I found from Colin in the Netherlands that Life-Like offered one in their Proto 2000 series, along with Walther's. An interesting note is that P2K locos are usually equipped with Athearn drive parts, making this a less than original idea.
The frame is cut and reassembled. At this point I hard wired the motor, one of the most basic modifications one can do to improve the performance of Athearn Blue Box locomotives.
...after...
I then filled in the front and rear pilots and built up coupler mounting pads to take Kadee #5 couplers. I modified their draft gear by filing off the backs of the boxes to the spring to help make clearance for the trucks. I also installed stops for the body shell. I hope to figure out a way to screw mount the shell, it fits snug but I'm still unable to lift it from the track by anything but the fuel tank.
The rear only needed a few bits trimmed flat for the drive to sit even...
Here it is, assembled and ready to go...
As I figured, it pulls like an ox and runs even with my Atlas GP-40, making for a good mu'ed pair pulling long trains at shows. At this point, I'll be pulling back as I haven't decided the next course of action. I still need one handrail and I'm pondering just how detailed I'd like to go---grabs, lift rings and all or, a simple touch up and run it as a "stock" Tyco sleeper? I still have to come up with paint matches as well. Time will tell, until then, I'll be running it as is just to enjoy the sight.
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