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Athearn RTR GP38-2
Reviews Views Date of last review
3 679 Wed September 10, 2008
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Recommended By Average Price Average Rating
100% of reviewers $46.98 8.7
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Description: HO RTR GP38-2

Key Features

* Fully assembled and ready to operate
* Factory installed Celcon handrails
* Next-generation drive mechanism with hex drive lines
* Machined RP25 profile metal wheels
* Magnetically operated knuckle couplers
Keywords: Athearn RTR GP38-2


Author
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jbaakko

Diesel Detail Freak

Registered: June 2005
Location: San Diego, CA / Hancock, MI
Posts: 6849
Review Date: Mon November 5, 2007 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $45.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: RTR, better plastic handrails, hex drive
Cons: Old school light, no grab irons

Overall this RTR GP38-2 is much nicer then the Blue Box units, however, they chose to stick to the "crew fryer" cab light.

The unit comes with factory installed plastic handrails, WITH CONTRASTING ends, per the prototype. It runs fine, much better then my F59PHI's with the newer hex drive.

Details are classical Athearn, as are the pilots, which have the normal coupler cut, instead of a full pilot, per prototype, and newer RTR releases. Basically its a Blue Box unit, with a new drive, and new handrails.

If you're lucky enough to pick up the even newer run, they now come with factory installed grab irons, mine did not.

However, since I do not own one of the newest run units (no BNSF in that run), I cannot speak for its lighting...

I'd recommend one of these units, if you're not up top buying an Atlas Trainman, or Proto 2000 GP38-2.

------------------------------
Josh

Models: http://rr.blockchoice.com | My Videos: http://youtube.com/user/jbaakko
Model Railroad Tips: http://www.modelrailroadtips.com | Custom paint services, & Hobby shop: http://www.blockchoice.com
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Review Date: Tue September 9, 2008 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $54.95 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Handrails that don't pop off. Nice detailing. Actual screw mounted coupler pockets
Cons: The shell was a little hard to get off. Old style firecracker light. Old blue-box style drive. No grab irons. Numberboards are not lit

I have a B&M limited run bicentennial scheme unit that was only made in 2006. I picked it up because it was at my LHS for 1/3rd of the price that it went for on ebay. The shell was hard to get off despite hard squeezing. It had an old firecracker style cab light. The drive ran a little smoother than a typical blue box unit but it was the same old style drive. It ran ok coupled with a blue box GP40-2 on DC. I have yet to convert it to DCC although it's not dcc ready.

Grab irons, lit numberboards, and a rear light would be nice
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BIG-D

Registered Member

Registered: September 2008
Review Date: Wed September 10, 2008 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $41.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros:
Cons: no headlights no springs on the coupplers

i just got this same locomotive in the old bn paint scheme but im incredibly satisfied it never droppes the power smooth running and verry responsive to the power-pack it does require me to crank up the amps to get it to get a moove on
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