Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2013 18:41:00 GMT -5
I've been debating with myself for a few years whether or not I want to go to the trouble of making one of these and recently a number of things have peaked my interest in this project, chief among them is a good solution for making the frame.
Well the other day whilst looking through the contemporary diesel spotters guide, I realised that the C40-8 is 70' 8" in length: the same as the SDP45. I have two RPP C40-8 frames complete with Athearn high tower trucks and the flexicoil sideframes so I have my candidate.
Annoyingly I traded both my Kato SD45 and SD40 last year, because now I want the shell from one and the frame for the other (for another project). However, I haven't yet decided, which, walkway and sill to use as I don't fancy matching the treadplate on the Kato item.
I will need to mill the frame and get an EMD fuel tank plus make a motor mount and get the appropriate length drive shafts. I might also have to adjust the frame height, depending on how the shell fits. I'm tempted to make my own hood sides but haven't decided yet?
This isnt going to happen for a few months, got to finish my current pile of projects including: NS C39-8; NW C30-7; NS GP60; Southern GP40X; NW SD40-2: and there is a NS GP50; NS GP59; NS GP60; and NW U33C waiting in the wings. I likely won't finish and/or keep some of those not touched yet but as you can see my bench is filling up fast!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards
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Post by iomalley on Feb 6, 2013 21:37:23 GMT -5
Well I took the cheap way out with my SDP45...the only difficult part was the ends of the rads into the hood extension. RPP body, Athearn SD40T-2 frame and backdated sideframes on HTC trucks...Maybe $50 invested. link to SDP45 build thread |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2013 6:17:39 GMT -5
Your build is very impressive and I've been looking at it quite a bit in my research. I have to say my big problem with this and a couple of other projects (CR SD40-2 and CR SD50) is getting the correct flexicoil trucks. I have my solution with the frame I have, it just means getting the fuel tank and milling the frame. Never pick the easy ones!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards
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Post by T on Feb 7, 2013 9:07:48 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2013 9:23:27 GMT -5
You mention that you will have to mill the frame. Does this mean you have a mill?
If so, get an Athearn SD40 or 45 and splice the frame with a block of aluminum. I did this when I was going to build an SD40A. Got as far as getting the frame spliced and done. Then sold it to Mike Rose.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2013 12:26:30 GMT -5
You mention that you will have to mill the frame. Does this mean you have a mill? If so, get an Athearn SD40 or 45 and splice the frame with a block of aluminum. I did this when I was going to build an SD40A. Got as far as getting the frame spliced and done. Then sold it to Mike Rose. Unfortunately no, loose term if I'm honest but I will use my motor tool to discard as much as is necessary to get the correct fuel tank on it. Because I'm not that accomplished with my motor tool and I don't like the idea of splicing a frame I've waited to get the correct length frame. I'll be working on some other frames in the coming weeks so hopefully I'll have the necessary know how by the time I get around to this. Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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catt
Superintendent
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Post by catt on Feb 7, 2013 17:06:07 GMT -5
When I built mine (still unfinished) I used a RPP SD45 shell and a RPP GP35 shell to extend the body.I used the RPPSD60framke for mine but made the mistake of miscalculating the length.(SDP45 is 5'longer than regular SD45)It allworks but an extra HOfoot of length would have made the job easier.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2013 2:53:29 GMT -5
When I built mine (still unfinished) I used a RPP SD45 shell and a RPP GP35 shell to extend the body.I used the RPPSD60framke for mine but made the mistake of miscalculating the length.(SDP45 is 5'longer than regular SD45)It allworks but an extra HOfoot of length would have made the job easier. If you use an SD60 frame shouldn't it be too long by 4"? Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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dti406
Superintendent
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Post by dti406 on Feb 8, 2013 10:38:52 GMT -5
Hurry up and get this unit done, that way some manufacturer will have anounced it once you get the decals on it!  Rick J Sent from my Etch a Sketch using a string and two cans! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2013 12:03:36 GMT -5
Hurry up and get this unit done, that way some manufacturer will have anounced it once you get the decals on it! Rick J Sent from my Etch a Sketch using a string and two cans! I suddenly feel like Im doing a public service ;-) Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 8:22:53 GMT -5
That's now beat up looking unit! I'm currently formulating my roster for an NS controlled D&H and ex-EL SDP45's (financed by DERECO originally) fit right in so Im gaining even more momentum towards this project... Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards |
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Post by sd45longhoodfoward on Feb 14, 2013 19:50:05 GMT -5
talk about a unique locomotive
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Post by roadkill on Feb 14, 2013 22:00:14 GMT -5
One of those is on my to-do list, my plan is to use a P2K SD45 shell on a stretched Kato SD40/45 chassis.
