Mechanism for Rail Power SD-45 Shell

[atsf5517]

Hello All-

I am working on my first diesel project in ten years and need some advice/opinions.  I am taking a Rail Power SD45 shell and adding Cannon fans and other parts.  It is sure more fun than working in brass as I have been doing lately. Anyway, I am starting to think of a mechanism and am not sure what to do.  Is it possible to put a Kato chassis under it?  Was also thinking of buying an Athearn Ready to Roll SD45 and using the mechanism from that as I would think the RPP shell should easily fit. I could also build up a chassis from Proto Power/Aline.

Any one have  any thoughts or ideas.

Thanks

Dave Yingst
Corning,CA

[sgoti]

The Athearn Ready to Roll SD45 mechanism would most certainly fit the RPP shell, as the Athearn model is based on the old RPP tooling.

[spike]

I tried to post earlier, but it didn't show up. A ready to roll would certainly work, but another alternative is a nice blue box. I have a RPP GP35 shell, which was done up with a Cannon high hood. The chassis was a fairly new blue box with the interchangeable plastic side frames, and thin motor. It was found at a flea market table, at a train show, for about $10. For this price, a good tune up, and even a can motor make it worthwhile, and maybe exempt easier to find. Mine has the double equalized side frames from an Athearn U Boat chassis, which went under a RPP B23-7 shell, with aftermarket Floating Bolster side frames.

This may be the route for you. Smokey Valley has compatible side frames, if you want low mounted brake cylinders, for example.

[sgoti]

Oct 9, 2016 12:34:06 GMT -5 spike said:

I tried to post earlier, but it didn't show up. A ready to roll would certainly work, but another alternative is a nice blue box. I have a RPP GP35 shell, which was done up with a Cannon high hood. The chassis was a fairly new blue box with the interchangeable plastic side frames, and thin motor. It was found at a flea market table, at a train show, for about $10. For this price, a good tune up, and even a can motor make it worthwhile, and maybe exempt easier to find. Mine has the double equalized side frames from an Athearn U Boat chassis, which went under a RPP B23-7 shell, with aftermarket Floating Bolster side frames.

This may be the route for you. Smokey Valley has compatible side frames, if you want low mounted brake cylinders, for example.

Only issue with the older Blue Box models is the need to trim the areas under the walkways, and especially at the rear bolsters.

The original Athearn GP35 and SD45 models (Blue Box, before R-T-R) had bodies that were greater than scale width. This is not to say you can't use these models, they just won't be a simple drop in fit like the R-T-R versions will be.

The Kato SD40/45 chassis should also work, not sure what work would be involved. I remember that right after the SD40 was initially released, people were excited that you could use the drive AND pop the SD40 cab right onto the SD45 shell.

[atsf5517]

I sure appreciate the help. I didn't mention that I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible. Are the Athearn R-T-R power trucks like the old blue box with separate sideframes? I am modeling an early SP engine (#8810) with the low mounted brake cylinders.

Are the sideframes from Smokey Valley still available?

Again, thanks for the help.

Dave Yingst
Corning,CA

[spike]

I didn't have to do any excessive milling to make my RPP GP35 shell fit the Athearn chassis. I wouldn't want to compromise the bolster's integrity.

[m a y o r 79]

I did this exact thing (amlost 15 years ago) with a blue box chassis, fit with almost no trimming. I would suspect a ready to run frame woud be the same fit.

[sgoti]

From the RPP instruction sheet (GP35):

"Our GP35 is designed to fit the Athearn GP35 frame with little modification. There are two areas that need to be changed in order for your new shell to fit the frame. These areas are the ribs running length wise on top of the frame and the rear bolster. Our long hood and nose are .130 narrower (approx. one scale foot), thus these ribs and bolster would interfere. The front bolster and the raised area over the fuel tank do not have to be narrowed or removed."

Since the Ready-to-Run GP35 and SD45 are based on the RPP shell tooling, their frames will fit without any modification.

[atsf5517]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I am going to go the Ready to run route as that seems the least expensive and would be DCC ready. In the meantime I am having great fun detailing the RPP shell.

Dave
Corning, CA

[sgoti]

Oct 17, 2016 15:09:38 GMT -5 atsf5517 said:

Thanks for all the comments. I think I am going to go the Ready to run route as that seems the least expensive and would be DCC ready. In the meantime I am having great fun detailing the RPP shell.

Dave
Corning, CA

...And that's al that matters.

Keep us posted!

[Randy Earle]

RP SD-45 Project