I recently purchased a Kato GP50 and unfortunatley neglected to see if it was DB equipped until it was too late. I then began to wonder if the conversion kit will be accurate if used on the Kato model. I noted the following info concerning the GP40-2,50,59, and 60 Model Length: Truck Centers: GP40-2 59'2" 34'0" GP50 59'2" 34'0" GP59 59'9" 35'1" GP60 59'9" 35'1" Point being in all of this is, I know that the GP60 frame is not currently produced and you recommend the Atlas GP40-2 as a stand in for the time being. Do you think using the same chassis length on the Kato GP50 will yield the same effect as on the GP40-2? Do the doors and louver configs match up the same on the GP50 as they do on the GP40-2 ? I am interested in also knowing how one applies the kit to a unit in order to produce a credible model? Thanks and have a good one, Justin [This message has been edited by Justin May (edited 30 September 2000).]
Good questions Justin. From what you have written, am I correct in assuming you are looking at creating a GP60? If so... The GP50 body has one thing in it's favour over the GP40-2 - it's radiator grills. I think you will find they are closer in size to the GP60 that the 40-2's. Both are V16's so they will have the same engine access doors, but you will need to check against drawings to see if they are mounted the same way, if you chose to go that far. As for the chassis, they are the same length so the GP50 should be a good stand in for the GP40-2. Note the Kato GP50 is a different chassis design to the current Kato and Atlas offerings. I'm certain Craig can fill in the rest, and make corrections. Gary. ps, have you looked at the page I sent you?
Gary, I am looking into making the GP59 rather than the GP60. The GP59 differs slightly from the GP60 in being that the door configuration is varied ever so slightly (any help here is greatly appreciated as I cannot determine the door configs from my pics) I am aiming to model the former SOU units now NS, delivered in the second order with the Stainless steel box typical of the later GP60s. I know that the length will be off, but what can one do other than scratchbuild a chassis (not an option), so I will have to comprimise on the frame length. The grill work is better on the 50 and looks almost the same as the 60, so no work maybe needed there. The doors are what have me stumped- anyone else out there care to chime in?? Y'all have a good one, Justin [This message has been edited by Justin May (edited 30 September 2000).]
The GP50 would acually be a better starting point, it is more acurate for a GP60/59 conversion, BLMA recomeneds the GP40-2 because it is more avalible then the GP50. Kevin
Aren't the x9 series of locos the V12 version of the next higher number? eg. GP59=710 V12, GP60=710 V16? If this is the case, you will have 6 access doors per side for the 59 vs. 8 for the 60. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 Partying in the Olympic City - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie... N to the Nth degree!
Gary, According to my Wither's Diesel Book the following info is presented for the GP50/59/60: GP59: 3000 HP 12 Cylinder 59'9" Length 35'1" truck centers 710 powered Prime Mover GP50: 3500 HP 16 Cylinder 59'2" Length 34'0" truck centers 645 powered Prime Mover GP60: 3800 HP 16 Cylinder 59'9" Length 35'1" truck centers 710 powered Prime Mover This would leave me to believe that the 59 does in fact have the 6 access doors per side in relaion to the 50. However, by looking at the Kato GP50 it has 10 tall doors and 7 shorts on the rear for a total of 17. I am not exactly sure if one counts all the tall doors when considering the access doors. I am unsure of the 59, but from what I can tell it is slightly less I have also looked at the GP59 offering from Overland and compared the access doors- although not the most scientific method I have noted on the GP60 it in fact has 10 tall doors ala the GP50 and 7 small ala the GP50. As for the GP59 I can only verify that 8 tall doors exist(?) and and 7 shorts(?). ISBN that all of the info I have gathered is from the brakeman's side of the locomotive- the cab facing right. I will keep on asking others in an effort to find the answer, but heres to hoping , Justin [This message has been edited by Justin May (edited 01 October 2000).]
Justin, that fairly well sums up the differences. Both sides of the loco are the same, in essence, regarding the engine and radiator doors. The only possible difference may be a different access door arrangement on the engineers side directly behind the cab. I would suspect it being the same as the 60 in this regard. Having noted what appears to be 2 fewer doors on the Hallmark GP59 keeps with your research above regarding the engine configurations, and hence number of doors. So it comes back to whether to use the GP50 or 40-2. The 50 is closer than the 40-2, as Kevin states, but they both suffer the same 'problem' regarding the number of engine doors - 2 too many. Getting back to your original post, it becomes a matter of whether you want to create an accurate model with 2 additional engine room doors, and a shorter truck centre. Cheers, Gary.
Hi guys! Cool topic! I don't have much to add except for maybe some bad news to some. I discontinued the GP60 conversion, high hood short hood conversion and the B unit conversion due to lack of sales. These items will soon be replaced by others. I am sorry if this has caused any inconvinience to anyone. Thank you. ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. BLMA N Scale Detail Parts BLMAinfo@aol.com
