Speaker location in a GP-38-2

[Bill B]

I am interested in installing a sound board but cannot find room for a speaker. Will Bachmann make a GP38-2 with sound soon?

[Tom M.]

Bill,

I've done it a couple of times for customers, but it's a real pain.  I have a small milling machine and you have to mill down the rear portion of the frame to make room for a small oval speaker and enclosure.  First you have to totally disassemble the chassis so it can be securely clamped into the milling machine's x/y table.  Even with a milling machine, it takes about an hour to get it done because you can only remove a small amount of material at a time.  You also have to be careful that you don't damage the rear truck mounting area. 

A faster way to do it would be to use a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade.  Unfortunately, I don't have access to a bandsaw.  You might be able to do it with a hacksaw, but that would be tough going and again, you need to make sure you don't damage the truck mounting area as you do it.

Good luck,

Tom

[richg]

I use a 4 inch diameter circular bench sander I picked off of ebay for about $25.00.I keep a container of water nearby because the frame gets quite hot. I use #80 grit on the sander. I use different grades of adhesive backed sandpaper for different jobs.. I remove the guard for doing frames.



I have done this for Bowser/Stewart VO-1000 frames and a Walthers H12-44. The speakers are mounted
over the front truck, firing down.



Might not be the same frame but this will give you some ideas for maybe a future project.

Rich