[jonathanj]

Hi all,

Has anyone got one hold of a GP40 yet? I'd like to know if aristo engineered a new shorter power block (94.5mm vs 98mm wheelbase in metric money, something like 3.72"vs3.86" imperial) for the blomberg trucks, or just put overlength sideframes on the same 9'4" scale unit they use under the FA/U25B etc.

(And if they did do a new unit, when they gonna list them as spares..)

Thanks

Jonathan

 

[W3NZL]

The new motor blocks R shorter than the older blocks, pretty nice
unit too, basically a 2 axle version of their 3 axle block with
a single large motor...
Paul R...

 

[N1CW]

Jonathan

Back in late Jan, Lewis Polk addressed part of your question.

http://www.aristocraft.com/vbulletinforums/showthread.php?t=11362&highlight=motor

 

[jonathanj]

Thanks Guys -

Sounds like these are just the units I want, and probably a good replacement for the USAt version as well.

In Lewis's piece, he talks about a different motor voltage - does that mean that these trucks have 9 or 12v motors, and have to run in series pairs? I can't think of any other likely reason.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[Paul Burch]

Jonathan,
If you should convert a USA GP to the new Aristo truck keep us posted on how it went. I'm contemplating buying another GP40 and a SD45 and making a SD40,then using the GP trucks for a USA GP conversion. I have so far been impressed with the new Aristo trucks.

 

[rpc7271]

From the sounds of things on the Aristo forum it will be at least a couple of years before the GP40 trucks are available separately or you can buy a new GP40 take the trucks off and scrap the rest.

 

[W3NZL]

I used to do a lot of that kind of truck swapping stuff, every 6 axle USA
loco that I own has the Aristo blocks under it... Unfortunately for most
people this kind of thing is no longer very practical from a cost standpoint..
The price of motorblocks has more than doubled in the last few years, so it
might make sense to pick up a whole unit on some kind of super sale and do
exactly that, steal the trucks and scrap the rest, U may find the price
difference is nil... One thing is for sure though, the cost-benefit equation
isn't near as favorable as it once was...
Paul R...