they were including the flush exhaust base plates…if the spark arrestors are not mounted.

I was hoping they would offer an MP version Undecorated…But these are very tempting.

I might just get four more GP38-2’s.

[John Garavaglia]

At any rate, the inertial intake screens are GP38 style…the only other GP35m to have those…at least according to my photos is MP 2613.

All others had the mesh-style screens…so it is indeed an interesting rebuild…that started another in-house project.

Interesting that all other units retained their three fan lineup over the GP35 radiators…

[John Garavaglia]

So…the hood is clearly cobbled together…

[John Garavaglia]

So…if I had to guess…since the two units had their hoods sheared off (tragically killing the crewman)…I would say the GP38-2 and GP38 hoods were ordered or built from EMD components by MP shop forces at North Little Rock.

Due to the extent of damage to 2600 (nee 2008; 2007:1; 630) it only makes sense now…seeing the GP38 style hood, clean air room, and radiator package. I would also guess that the GP35 was trailing and running long hood forward…with the GP38-2 taking the brunt of the bridge counterweight impact.

And, the engine being submerged in water probably didn’t help the prime mover, either.

[John Garavaglia]

Wow!!!

Beautiful!

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