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Re: (erielack) there is hope!

Sorry for the O/T.   A GP39-2 is basically a GP38-2 with a turbocharger, 
which makes it good for about 2300 horsepower if I remember correctly. 
About the only major differences in carbody to a GP38-2 for most is a 
GP40-type brake hatch and GP-35 style radiator grilles.

GP39-2's came in several phases, the first three fairly similar, the last 
(IV) somewhat different.

Original buyers:
Santa Fe (phases I, II, III)
BN (phase IV)
D&H (phase I)
Reading (phase I)
Kennecott Copper (as built, extra tall cab for visibility reasons)

Secondhand buyers/owners:
D&H (the Reading units)
Guilford (the Reading and D&H units)
Willamette & Pacific (Santa Fe units, other G&W west coast shortlines may 
have more)
CSX (the Reading units, again, what was left of them)
Union Pacific (the oriignal D&H units, via B&M/Guilford)
MKT (the Kennecott Copper unit - also later to UP)
One or two of the UP units came back to a New Hampshire shortline who's name 
I can't think of, also.  There could be other shortline secondhand owners as 
well.


To keep this somewhere close to topic:  Reading and D&H units would be 
reasonable to see if you have an EL layout set on the east end of the 
system.  If you model a 1976-1993 era Southern Tier, you'd need to buy some 
D&H, some Reading and paint them out (some were still in RDG green well 
after they'd become CSX units), and some Guilford grey.

But with Santa Fe and UP in the list, the sales potential is pretty good.  I 
memorized most of this a few years ago when I was emailing Athearn 
suggesting they tool one up.  I guess I'm glad I never finished kitbashing 
any.


The SDP45 is a longer shot - after EL and Conrail you have SP, UP, MRL, 
leasers for M-K and Helm, and maybe a couple other schemes, but most of them 
are three or fewer total units.  But as noted if anyone does them in HO I 
would expect it to be Athearn, given it would be the least expensive for 
them to tool it up.

One more thing - if I remember right, M-K put the cab/nose from one of the 
SDP45s onto a former Kennecott Copper GP39-2 to standardize it, and it's in 
Helm's lease fleet somewhere.


Bill K.


- ----- Original Message ----- 
> From Archives_@_Railfan.net
> Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 02:10:32 -0600
> From: "Bradley Butcher" <llyengalyn_@_hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: (erielack) there is hope!
>
> Well I just thought the 39 was fairly rare so if they are willing to make 
> that maybe someone would do the SDP
>
>  Bradley,
>
>  Actually, I was sort of anticipating this from Atlas as soon as they 
> decided to do the GP40-2 after already doing a '38-2.  It seems logical 
> given the relatively similar components between all three EMD units.  Now, 
> if only they would have announced some in the original D&H lightning 
> stripe scheme, I could get excited.
>
>  The first batch of these was delivered to the D&H a few weeks before the 
> demise of the EL, correct?  I'll have to double check their delivery date.
>
>  Don't know what hope this should give you for an SDP45, because I 
> wouldn't expect it from Atlas.  Not when Athearn has such a head start on 
> bringing an SDP45 model to market, given that Athearn essentially has all 
> they need from the frame down with their Genesis FP45.  Of course, with 
> the economy being what it is, this might not happen any time soon.
>
>  -pat moore
>
>
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