I would greatly appreciate any insights!
Last year, for Christmas, one of my kids was given a P1k Erie-Built Santa Fe A-unit. He LOVES it! Which is great...and now the top thing on his list for Santa is a powered B-unit to go with it, which is quite a challenge to find. Ideally, I'd like to get the actual P1K unit so that there's a better chance of the powertrains being matched (we're running DCC), but time's running out, and I haven't been able to track one down yet. This leads me to my 2-part question:
1) As there's no perfect match available on ebay right now, I've acquired an A/B pair with UP shells as a worst-case scenario backup. Unfortunately, Walthers' wants $65 for an ATSF b-unit shell, so I really can't justify going that route (with Mrs Claus). Right now, there are some P2K engines listed for sale with powered As and dummy Bs. Currently, some E6s are listed. Is it possible to swap the shells on the chassis (i.e. put the B shell over the powered chassis)? Important point--needs to be easily done--I don't have the time right now to attempt major mods. Additionally, does an E6 have approximately the same dimensions as the Erie-builts? I haven't been able to track down this data online--I know an Alco PB could work reasonably well, but I'm not sure about other engine models.
2) Any other suggestions on how I might be able to accomplish this? Anyone know where I can get one or find a B-unit shell or do some sort of substitution like I mentiond above?
Thanks so much for any insights and ideas--Christmas is less than 3 weeks away, and I'm starting to get worried (I hate to think that Santa won't be able to deliver)!
Steve
Last year, for Christmas, one of my kids was given a P1k Erie-Built Santa Fe A-unit. He LOVES it! Which is great...and now the top thing on his list for Santa is a powered B-unit to go with it, which is quite a challenge to find. Ideally, I'd like to get the actual P1K unit so that there's a better chance of the powertrains being matched (we're running DCC), but time's running out, and I haven't been able to track one down yet. This leads me to my 2-part question:
1) As there's no perfect match available on ebay right now, I've acquired an A/B pair with UP shells as a worst-case scenario backup. Unfortunately, Walthers' wants $65 for an ATSF b-unit shell, so I really can't justify going that route (with Mrs Claus). Right now, there are some P2K engines listed for sale with powered As and dummy Bs. Currently, some E6s are listed. Is it possible to swap the shells on the chassis (i.e. put the B shell over the powered chassis)? Important point--needs to be easily done--I don't have the time right now to attempt major mods. Additionally, does an E6 have approximately the same dimensions as the Erie-builts? I haven't been able to track down this data online--I know an Alco PB could work reasonably well, but I'm not sure about other engine models.
2) Any other suggestions on how I might be able to accomplish this? Anyone know where I can get one or find a B-unit shell or do some sort of substitution like I mentiond above?
Thanks so much for any insights and ideas--Christmas is less than 3 weeks away, and I'm starting to get worried (I hate to think that Santa won't be able to deliver)!
Steve