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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Oct 26, 2020 13:07:43 GMT -8
Will the Athearn Fuel Tanks fit on Atlas models. Looking at the Athearn 3,200 Gallon Tank on the Atlas GP40.
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Post by fishbelly on Oct 26, 2020 15:07:54 GMT -8
Will the Athearn Fuel Tanks fit on Atlas models. Looking at the Athearn 3,200 Gallon Tank on the Atlas GP40. Not directly. The Atlas fuel tank frame is a bit wider. I have done many of these modifications for a friend. A little cutting on the Atlas frame and they fit fine. That is if you have the right tools for the job. The Athearn fuel tank looks great on the Atlas model once they are fitted. |
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Post by TBird1958 on Oct 26, 2020 21:09:17 GMT -8
Will the Athearn Fuel Tanks fit on Atlas models. Looking at the Athearn 3,200 Gallon Tank on the Atlas GP40. They do, they're wide as mentioned but it's not difficult to fit them on. This one has an Athearn short hood as well.  |
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Post by markfj on Oct 27, 2020 5:54:29 GMT -8
Is the Athearn tank a Genesis part? If so, it looks really good!
How much material needs to be removed from the Atlas frame for the Athearn tank to fit? Is the frame modification a process that requires a mill?
Thanks, Mark
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Post by fishbelly on Oct 27, 2020 6:50:30 GMT -8
Yes, the fuel tank is in their Genesis line and you can buy them as separate parts from Athearn. I ordered a whole bunch of them from DCC Trains last year. All the different sizes.
It is not a lot. I do not have one on hand to be able to measure and tell you. Basically measure the opening of the Athearn fuel tank and measure the Atlas frame and do simple subtraction. It is not only the sides of the frame that need to be cut, but also the steps at each end of the fuel tank.
Yes, a mill is of great help in this. It would take a very long time to grind, file and sand.
Now the other option is to do what Tbird did and modify the fuel tank instead of the Atlas frame. Make the tank fit the frame.
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Post by TBird1958 on Oct 27, 2020 7:14:58 GMT -8
Not having a mill, I opted for modifying the tank - path of least resistance, however, I'm certain that milling the motor block down some would result in a great improvement of the whole sill/underframe. Here's another shot of one of mine, the weak part is just behind the fuel sight gauge, you can see a bit of the motor block, it's not possible to hide this with a simulated "I" channel. Atlas should have corrected this long ago.....  |
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Post by markfj on Oct 27, 2020 8:18:00 GMT -8
Ok, that’s good information to know about the frame.
Great work TBird. What a difference it makes to the overall model when you upgrade details below deck.
Thanks, Mark
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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Oct 27, 2020 14:11:11 GMT -8
Not having a mill, I opted for modifying the tank - path of least resistance, however, I'm certain that milling the motor block down some would result in a great improvement of the whole sill/underframe. Here's another shot of one of mine, the weak part is just behind the fuel sight gauge, you can see a bit of the motor block, it's not possible to hide this with a simulated "I" channel. Atlas should have corrected this long ago..... What Gallon Fuel Tank is that 3,200 Gal. ? |
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Post by TBird1958 on Oct 27, 2020 14:35:34 GMT -8
Matt. that's a 3600 gallon tank, I think the 3200 would still fitas the length of the motor block is pretty short.
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Post by dtinut on Nov 2, 2020 11:17:22 GMT -8
Atlas models has 2 sizes of fuel tanks for the GP frame (China) - 2600 and 3600 gal.
They both fit over the motor mount on the frame - so pretty much any of the Athearn tanks should work on the Atlas chassis with some work to make them fit up, unless you need to do a forward position 2600 gal tank or the 1700 gal tank (not too many RR's had those - but MILW and SOU both had GP38's with the 1700 gal tank.
If you need someone to mill the frame - I can do it for $10 plus return postage.
Regards,
Brian
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