Do the pilots need to be modified to accept the Kadee 805's on the MTH GP40's & GP38-2's?

 Hi Frank, I have the MTH GP38

http://mthtrains.com/content/20-2903-2

I had to modify it to get the coupler height perfect. It was too low. I think I grinded the body a little as I thought that would be easier than modifying the pilot. I'm not sure what other models would need this or if it would be a problem with 3 rail wheels.

I have the recently-released GP38-2's and the U25B's. On the 4-axle diesels (so far, anyway) no modifications are necessary to install Kadee 805's. On the 6-axle units, you need to shave/grind off about 1/8" from the back of the draft box to clear the 3-rail coupler mounting tab on the power trucks (Kadee 804/805) or use Kadee 806 couplers. I prefer the 805's as they have a longer shank and more swing.

Good Day Gentlemen,

Thanks for the information.

Regards,

Frank

Hi Matt,

What roadname did you select on your GP38-2's? Can you post a picture with the Kadees's installed?

When are you moving to the DFW area? I live in Plano.

Regards,

Frank

Coupler height was perfect and no modifications was necessary.

Was that according to a Kadee coupler height gauge, while actually sitting on track?

When did you move back to North Texas? Last I heard you were in Tusla, OK.

The GP38's I bought were in CNW livery (no surprise, there.) Here are a few photos. There's a Youtube of one of them with a couple of PRB hoppers in tow on a test run here: http://youtu.be/9hvGZ8nq7o0

I'm converting a bunch of Weaver cars to 2-rail for these to pull in a multi-loco consist. I just took delivery of replacement wheelsets and will start changing them out this weekend.

On my Conrail GP40 I did not have to adjust the pilot. I did have to shave a little off the back of the coupler box though.

 Well it was so low, that the uncoupler arm hit the rails going over the (2 rail!) switches. Maybe I just got a bad one. Only engine that did this. Well, I shaved the bodies on the AC6000s to adapt them to two rail use the same way.

 I've had to shave the box's depth a few times for clearance on different models truck swing. I like the coupler action on the standard boxes. The short 806 box works backwards to me.

That didn't answer the question: how did it match up to a Kadee coupler height gauge? Just because the un-coupler arm touched the rails, all that is need is to bend up the arm. In fact Kadee makes a special pair of pliers just to bend  those arms up or down.

Frank,

As noted here are a couple of my BNSF GP38-2's with the new Kadee 745 couplers, no modification and they are the correct height.

 Hot water, You're right (again), I did not answer that because, as you might guess, I don't have a height gauge. It was lower than every piece of equipment I own. When I set the height, I use the instructions and measure off the rails (25/32). From my memory, It was about 3/32 too low? Way too low to allow it to even stay coupled with other engines.

 I bought a couple of 3 rail AC6000s and their pilots were tipped downward. I did the same grind of the body and then used the frame to straighten them out. Maybe because I buy so many used products, I find the rejects. Joe

Thank you to all that posted some pics of these units. I've never seen pics of the fixed pilot versions. I'm interested in some variety in locomotive power and looking for some more 4 axle power. My plan is to get a few GP38's and 40's to paint into SP and SSW.

Good Day,

I'd be a buyer for the Cotton Belt GP40-2's. I really light the light package on these engines.

Regards,
Swafford

It should be. That is an "official" EMD builder photo.

Good Day,

Yes, the picture is an official EMD Builder photo. I have an original slide as well as a picture of this engine.  I also have the Rio Grande GP40-2 picture. I like the Rio Grande too!

Regards, 

Swafford

Oh yes the GP40/40-2 thread!  Both the SP and the DRGW units would be spectacular in 2R O scale!    I suspect another run of 4 axle units is coming from MTH and if they would have the correct details for these units in particular they would be awesome sellers!   I wouldn't mind seeing the trucks updated in terms of detail and the sideframes brought in on the 2R scale wheel versions.  

I really don't have much hope for Atlas to bring a GP40-2 to market, but would be pleasantly surprised if they do. 

I agree. It would be nice if, instead of mounting holes in the side frames, they used either elongated holes or slots so you could adjust the frames to suite the wheels. You have to be very careful moving them in as the brake shoes come hair-close to the wheels and would short out a 2-rail operation.

Wow sweet photos and video.  Those GeePs look great.  Matt you must be excited to be switching over some equipment to 2 rail.  I don't have much in the way of EMD probably 80% GE, but I love the sounds of those GeePs! GE stuff sounds like an airplane whine trying take off. Keep posting, I'll be reading along.

Hello Matt, I've got two older Mike's GP40's with the China block trucks and I managed to scale wheel them (with lot's of coffee, a good vise and a few cuss words). The detail on these older models ('02) in no way compliment's the newer models, but they still look neat rolling on the scale wheels. The question of moving the truck frames in closer for added visual detail, I noticed after working on mine that there's a lot of side to side movement of the wheelsets in the truck block. They are in proper gauge and mounted equally on the axles length. In hindsight, what I should have done is put brass spacer washers behind each wheel to eliminate all or some of the side to side slop and still retained the easy rolling effort.  This is a short wheelbase truck and I don't think doing this would have caused any wheel binding on a curve.

Good Day, 

I'd really like to see a GP50 made...................sweet! 

Regards, 

Swafford

 I'm glad to see other's engines don't need any mods. I thought about deleting the posts I've made so nobody gets detured.

 I sure like where it's going with these pics! I may have to get a SP engine someday. I swore I would stick to certain roads (CSX and BNSF mainly). These pics are making it tough.

I solved the scale wheel dilemma with my early MTH GP40 by buying two new motor blocks with scale wheels for 2-rail from Weaver. That eliminated the short wheel base but then made it have the Weaver too long wheel base.  The Weaver Blomberg side frames are still correct so the axles don't perfectly line up on the truck with the side frames.  To me that was less bothersome than the MTH too short truck.  Each to his own.  The next issue with the MTH early GP40 was the GP9 steps and pilot they used.  For that I need to buy some Atlas GP35 steps or scratch build.  I've yet to finish that project, since MTH came out with their new and improved version.  I guess my question about the new and improved version is, are the new steps, pilot pieces correct for EMD units from the GP30 onward?

Greg

Good Day,

GP40-2 and GP39-2 photo's I have collected. 

Hey Joe, How about a pair of Chessie GP40-2's?..............sweet!

Regards,

Swafford

 I'll get blasted for this one..........

When I first saw the Chessie scheme, I hated it. Since then it has grown on me. For some reason now it's one of my favorites? I think it represents the history of the roads I want to model. I bought one and need to get more. When it's parked near the Allegheny, it seems to fit right in, and tie the Allegheny to all the diesels.

 Running the Alaska around as a switcher to move banks of cars, has become a favorite past time. I wish it had electro couplers.