Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
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ddgoose69 posted:Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
Maybe because the new tooling for the different shells would be expensive, for such a limited market? Only the UP and SP had DD35 units (the SP had only one, anyway), and only the UP and PRR probably had GP9B units. The UP also had GP30B units, and those would be REALLY different.
ddgoose69 posted:Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
I would think this question would get a better response if it was sent to the manufacturers. All you'll get on the forum are opinions.
Opinion.
ecd15 posted:ddgoose69 posted:Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
I would think this question would get a better response if it was sent to the manufacturers. All you'll get on the forum are opinions.
Opinion.
Well,,,,,,,,,he DID ask for "Thought?", didn't he?
ecd15 posted:ddgoose69 posted:Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
I would think this question would get a better response if it was sent to the manufacturers. All you'll get on the forum are opinions.
Opinion.
Right on Bob,well said!!!!
No matter what B-units are made, it would be really nice if they had sound or sound and power options.
Hot Water posted:ddgoose69 posted:Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
Maybe because the new tooling for the different shells would be expensive, for such a limited market? Only the UP and SP had DD35 units (the SP had only one, anyway), and only the UP and PRR probably had GP9B units. The UP also had GP30B units, and those would be REALLY different.
Oh! I am wounded! It was Santa Fe who started the geep B-units with a small order for EMD GP7B's As you mentioned, PRR also had a small number of GP9B's, but they were a significant presence on UP.
Baldwin -- of course it would be them, who never missed an opportunity to build a unique diesel -- produced DRS6-6-15B and AS-616B units for SP and MILW, before the Santa Fe GP7B's, but those are a different modeling challenge only for those who are passionately interested in SP and MILW.
Since the cabs are removable on at least some model GP7 and GP9 units, it ought to be reasonable that manufacturers could cast an insert with the necessary porthole and door, and glue it in at the factory. It's another part, true, but a pretty simple one.
Number 90 posted:Since the cabs are removable on model GP7 and GP9 units, it ought to be reasonable that manufacturers could cast an insert with the necessary porthole and door, and glue it in at the factory. It's another part, true, but a pretty simple one.
It also requires a change with the handrails. 3 more stanchions per side plus the handrail, which likely means a new tool to form the railing in one piece. Or extra labor to insert the missing handrail piece filling the gap where the cab was. And I wouldn't be surprised if it also required a change in some paint masks.
Rusty
This is a Lionel Milwaukee GP B unit. These are "traditional" models, with a Pullmor, TMCC, R/S, etc. (I know, the MR didn't have B units - but my MR does!) If someone wanted to swap the chassis on the B and put the shell on another powered chassis, it's easy. A few cuts on the handrails with a dremel, and it would be fine as an A model. Since these Geeps are scale-sized, I'm sure with a few modifications someone could put this B shell on a scale dummy chassis also, if they wanted to.
By the way, here's a BN GP B in action. Noone's mentioned the BN.
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breezinup posted:By the way, here's a BN GP B in action. Noone's mentioned the BN.
Copyright on the BN photo?
By Googling "EMD GP9B," one can find that apparently the Santa Fe "B's" migrated not only to the BN, but also BNSF and the Pennsy "B's" migrated to PC and Conrail.
Rusty
Incorrect info, Rusty, not ex-ATSF units... I searched the BN motive power roster and found BN had four GP9B’s, numbers 600-602 and 604. The first three were rebuilt from NP GP9’s and 604 was from a GN GP9. They were apparently used mainly in hump and transfer service, judging from photos. I never saw any of these here in the Pacific NW, but I did occasionally see a BN SD40-2B (also a rebuild) and I used to see GE B30-7A cabless units frequently. I would like to see a BN B30-7A in O scale!
I removed the prototype photo in the post above because of possible copyright infringement. Guys...if you want to discuss prototypes, then do so in the real trains category please. Also, once again....no matter where you get your pictures on the internet, you need to make sure that you have permission to use someone's photo and state so in your post....otherwise, use a link to where it is and don't post the picture here!
Atlas O has produced the GP60B (SF and BNSF)
joe krasko posted:ecd15 posted:ddgoose69 posted:Why does Lionel or MTH not provide a more variety of B Units? I.e. DD35B GP9B etc. Seems like it would be the same running gear just changes to the shells. Thought?
I would think this question would get a better response if it was sent to the manufacturers. All you'll get on the forum are opinions.
Opinion.
Right on Bob,well said!!!!
🤔...
You both crack me up. I’m pretty sure this is a forum where we discuss our shared hobby. 😃No need to even click on a topic that doesn’t interest you. Funny thing is, as a novice, I had the same question. The answer that there aren’t many real B units IRL, was educational.
The GN Man posted:Lionel did make GP9-B units several years ago. (e.g. 6-18877, Union Pacific)
They probably didn't sell well since only two railroads (UP and PRR) had them (that were built new by EMD). A google search also turned up Lionel SP and MILW GP9-B's, those are fantasy schemes....
Actually Lionel painted the PRR GP9 B unit the wrong color PLUS the prototype GP9 B units were phase III which use the 48" 3 fan instead of the phase I 36" 5 fan units.
Just changing out the cab and filling in the number boards will not cut it in today's market. New shells would have to be made.
