Do most Premier Diesels use the same chassis?

Not an easy answer.  Need to be more model specific.

As an example, can a shell from a Premier GP38 (Cab #2048 UP) be installed onto a chassis for a Premier FM Trainmaster (20-2079-0 Cab number 1054 NW)?  Or the Premier Genesis (Amtrak cab 812) onto the same FM chassis?

The prototype Train Masters were about 10' longer than a GP38.  Given that both MTH models are of scale length, the answer would be no.

Rusty

No. Those three locomotives are each completely different from one another. Different trucks, different length frames, different fuel tanks. In short, everything different but the fact they run on the same track. 

OK, so every Premier engine actually got its own chassis design?  I get that trucks and fuel tanks would be different, but those are separate parts from the primary chassis (The stamped metal frame only).  I would have thought MTH would try to find a way to minimize number of inventory parts by combining several models onto a single chassis design.

Are there ANY locos of different heritage that share a chassis?  It's crazy to think that every single one would have a different frame to work from.

Jeff_the_Coaster_Guy posted:

OK, so every Premier engine actually got its own chassis design?  I get that trucks and fuel tanks would be different, but those are separate parts from the primary chassis (The stamped metal frame only).  I would have thought MTH would try to find a way to minimize number of inventory parts by combining several models onto a single chassis design.

Try and think "prototype diesel locomotive" for examples:

1) For EMD 6 axle units, not all have the same underframe from SD7/SD9, to SD35, to SD40, to SD45, to SD40-2, to SD45-2. Why would scale models be any different?

2) For EMD 4 axle units, not all have the same underframe from the GP7/GP9, to the GP35, to the GP40, to the GP40-2. Why would scale models be any different?

Are there ANY locos of different heritage that share a chassis? 

See above answers.

It's crazy to think that every single one would have a different frame to work from.

Now why would you think THAT, if all the various prototype units were/are different?

Jeff_the_Coaster_Guy posted:

It's crazy to think that every single one would have a different frame to work from.

If you want to make accurate models, that's the way to go.  The stamped metal underframe is probably the least expensive body part to make.

Rusty

I’m doing something similar with a premier shell, and it’s close enough that it works...as a dummy at least.  Narrow the GP-7 frame to 5.5cm, drill an new hole for the front truck 3cm fwd, put a 3mm washer underneath & it lines up well.  Sure the trucks are MPC’s far from scale offering, but the MTH shell is fantastic.  A man passing on a galloping horse would never notice. 

@Hot Water, I guess I didn't realize how "to-scale" MTH actually tries to be with the Premier stuff.  I know it was supposed to be a bit more "scale" than the Railking, but given the tradeoffs they have to make for the wheels and trucks (which are definitely not to scale as far as I can tell) I thought maybe they'd try to have a more universal set of chassis parts.  Especially since the chassis are not really visible after everything is built.

@FlyPlanes-PlayTrains: That's kind of what I was thinking. I don't mind poking a few holes or bringing out the cutting wheel here and there.  Just trying to figure out if I can make a passable Genesis unit by losing the FM shell and messing around with the frame until I can get the Genesis to fit.  I'm less concerned about true scale stuff than most I guess...just want to have some neat-looking trains running around pulling some neat looking cars.

I'm sure there's some example of a RK or Premier diesel with the same chassis, but there's a host of different chassis, so finding one that matches is probably a long shot.

There are also some steamers that share the same drive block, but that's usually where the similarity ends.

Jeff_the_Coaster_Guy posted:

As an example, can a shell from a Premier GP38 (Cab #2048 UP) be installed onto a chassis for a Premier FM Trainmaster (20-2079-0 Cab number 1054 NW)?  Or the Premier Genesis (Amtrak cab 812) onto the same FM chassis?

Jeff perhaps you can study the MTH parts guides and answer your question.  If I had to bet NO would be the answer in the majority of cases          j

https://www.mthtrains.com/news/558

I've even found differences within the same engine type.  Wanted to swap some F3 shells between Railking proto-1 and proto-2 frames.  Surprisingly, it was not a straight swap.

Try reading some books about diesel locomotives, i.e. The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide books by Marre & Pinkepank and Locomotives by McDonnell.

LOL @PAUL ROMANO...I appreciate the advice!  To be clear, I wasn't under the assumption that REAL diesel engines shared chassis across makes and brands. (Although, as automotive manufacturers have shown there is precedent for doing just that in transportation)...I was just assuming that MTH may have "dumbed-down" the whole process in order to squeeze some efficiency out of the manufacturing process on toy (er, model) trains.

Think matchbox cars...there are several matchbox car types that were all built on the same "chassis". 

But it sounds like an interesting book nonetheless!

I don't think it's really possible to "dumb down" the manufacture with basic stuff like the chassis.  As Rusty said, the chassis is probably the part that wouldn't save any significant money by attempting to use a different model.

MTH has "dumbed-down" the electronics for the most part, there are only a handful of boards across all models.  Lionel has moved in that direction as well with the new RCMC boards, a common hardware platform for most models, diesel and steam.

I think the truck mechanisms are common among a lot of the locos.    The stamped holes in the frame are the same.    They do some trying to put on correct sideframes which just hang on the trucks - ie are cosmetic as opposed to actually holding the wheels.

If you had two locos that were the same length, it might be a pretty easy kit bash.   As the lengths get farther and farther apart, the probelm with truck location and spacing will make the loco look funny.    However you could cut a frame in half and lengthen to match a different loco.    For exampla a GP35 or GP30 is about 4 ft shorter (1 inch) than a GP38 or GP40.    It would be a relatively easy kit bash to cut a GP35 frame in half and lengthen it to fit a 38 or 40 and since most used the same or similar trucks you could  use those parts too.

MTH uses the stamped frame in the designs I have seen to hold the pilot and end railings.    these things are not attached to the shell.   

Yes there's definitely crossover on trucks, I can make do with those.  Browsing through the MTH parts catalog, it appears that there is very little (if any) chassis sharing as most of you suspected, so I might go the route @prrjim suggests by doing a bit of cutting and drilling and stretching and shrinking and general mashup-ery.

Thanks for all the advice guys.