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Post by sprailfan1996 on Jun 8, 2017 13:08:17 GMT -5
I'm going to make SP SD60's sometime soon, but I don't know if I should use Athearn SD60's or Proto 2000 SD60's as a base model. These engines will be assigned to pull my 1990's intermodal and piggyback trains with my SD50's and GP60's. I need weight, for pulling power, and smooth operation, for slow speeds in the yards, as well as something that's easily upgradable to DCC. I want to know an experienced modelers opinion, as i have only been in the hobby for 2 years. So my question is, should i use Athearn SD60's, or Proto 2000 SD60's for this project?
any advice is helpful, thanks
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fr8kar
Chairman
Little man raise the cotton, beer joints get the money
Posts: 309
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Post by fr8kar on Jun 8, 2017 16:38:12 GMT -5
I'm going to make SP SD60's sometime soon, but I don't know if I should use Athearn SD60's or Proto 2000 SD60's as a base model. These engines will be assigned to pull my 1990's intermodal and piggyback trains with my SD50's and GP60's. I need weight, for pulling power, and smooth operation, for slow speeds in the yards. I want to know an experienced modelers opinion, as i have only been in the hobby for 2 years. So my question is, should i use Athearn SD60's, or Proto 2000 SD60's for this project? any advice is helpful, thanks Walthers has revised the old Proto 2000 SD60 to include, among other things, a new drive and redesigned trucks. As far as I know these are just announced and not yet produced. On the old P2K models, the trucks were a major sticking point for me, since the design of the pickup strip caused the sideframes to protrude outward nearly even with the outer edge of the sill. The drive was some strange gear ratio that resulted in high rpm and slow speed, but massive torque. The models were also crazy heavy for their size. So, if you want lots of pulling power and don't mind trucks that look strange sticking out so far and a drive that won't play well with other models, the old models are great. Side by side with the Athearn shell, the P2K model looks good, but for me the Athearn model just edges it out. The paint and lettering on the Athearn model is fantastic and the cab is superior. Athearn's drive works well with other models and the trucks are fantastic. There's not much detail to look at below the sill, though. You'll probably want to do some additional detailing down there and add your own pilot details. I remember having an undecorated P2K model and it came with all kinds of details for the pilots that are missing on the Athearn models I've seen. If it were me, I'd go with the Athearn model because of the compatibility of the drive, the trucks (you can swap Athearn and Smokey Valley trucks to model different variations on the HT-C), the paint and the overall look of the shell. I don't mind doing my own detail work (who here among us on the Diesel Detailer objects to detailing diesels?!) |
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Post by sprailfan1996 on Jun 9, 2017 10:08:06 GMT -5
Thanks Ryan. i have both look into the Athearn model a lot more and experiment with it pulling some heavy weight up a hill, to see how it preforms compaired to the P2K.
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Post by antlorch on Jun 9, 2017 16:29:03 GMT -5
Well I know you said you wanted an SD60 but SP never owned any SD60's but they did have ex-DRGW SD50's...
Now just like Ryan said the Athearn SD50/60 are for superior in looks and they work well with other models. You can add weight where needed if you want.
The P2K model does run well as is very heavy like Ryan said again but it doesnt run well with others at all. Besides the trucks be way off in size the nose is actually a little shorter than the prototype. I am not sure about the new Walthers SD50/60 but from what I have seen they still are not as good as the Athearn. Good luck and if you have any more questions ask away
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Post by sprailfan1996 on Jun 19, 2017 10:50:37 GMT -5
Well I know you said you wanted an SD60 but SP never owned any SD60's but they did have ex-DRGW SD50's... Now just like Ryan said the Athearn SD50/60 are for superior in looks and they work well with other models. You can add weight where needed if you want. The P2K model does run well as is very heavy like Ryan said again but it doesnt run well with others at all. Besides the trucks be way off in size the nose is actually a little shorter than the prototype. I am not sure about the new Walthers SD50/60 but from what I have seen they still are not as good as the Athearn. Good luck and if you have any more questions ask away I am well aware that SP never actually had SD60's, and I do have an SD50. I just thought it would be cool to see what SP SD60's and SD60M's would look like. It's all part of an idea I had a while back about modeling what SP would look like if they never bought UP. I call it The Modern Southern Pacific. So this project is mainly just for fun, and not prototypical at all. Every SD60 I make will get the SP Speed Lettering scheme, with all the features prototypical to SP locomotives. (i.e. the SP light package, rooftop air-conditioner, Nathan P3 horn, the L window in the cab, the SP plow, the SP battery-box doors, ect.) |
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Post by antlorch on Jun 20, 2017 11:01:52 GMT -5
No problem at all I was just making sure you knew, as the SD50 and SD60 get confused alot as the only difference is the number of doors under the radiator and exhaust hatch is different in the opening. The fantasy scheme is a good idea especially using all the SP goodies..
Please share as you go along....
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