Atlas SSW GP60 questions.

Dominic, I have an Atlas GP9 and a F3.  I don't consider them fragile, but I have broken off one of the handrail stanchion mounts on the GP9 (due to my clumsiness).

I have quite a few Atlas freight cars and the only one that has broken was the 1st car, a red Swift Reefer (broke one of the stirrup steps within a couple of weeks of getting it).

It could be that, given the price of their stuff, I handle them a bit more gently, but I've also noticed some of the handgrabs and such are made of metal on later models.

The area I would be concerned with when handling their freight cars is the underframe detail, I always seem to grab onto something that wants to move/bend when I touch it but I haven't broken any of it yet.  I do handle my freight cars more frequently than my engines.

As many times as I've had the GP9 apart and only broken 1 stanchion is proof to me that they're built fairly well.  It started out as a dummy unit, then got PS2.  A week or so ago I wanted to cut a hole in the chassis for the battery charging jack so had to take it aprat again.  While I had it apart I took out some of the wiring that was not being used, to free up some space inside the narrow, scale body.

I would handle it just like any on $600 item I have around the house that I wanted to keep problem free.

I was more concerned about the loco than the caboose.  It seems Atlas does have parts.  Soder some wires to the trucks for a headlight.

I have this GP60 9704. It was sold by Atlas as a dummy. If I remember correctly the trucks had gears and rollers. They didn't come with lights.

You can hook up these LEDs and you'll be good to go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181172...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

SPSF posted:

I have this GP60 9704. It was sold by Atlas as a dummy. If I remember correctly the trucks had gears and rollers. They didn't come with lights.

You can hook up these LEDs and you'll be good to go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181172...e=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Same thing with the Atlas O S.P. GP60s which also came with non operating TMCC couplers. Hard to find lately.  

No lights or TMCC boards?  Strange.  So the previous owner then did not take them out then.  

Thats how it came from Atlas. I have three GP60M/B dummies from one of the 1st runs when the powered units had EOB. The dummies have no guts on the inside... true dummies, but there are wires from the couplers in there.

Dominic,

Do you know of any other 3 rail scalers in Houston? I am in the sticks near Tomball, but would like to know any Houston area O scale guys.

Ron

Ron H posted:

Dominic,

Do you know of any other 3 rail scalers in Houston? I am in the sticks near Tomball, but would like to know any Houston area O scale guys.

Ron

Well, I'm close on two points.

1) I reside in the "sticks" of Spring, close to Tomball.

2) I'm a two rail scale modeler, one rail short for your query.

Bob,

Close enough. I may put out a post collecting O scale 2 rail and 3 rail scale guys with an interest in getting together.

Thanks for replying.

Ron

There is the HTOS club at Memorial City Mall.  Also, on the 28th of this month there is a local TCA meat at the Cypress Community Christian Church on Cypresswood Road at YORK Minister (I am NOT making this up!) just east of Stubener Airline.  I think the public part begins around 11 AM to 3PM.  

I hate to say this, but Tomball is no longer in the sticks.  State Parking Lot 249 (State Highway) should tell you that!

Still a nice find for $25.