It looks like Kato made a GP38-2 back in the day, but I can't find new models. Since Kato was my first choice, I have to look elsewhere. I know Atlas makes one. I'm sure some of you Geep drivers have experience with them. How would you rate the Atlas GP38-2? They seem to be a bit more pricey than what I'm used to paying for locos (my whole 3 engines from Kato) How would you rate: -model accuracy -paint Performance, oddly enough, isn't a concern since right now, I want to have/create/etc UP 754 that services the Blommer Chocolate Factory in Chicago. It will pull maybe 3 cars, but be sitting most of the time. Of course, who knows what the future will hold.
What he said... I have a second run Kato GP38 and at least 4 Atlas 38/40s. The Kato runs OK but is a PITA to keep running. The Atlas units just keep going and going.
You may also want to consider the last release of the Walthers / Life Like GP38-2 if DCC is not a requirement. You can probably buy them cheaper and they run great (detail isn't too shabby either, though not Atlas quality).
John, your right. Thanks for mentioning these, I keep forgetting about the Walthers/LifeLike units. They are not that much different in quality than are the Atlas 38-2's, other than not being True DCC ready.
I sold off most of my Katos years ago. They are too awful if they ever start running badly. In the end, I only have one and a half. That is: I have one custom painted unit that run decently. When it stops running decently, I will do what I did to another custom paint job- put the shell and walkway on an Atlas mechanism.
You did a nice job on qualifying your needs, so I'd recommend the Atlas. If you actually had to pull a hill with anything, no contest, the old Kato is the hardest-pulling GP-anything I've seen on four axles that isn't a F-something. Ron, you actually got a Kato shell over to the Atlas mech? I looked at that and ran away screaming.
Ditto here, I like the Atlas GP38-2's, run good. Detail and paint are good, but mine get detailed and painted. The Life-Like GP38-2's are nice for the price, detail isn't bad. A little rough running at first, but they break in nicely after things loosen up.
I have to also ditto the statements here I have two of the Highoods put out by Atlas and love both of them. I re-decorated them to SP and they run and look good ; never a problem. They pull quite well also.
Oddly enough, the Atlas new stuff hasn't been loud at all like the old "Classics". Some of my "Classics" were so loud they got the bearing block treatment, one GP35 got repowered by an Atlas Kato drive - much quieter. No, my gripe with the Atlas GP38 was all on pulling power only. Amazing that it does less than half of the Kato. But it sure looks nice doing it. I always had to temper my remarks on the A-board, but the end result of DCC cutouts, light frames, and slippery wheels is pretty darn awful on the tractive effort side. I looked at what it took to tear the body off the Kato and put it on the Atlas mech. 'nuff for me. I didn't.
I would have to say first and foremost, what are you looking for? Just a good running generic GP 38-2 or do you have modeling specifics? Here is why I ask. I have 4 Atlas, 2 Kato, and 2 Life Likes in my collection From my personal experience I have found the following with the 3 mfgs Kato, Atlas, and Life Like. Kato: Good running loco that will pull a mountian but as stated earlier a PITA to keep running. Especially if you have the early version and need to replace a motor. NO A FUN TASK. Parts are hard to come by as these were produced over 20 years ago. Atlas: Good running loco that is DCC compatible or DCC ready/equipped depending on what version you get. The pulling capability could have been increased if Atlas would have used a heavier metal. It takes me 4 GP 38-2s to pull about 70 loaded Walthers log cars on a fairly level grade. Parts are pretty much readily available which is a HUGE plus for me. I bought 6 undec GP 38-2 and 2 of them were missing the read headlight assy. I called Atlas and they mailed them to me for no charge! Life Like: The LL is also a good running loco for about the same price as a Atlas but if you want DCC you will have your work cut out for you. This is a major drawback to alot of modelers. I dont use DCC so to me it is no big deal. The LL does pull a pretty good sized train compared to the Atlas. If you are looking for a more modern version of the GP 38-2 the LL might be the way to go as it does have the anti-climber pilot (which Atlas or Kato do not have) and you can also get a smaller fuel tank on the LL which you also can't get on the Atlas or Kato. However, LL did miss the mark in my opinion in not adding one KEY identifying feature of the loco. They did not include the water sight glass in the mold and decided to "print" it on the decorated models. The UNDECs do not have this so if you are a painting a specific loco you will need a BLMA EMD door kit which includes the water sight glass as part of the door kit. One other MAJOR drawback to LL is the availabilty of extra parts. IT IS NON EXISTANT! YOU CAN NOT GET EXTRA PARTS FOR A WALTHERS LOCO! Ryan
The only GP38-2 I have is an older LL, painted by Bev Bel in IC's "Deathstar" scheme. I had a DCC decoder added a while back - a Digitrax DZ series as I recall - and by sending it to a pro, I have no issues (except it sat for about 7 years before I added the decoder so it's essentially rebreaking in right now).
same with me. i wanted some santa fe gp 38's and found no. 3520. i just changed its shell to a non dcc ready gp 40 frame, all is well....
Lots of great responses and info, gentlemen. I'll go with the Atlas then. My layout is still strictly in the computer at this time, and sometimes I just need to put my hands on something. I will definitely be using DCC (to the extreme) running 5 locos minimum and up to 11 locos at any given time. The Geep will mostly sit on a siding since the yard it will belong to doesn't exist yet, even in the computer. I'll be going with the stock UP scheme and renumber to 754. That brings up another question: Do you all know of anyone that makes number boards for the front of the cabs on these locos?
Well since the Atlas numbers are basically just printed on, you could simply scrape them off with a #11 Xacto blade. Make sure you remove the headlight assembly from the shell! Once you do that you can simply renumber the numberboards with microscale decals.
Hmm, I must have been the one that bought them from you (kidding). Back in 2009 I gathered 3 AT&SF Kato GP-38s and one AT&SF Kato GP-50 from eBay. One or two of them ran a bit rough when arriving. But had them serviced, and couplers converted to MTs, and they have been running great since then. Naturally, they spent most of their time in the display cabinet. But when running, especially lashed together, they are a champs. But your comments give me pause. What might I expect to occur after some time? Is it simply a matter of worn brushes? I can't imagine any deterioration of performance couldn't be resolved with a bit of servicing. And why more so with these and not other Kato locos? Thoughts?
HI I have 10 kato gp38s . 4 that are from the first run and all have many hours on them. my club had a store front mod. layout that we ran every day. and on weekends my 38s ran hours at a time. and they still run just as good today as they did then. it all depends how you take care of your engines. just my opinion
Glenn, The GP50 has a different mechanism and is much better (though not as good as modern standards). I kept my GP50. I also placed low friction 2nd gen Kato F3/7 trucks under it. It is a great loco.