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
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Post by deez on Feb 15, 2013 2:36:39 GMT -5
The best frame to start with would be an Athearn RTR SD40t-2 or SD45t-2 frame. Same 70' 8" frame with 45' truck centers. I say use the RTR frame because the 4400 gal fuel tank is plastic and removable. You can get the correct 5000 gal fuel tank from Railflyer and modify it to fit on to the Athearn frame. Then just use Athearn SD45 trucks on it. That's the route I'm going for my upcoming SD40A project.
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spike
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They say I can't be Spike anymore, so Mr. Burns it is!
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Post by spike on Feb 15, 2013 20:15:06 GMT -5
Could you use the FP45 frame? It should have the right length, and Flexicoil truxks.
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Post by Canadian Atlantic Railway on Feb 15, 2013 20:21:15 GMT -5
Could you use the FP45 frame? It should have the right length, and Flexicoil truxks. I once had the same thought but the F/FP45 has a different frame with wider weights to make the most out of the cowl shell. |
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Post by ssgburme on Feb 16, 2013 1:12:03 GMT -5
I used an FP45 frame for my SDP45. Lots of milling. I also changed the sideframes out for Smokey valley #300. The ones with low mounted brake cylinders.
Karl
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Post by conrail45dash2 on May 9, 2013 15:34:05 GMT -5
That's what I used for both of my EL SDP45's, an Athearn RTR SD40T2 frame and athearn Flexicoil trucks. I built one as delivered patched for Conrail and the other was the accident damaged unit rebuilt with an SD45-2 radiator section. The notched nose, extended fuel tank and -2 radiator section makes it very unique. Another plus is there's not a lot of milling to do with the SD40T-2 frame, a dreamed will do fine.
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Post by Packer on May 9, 2013 17:06:43 GMT -5
Just curious, would a bluebox FP45 frame work with a bit of milling? Like getting rid of the cast-on tank and narrowing it so it could fit a scale-width hood? Are the truck centers and length right?
I have one in my parts box that I'm contemplating on using if I ever do a BN SDP45
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Post by iomalley on May 10, 2013 9:41:54 GMT -5
Well it would be close, its 45' bolsters vs. SDP45 46' and SD40T-2 45'-5" but you would be milling off a ton of material. even the side rails on the FP45 frame are brutal, the area behind the air tanks has to be cut right back, and the tank contour is wrong. In milling the side rails to make them disappear under a Kato deck, they become pretty thin as there's not alot of lateral width material for strength. You also have to mill the sides of the rear bolster to a dangerously thin profile to fit under a narrow hood. Andy Harmon's option is pretty much all you have for a 46' bolster to bolster length. If you can live with 45'5" like I can, then the SD40T-2 is available to you, pretty much ready to fit framewise. You can take the easy way out and modify the HTC trucks to look like Flexicoils by cutting off the tail casting and inner traction motor, plugging the centre casting hole and filing down the area over the centre axle, or if you can live with dummy trucks as I have, you have to offset the centre axle to flexicoil wheel spacing and use Athearn F45 sideframes.  |
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