Electro-Motive Division (EMD) introduced the GP38-2 as part of its Dash 2 line in 1972. This versatile 2,000-hp locomotive quickly gained popularity, and 2,222 units were built by mid-1987.
Over the years the GP38-2 evolved through several different radiator and fan combinations, and regular or extended-range dynamic brakes. Life-Like incorporates the appropriate details for each authentic paint scheme.
This model matches the GP38-2 drawing in the Model Railroader Cyclopedia: Vol. 2, Diesel Locomotives (Kalmbach Publishing Co.).
Three different long hoods are used to assemble the body shells, and many alternate parts provide the details to match a specific prototype. These choices include:
· Early or late air filter boxes
· Three different radiator and cooling fan combinations
· A plain engine hood or two different dynamic brake housings
· Either EMD standard Geep or high-adhesion sideframes
· Two sizes of fuel tanks
· Numerous alternate smaller details applied as needed
Overall, about 80 items are neatly installed at the factory, and all of them are painted or molded in the proper colors.
A dozen optional parts like snowplows, sunshades, and cab all-weather windows are left to the buyer to install if desired.
Clear styrene windows with windshield wipers are flush-fitted into the cab, and the steps have a see-through grating.
The body is secured by the coupler boxes and a pair of small screws through the underframe. One screw is hidden under the lead truck sideframe on the fireman’s side just ahead of the fuel tank. The other is in the diagonally opposite location back of the fuel tank on the engineer’s side.
Our sample came neatly decorated in the Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s Heritage I paint scheme. However, its trucks should be dark green instead of silver. All of its lettering was clear and opaque.
The locomotive has a cast-metal chassis and a five-pole motor with dual brass flywheels. Its directional lighting circuits are on a printed-circuit board that’s mounted across the top of the weight. The truck gearboxes are made of acetal plastic held together with snap locks.
A built-in eight-pin plug is provided for easy installation of a Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. Note: The original headlight lamps must be replaced with 12-volt lamps for use with most DCC decoders. However, Digitrax has introduced its no. DH163LO decoder, made as a replacement PC board, with a current limiter to operate the 1.5-volt lamps.
Our sample started and ran smoothly, although its breakaway speed was a little high. This usually improves as the model is run in. Its speed range is perfect for a freight locomotive, reaching a top speed of 62.5 scale mph at 12 volts.
The GP38-2’s drawbar pull of 4.8 ounces is excellent. It’s equivalent to about 67 free-rolling cars on straight and level track.
Overall, Life-Like’s Proto 2000 GP38-2 is a great puller, and its specific railroad detailing makes it a standout model.
Price: $95 each
Manufacturer:
Life-Like Products Inc.
1600 Union Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211-1998
www.lifelikeproducts.com
Description:
Plastic and metal ready-to-run
diesel locomotive
Features:
Blackened, nickel-silver RP-25
wheels, correctly gauged
Directional constant lighting
Drawbar pull: 2.72 ounces (38
free-rolling cars on straight and
level track)
Dual flywheels
Eight-wheel electrical pickup
Engine weight: 18 ounces
Lighted number boards
Five-pole skew-wound motor
Proto 2000 magnetic knuckle
couplers mounted at the
correct height
Minimum radius: 18″
Optional small details
Road names:
(two numbers each)
Burlington Northern Santa
Fe; Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific; CSX; Illinois Central;
Milwaukee Road; Norfolk
Southern; Seaboard Coast
Line; Lehigh Valley; and
undecorated
