I've been thinking about getting the SF war bonnet version.
I realize its not as good as the atlas GP60 but exactly how far "off" is it?
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It's not really about the model being "off" I would say, it's simply that the MTH model is not as well-detailed as the Atlas version, especially with the trucks. Given the choice between the two I'd pick the Atlas one myself, even if the MTH one was cheaper.
Having seen both, I agree with John on this one. The Atlas was better done, plus it had command control. Atlas also had the GP60B in powered and non-powered.
Yes, for some reason the trucks on the mth model just don't look right.
I just can't figure out exactly what it is.
Originally Posted by Flash:
Yes, for some reason the trucks on the mth model just don't look right.
I just can't figure out exactly what it is.
"Chunky Looking" is how I would describe it. 
In fairness to MTH, the detailing of those truck sideframes were pretty much on par with other O gauge diesel truck sideframes of the time; it took Atlas O to break that paradigm and MTH along with the others have made some significant improvements in that department over the past several years. 
The truck side frames look "chunky" because MTH simply used an older style EMD truck from the GP38s. Those trucks have the brake shoes on the ends. The prototype GP60Ms used a later truck without those end-mounted brake shoes. The more accurate Atlas trucks can be seen on the engine on the right in this photo:
Cut off the brake shoes with a rotary tool, and the MTH PS 1 trucks still won't be quite right, but you will at least get rid of the "chunky" look (as you aptly put it).
I had one of these engines in PS 1, but got rid of it in favor of the Atlas model. It was not as nicely detailed, and the fuel tank was too small. But it was a good runner, and I actually liked the QSI sounds better than the Railsounds package in the Atlas model.
RM
