Hi, everyone, Has anyone out there seen the new RTR athearn Gp-38-2? It appears to have the plastic handrails like an Sd-40-2. I was wondering if Athearn was going to offer them separately? Will they fit older GPs? Will they make them for the GP40-2's? I just can't seem to put the metal ones together realistically..
Yes, the new RTR GP38-2's have plastic handrails and you will be able to buy them seperately to retrofit older units if you so desire. That was the only upgrade they have made to those models so far. But they are still supposed to upgrade the GP38-2, GP40-2, GP50 and GP60 models with changes similar to what they did to their SD40-2. That would include closed in pilots, plastic handrails, upgraded drive with Genesis style universals & flywheels, upgraded motor, etc. When this will happen is anyone's guess at this point, though. Chris Toth
Hmm, when did Athearn come out with the new GP38-2 upgrades? That sounds good- I'd love to get some sets to redo my four-axle Dash 2s.
AFAIK These plastic handrails only come with the RTR "pacific pride II" unit at the moment, but Walthers does have a listing for the plastic GP38-2 handrails as a separate part. Ref fitting them to other units, I would think they would fit the GP40-2 at least, but the mounting holes may not be in exactly the same place on the two shells (can't check at the moment) BTW Friscobob have you noticed that the unit in question has a frisco logo on the side (amongst others...) All the best!
A little off the subject, but, what are considered to be more realistic - the plastic hand rails or the metal ones? Also, how do you glue the metal one together?
The plastic handrails are more prototypical as they accurately capture the channel style of these stanchions. As far as assembling the metal ones, I have always assembled them to the model, then got them straight and crimped the tops just slightly to keep them from sliding on the handrail. Then I follow this up with a drop of super glue where the stanchion loop meets the handrail. Once that is done the handrails stay secure. Chris Toth
<font color="336633">Is the new plastic handrails as good as the smokey vally ones? as if they are it will save me a lot of time (and probably money!) as I want to re-handrail all my locos eventually.</font>
Yes I did It of course is the better of the logos.........which is why this loco is classy FRISCO, FRISCO UBER ALLES.....
They are better as the plastic allows for crisper detail reproduction in the stanchions. And even better the handrails and stachions are one piece so all you have to do is install them on the model. No need to assemble the stanchions to the railings. The Smokey Valley stanchions are a pain to mount easily because they have an open back, versus a loop with a hole as they should be. I use them where I have to, but I have never liked them for that reason. Chris Toth
