MK5000C Kitbash

[rock]

I am thinking of kitbashing an MK5000C in the kodachrome scheme. These were the demonstrator locomotives built by MK Rail (Morrison-Knudsen), of which SP leased 3 and UP leased 3. Here are a couple photos of the SP locomotives from




Looking at the specs, the truck centers/bolsters are within a few inches of the Alco/MLW C630M, so I am thinking of using the Boswer model as the base, which also gives me the Dofasco trucks. I happen to have a spare Bowser C630M I can use for this. The frame length and length over couplers of the C630M is also very close to the MK5000C.

For the rest of the locomotive, my thought is to use an Athearn SD50 long hood and then use Cannon hood door & grille parts and styrene to achieve a "close enough" appearance. I also have a spare Athearn SD50 shell. I could use the SD50 sill or perhaps an SD70 sill for that piece. The cab will be a little tricky, but my thought is to start with a Kato SD70MAC cab (I also have a spare on hand) and cut styrene for the nose - the angled shape shouldn't be too hard. And of course Smokey Valley handrails.

So it won't be 100% accurate, but very close. Here are some drawings of the MK5000C:
espee.railfan.net/spmk5000-m.html

And more information:
espee.railfan.net/spmk5000.html

Has anyone else attempted this kitbash? I think it would be really fun to do and shouldn't cost me much since I have most of the parts available in my spare part storage already. If anyone has any suggestions or tips, I am all ears!

[stevef45]

Looking forward to this build. The nose on these things are just plain ugly but unique at the sametime. I cought one years ago leading a CSX train here in nj.

This one is a lil different it seems.
98flairside.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=407146

[rock]

Ah, you caught the ex-ATSF SD45B that was fitted with one of the MK5000C cabs. Supposedly, the cab came off the seventh MK5000C that was being built when MK Rail was shut down.

[puddlejumper]

I believe that is an SD45. I think the MK5000Cs donated their cabs to other units after their retirement. For some reason I am thinking it was 1 SD45 and several SD50s (Utah Railway) that got the cabs. I am sure someone will correct me.

Dave

[bdhicks]

It was a SD45 originally. During its time on the DME it was referred to as a SD50-3:
www.visi.com/~mfrahm/dme/roster/locos/6axle/SD50-3/5000.html

Every once and a while I've kicked around the idea of modelling DME 5000, since it's unique and that is the railroad that went by where I grew up, but so far I've been able to stop myself.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2013 21:23:49 GMT -5 puddlejumper said:

I believe that is an SD45. I think the MK5000Cs donated their cabs to other units after their retirement. For some reason I am thinking it was 1 SD45 and several SD50s (Utah Railway) that got the cabs. I am sure someone will correct me.

Dave

Those Utah railway SD50's are actually SD50-3's. They are MK5000C's with prime movers from five retired UP GP50's and one retired UP SD50.

Really looking forward to this one. Id love to do one myself but getting that C630M frame has been my problem so far.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards

[MitchGDRMCo]

The Utah Railway SD50s are SD50S model ex Hamersley Iron units. The MK5000ss became MK50-3s.

[Deleted]

Jan 31, 2013 3:07:41 GMT -5 MitchGDRMCo said:

The Utah Railway SD50s are SD50S model ex Hamersley Iron units. The MK5000ss became MK50-3s.

Yes you are right, I should have made that distinction.

I always thought that the MK5000C had a taller hood than EMD's, will an SD50 hood be the correct height or is the difference just an optical illusion?

[MitchGDRMCo]

I've got no idea the exact modifications, I know the MK50-3 rebuilds got the whole hood and internals swapped for a SD50 hood and guts, maybe they're the same height?

[Deleted]

I think I always got the impression that the MK5000C was taller because there was more hood height above the radiator shutters than on an SD50, however, the SD50 radiator shutters are taller and so would leave less hood height above them, i.e. be nearer to the roof.  I'm not sure if there is actually anything in it?

[rock]

I'm pretty certain you are correct that the MK Rail hood is taller than EMD; I have heard it described that way and was planning to add some height to the SD50 hood when I kitbash it by cutting off the top above the radiator grill and hood doors. I'll double check that information with the specs I have.

[MitchGDRMCo]

Photos anyone?




Call me crazy but that doesn't look like the height is any different and I'd bet my backside they haven't shortened the cabs....