08-05-2010, 12:18 PM
The shells arrived today.
The three Santa Fe GP38 have been installed on the Trainman CSS GP38 without problems. The large tank came with the shells and the trucks got painted silver. It is great to have three Atlas Master series GP38 on the layout for a real budget price.
The SP RS11 fitted also on the CNW RS11. I did a test only without painting etc. The SP SD35 does not really fit on the CR SD35. The misfit is marginal but I will need some more time I will take later. Looks like tolerances of different production series.
However, I am very happy with the option of buying shells only to change railroads or upgrade Trainman to Master series.
Some hours later...
The SD35 is ok too.I did convert the shell from Master design to Trainman design. That is glue the hood and the walkway into one unit, remove the complicated tabs and use the couplers for mounting only. That is much simpler and more robust design forgiving small tolerances. The Trainman work that way and they have no problem at all.
Five Master series Atlas engines with superb drive mechanics new on my layout for the cost of one
ps.You may ask how fit RS11 and SD35 into my layout? They do not fit (far to old) but I love them and could not resist to get at least the RR right
The three Santa Fe GP38 have been installed on the Trainman CSS GP38 without problems. The large tank came with the shells and the trucks got painted silver. It is great to have three Atlas Master series GP38 on the layout for a real budget price.
The SP RS11 fitted also on the CNW RS11. I did a test only without painting etc. The SP SD35 does not really fit on the CR SD35. The misfit is marginal but I will need some more time I will take later. Looks like tolerances of different production series.
However, I am very happy with the option of buying shells only to change railroads or upgrade Trainman to Master series.
Some hours later...
The SD35 is ok too.I did convert the shell from Master design to Trainman design. That is glue the hood and the walkway into one unit, remove the complicated tabs and use the couplers for mounting only. That is much simpler and more robust design forgiving small tolerances. The Trainman work that way and they have no problem at all.
Five Master series Atlas engines with superb drive mechanics new on my layout for the cost of one
ps.You may ask how fit RS11 and SD35 into my layout? They do not fit (far to old) but I love them and could not resist to get at least the RR right
Reinhard