Kato HO SD45 ATSF

[ngartshore350]

Hi All,

Here is an ATSF SD45 I plan on adding some details to:

i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/ngartshore350/IMG_6030.jpg

i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/ngartshore350/IMG_6029.jpg

Planning on using the following to give it a little facelift:

Cannon & Company - HO - Thinwall EMD 48" Radiator Fans

Cannon & Company - Thinwall EMD 48" Dynamic Brake Fans

Plano Model Products - HO Scale - Intake Grilles for EMD SD45

Details West - Rotary Beacon w/Cored Lens

Hoping to make it look better and allow sound to escape more easily from the shell through the fans

Not knowing a great deal about this model I really hope I chose the right parts for the model.

Regards,

Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

It depends on how accurate you want to make it. The ATSF had these diesels for a LONG time and many modifications were made as they aged and regulations changed. They went through many different significant changes including unit numbers and paint liveries. Try to find pictures of the locomotive you want to model and then finish your list of parts for it. The particular SD-45 you have was typical of the Santa Fe's last order built in 69-70. The high mounted brake cylinders were the first of several spotting features. The unit number on yours is correct for that series up to 1985. It was shopped and it received number 5403. I hope I haven't discouraged you. There are many folks on this forum that will be happy to answer questions, so ask away!

Cheers, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that information! Have been looking for pictures online to assist in making the model as it was at the time.

Regards,

Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

What time period are you looking at?

Cheers, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the delayed responses, have been away for work and have a 7 month old at home so things are busy.

With my very limited knowledge of ATSF SD45's or any SD45 and the names and functions of the details on locomotives, I am looking at 1978 or 1981. Mainly because I can find photos of similar numbers to use a reference. I have a picture from RailPictues.Net by Pete Piszczek of 5596 in 1981. Alternatively another picture from RailPictues.Net by John Wiesmann shows 5589 in 1978 looking fairly fresh. Leaning towards 1978. I have seen a few photos of 53xx series numbering but I am not sure of the era this numbering was used and tending not to use these photos. As you mentioned I can find photos of the locomotive as 5403 but not as 5592.

Keeping in mind I am not an expert, when you mentioned that "high mounted brake cylinders" were a spotting feature I assume you mean the cylinders on the side of the trucks? I thought they were all mounted in that position, there you go you never to old to learn something.

I have used the late SD45 parts as from what I have read (unless it was incorrect information?!) that the later models had the hand brake on the hood rather than at the front near the cab. I assume the ATSF SD45's has the Dynamic Brake T-Vent from what I can see?

Thanks for you help!

Regards,

Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

Your particular SD-45 had a bit different equipment than the first 3 orders the ATSF placed. All of the ATSF's SD45's in the first three orders had their brake cylinders mounted between the wheels of the trucks, hence low mounted brakes. In a derailment, they were frequently damaged. As the years went by, the shops replaced some trucks with high mounted brakes. The Kato model has the high mounted brakes. They did come with the brake wheels moved to the rear of the long hood on the engineer's side. I'm not sure, I don't believe the first orders were delivered with the T-vents. They were added rather quickly to help cool the dynamics. Yours came with a T-vent mounted. The T-vent is included with the Kato model. It also came with an EF cabinet behind the conductor's side the others may have added later. I use the Details West VF-161(it comes with a nice T-vent also). Another anomaly was the snow plow which came on the last order. The DW PL-155 is a good match. It looks like some of these units were fitted with Locotrol in your time period, you will need to consult your pictures. You are looking for a large ground plane on top of the cab with two "cans" on it. There will be a ground plane with a third radio "can" mounted on the dust bin or inertial filter hatch. Details Associates makes a good can antenna RA-1801. One package will have three antennas. Again, watch your photos. I have some pictures of 5398 an early 90's SD-45 that I built many years ago that I can load up if you like. I don't have many late 70's early 80's pics that are mine. I hope this helps some.

Cheers, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Mike,

Thanks great info! I notice some seem to have a square unit mounted to the cab that looks like an A/C unit, is that what it is and do you know what detailing part would best model that?

Pictures would be good!

regards,
Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

It was not fun to work with Photobucket much tonight. I loaded 15 images of my Kato SD-45 and put them in a file. Address is below. I think the box you are referring to is the EF cabinet on the walkway behind the conductor. Here is a picture of mine;

i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt353/mtomei51/Kato%20SD-45/modelpics020_zps57e79b53.jpg

I hope these links work for you. This is the Details West VF-161 to which I was referring before. The other model in my pictures is a Kato SD-40-2 that I built at the same time as the SD-45.

s627.photobucket.com/user/mtomei51/library/Kato%20SD-45

If you have questions, please ask, I'll try to answer them.

Cheers, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Hi Mike,

The pictures came through fine thanks, they are awesome!

I don't think I explained myself very well about "square unit mounted to the cab that looks like an A/C unit", I meant on the roof of the cab.

Which I think is Details West VF-158 Details West - Air Conditioner - Vapor Type?!

Certainly the other part numbers are great thanks!

Regards,

Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

The DW 158 unit is generally the one they used on their EMD's. It will mount in the same place as the one on mine. Sounds like you have it pretty well figured out now. We'll want to see some pictures of your progress at some point....

Cheers, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Mike,

Yes think I'm nearly there, have to build it yet! One last question, do you know of a manufacturer and part number for the stand used for the beacon on the cab roof? Having trouble knowing what it is called and who may manufacture one.

Regards,

Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

If you need a stand for the flasher beacon I think the Plano 182 will work, it goes on the roof side over the conductor's window. If the flasher is on the flat part of the cab use the Plano 183.

Regards, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Mike,

Thanks, I found that one. I am sure I tried to write a response that said I found one?!

Regards,

Nigel

[santafemikie]

Hi Nigel,

Then I'm sure I'm confused. Are you talking about the antenna ground plane on the cab roof? It's a platform with an antenna on it. If you're calling that a radio beacon, I'm okay with that. I apologize, I thought you meant a flasher beacon. I'm a bit short on the uptake at times....

Details West makes a kit if the ground plane measures 3 foot X 3 foot. Use DW AS-352, antenna "A". I usually make my own,(see my photos) it's much less expensive. It's also nice if you need a larger platform for RCE service antennas. If the antenna ground plane is mounted on the dust bin right behind the cab, DW-222 or DW-223 depending on where it is located. I built one of these on my SD-40-2. Let me know what you need to do. I'm sorry about the confusion.

Regards, Mike

[ngartshore350]

Mike,

You understood just fine, was looking for a beacon stand for the edge of the cab, just like the one you suggested!

Regards,

Nigel

[ngartshore350]

Hi,


Here is the finished product, just a couple of bits and light weathering.


Nigel

[dekon]

Very nice!

[Randy Earle]

I'll tell ya what, that's a nice looking engine for sure!

[ngartshore350]

I'd like to thank Mike for his help explaining parts I had no idea what to call them or their detail part numbers

[simulatortrain]

Great work!