Conrail SD38

[rdg5310]

Thanks to all for the comments. Finally, I'm adding some updates to this project. I added detail part numbers for those thinking about doing this build. Listed below are the parts in this pic.

Cannon & Company
2155 Air reservoirs
1301 Inertial filter
1352 Inertial hatch
1704 Radiator grille

Details Associates
2402 EMD exhaust

Details West
198 Prime 1 air filter

For the rear


Conductors side

You can see I added fuel cutoff valves. I did this using .020 x .020 styrene. I used liquid cement to weld these to the body. I then used DA 1507 Mu receptacle blanks to make the outer plate of the cutoff switch. I will drill a small hole in each one to look like the kill button.

Cab View

I'm just showing that you have to use .040 styrene to fill the gap before installing the Cannon assembly.

Under the deck

I used various strips of styrene to support the Cannon air tanks. I wanted to make sure they held up to someone gripping and squeezing the sides. I'm sure your all aware of how abusive others are. I also added styrene strips to the top where the non-dynamic is. This helped me keep the parts aligned while welding the half's together. I used an old Athearn GP38-2 hatch. The one that came with this model must of been the first run for Athearn. It was horrible looking. I do believe these are much nicer now. It was much easier to detail the Athearn over the RPP. You don't have to grind off grilles or open the radiator fan holes. I have more updates following.

[Randy Earle]

Nice work Ron, I'll be watching this build for sure.

[rdg5310]

Here's the pics of the finished frame details for this project.



You can see in this pic that I also added additional weight to the rear of the tank. I had enough room to add 3/4 ounces of A-line stick on weight. I did remove the double sided tape and glued one weight directly to the back of the tank area. The other 2 weights were added to the fuel tank.

Originally I wasn't going to dress up the frame. But the way Athearn did there frames for this, it was stupid not to. The upgrades were easy to do. It just took me awhile to find all my detail slides and pictures for the slug set.

In the pic below you can see I added styrene to bolster. This raised the frame to the proper height and allowed me to use the Atlas trucks. Also by doing this mod, I will be able to match the running speeds of the slug set. The bolster was made from .080 X .156. Then I sanded .010 off on a flat surface. I constantly checked it with a mic to watch the amount of material I removed.

[trickcooley]

cant wait to see the finshed unit! I will always remember watching the CR hump pairs shoving at Elkhart yard.

[Randy Earle]

Great so far Ron. Those Dremels take off on ya don't they?

[rdg5310]

Just adds to the excitement Randy!

[rdg5310]

Moving along here, I finished the fuel tank. In the first pic you see the modifications I made to the Kato tank. I removed the end clips and sanded them flush. Next I added .005 styrene to the tank ends and added the plating to the top of the tank. I used .005 also. I added Cannon tank details like the fuel filler, and sight glass. I used DW 197 tank hangers only because they were wider than the Cannon set and fit the frame rail mod better. .030 brass wire was used for the breather pipe. I was able to add 3/4 ounce of extra weight to the tank. These were glued in using a rubber cement. You can also see I capped the top ends of the tank hiding the weights and adding to the finished appearance.




The next 2 shots show the bottom of the tank where I added .030 styrene to enclose it. I did make the tank a friction fit, but I drilled a hole for the screw to attach the tank to the frame just in case.


Next I will finish the the truck details. I will be doing the same for the MT6. I finally got the rest of parts that I ordered, so I will be finishing the detailing of the body. I will post those pics before paint.

[icghogger]

Nice Work, Ron!!

[RunningExtra]

Ron,

You are doing a fantastic job on this build, it is all coming together very nicely, excellent work!

[mountaingoatgreg]

Man this is a neat build, keep us posted!!