SD9-M -GVR #1997

[catt]

Guess this is as good a place as any to post this since it definitely qualifies as a cheap project.This old gal was originally a birthday present to my self in 1980 so it has been around awhile.

The short hood was chopped in 1997 and the newer cab was installed in 2001 The loco was painted blue and yellow then.



Current project has the dynamics removed and the brake blister smoothed over (first saw this on a Conrail GP-7/9 and liked the way it looked.I have replaced the radiator grilles with PLANO units for a PROTO 2000 SD-9 (big difference in looks).Between the grilles,Athearn nickel silver wheel sets and the Krylon primer I bought this morning I currently have just under $20.00 in the project,the decoder will double that I' sure.

Here is what she looks like on the first day of 2013. ;D

[cf7]

Looks good, catt. Can't wait to see it finished. Maybe that will fire me up to get mine back out!

[catt]

Chuck, I've been wanting to get this project going for a couple years.Then I found those PLANO grilles for the Proto 2000 SD9s tried them ,liked them, and it just went from there.

The fact that this is a wide body does not bother me at all.The loco is not ever going to be in any contests except maybe one with my other projects to get it done. ;D

[catt]

Spent a little more time smoothin' things out and took a new pic.



Trying to decide what to do with the fans,I have three choices as I see it.

1. Replace the 4 molded on 36" fans with ATLAS ,BLMA,or CANNON 36" fans

2. Replace the 4 - 36" fans with 3 ATLAS or CANNON 48" fans

3. Replace the 4 - 36" fans with 2 ATLAS or CANNON 48" fans

I am open to suggestions.By the way if I can find one I am thinking of replacing the cab you see with one from a ATLAS SD 26 with the split windshield.

[liengineerbob]

Go with a pair of 48" fans....it will look different!

[CP_8530]

Since it's been "upgraded" with a chop-nose and new cab, you could "upgrade" the rad fans to twin 48" ones as per the SD18. SD24's were built with 3, probably to accommodate the upgrade in horsepower from 1800hp to 2400hp. If your unit maintains the original HP, the extra fan probably isn't needed and would be an extra expense for your RR.

Assuming this is an Athearn SD9, you might have issues with the Atlas cab (designed for a scale-width hood) fitting on the Athearn unit.

[catt]

I need to go to my LHS tomorrow so I will check out the CANNON fans there.If they are out I may just hit the bay for some ATLAS fans.

The SD45 cab that is on there now is from a RPP shell and it works ok.Biggest problem with the ATLAS cab is finding it.

[catt]

Got the fans replaced today.After comparing different fans today at the LHS I decided to go with the Detail Associates 48" Q-fans.I did give the Cannon fans some serious thought (they are awesome) but some of those bits and pieces looked mighty breakable for my clumsy hands.The DA fans are open and include seperate fans that will be painted light grey or silver and be installed after the loco is painted.

Next up comes some lift rings hand grabs,and some other details.Anyway here is a pic of the installed fan housings.

[liengineerbob]

Those look good. Pretty close the what the SD24 fans looked like. I'm jealous that you actually have a hobby shop around you that actually carries detail parts!!

[catt]

We have four shops in the area.Two of them will order quickly if they don't have it in stock.One shop is mostly second hand stuff but has a deal with another shop to piggyback orders (takes a little longer).

Fouth shop I have given up on entirely.They won't place a oder till it totals $500. or more they expect you to call them to find out when and if the stuff you have ordered shows up.I had high hopes for this shop as it is owned by local mrr's

My favorite is Rider's because they have mrr's working the train department plus the store manager is a mrr. ;D

[catt]

Not a whole lot of progress,but at least a little bit.Coupler pockets are started ,I have not decided if I want to body mount the couplers or leave them frame mounted.I need to install some grab irons on the front plus the front and rear sand filler hatches.I am keeping the stock Athearn handrails.This is a low buck (under $100.00 total) project.So far I am doing real good. I have less than $30.00 invested ,still need (want ) DCC and LED lighting.





Final colour (s) Krylon (rattlecan) Fusion burgundy and light gray.