Post by CIOR on Jul 26, 2010 19:37:48 GMT -5
The Chesapeake & Ohio's SD18
Being a C&O/Chessie fan, and modeling the C&O of Indiana line (from Chicago to Cincinnati) meant that I needed one unique model, the C&O SD18.
A total of 19 units were built, and for the most part spent their entire C&O/Chessie lives working on the Russell Kentucky to Chicago Illinois line.
This meant that I would have to have these unique engines, but after spending time talking with others, I found that no one wanted to even discuss attempting to build one, let alone several. Fast forward a year, when myself and friend Brian (forum member MiniCooper) began discussing the idea, he too is a C&O/Chessie modeler and spent time on the north end of the line. So it was a natural fit, lets try and make this unique engine.
"LEG WORK"...... Much was discussed and we finally had a list of items. Luckily we had a nice EMD drawing that gave us details along with that we had a ton of actual C&O SD18 detail pictures. Without the actual drawing and tons of pictures I don't believe you could even come close to doing this project. After figuring out what all it would take, we spent several weeks on the computer, note pads and telephone tracking down all the stuff. We decided that the drive would be all Atlas parts, since we could get them quickly, this only made sense. Details on the shells to come.
We talked about the project and what would be the biggest obsticles. In my mind the frame (chassis) and trucks would be toughest, the shell would just be tedious. I decided that modifications on the chassis would have to be done in a professional machine shop, not something a dremel could accomplish, or even a small home hobby mill. Luckily we have a good friend and fellow model railroader who happens to own his own machine shop. He had heard us talking about the project and wanted to help. Several weeks of CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) work later, we had everything ready for the proto chassis to be made. Joe the owner of the Machine shop got to work on the project and in 2 weeks we had the completed prototype chassis and bolsters. We decided that the easiest way would be to make our own bolsters, mill the frame to our own specifications and be able to set the chassis at the correct ride height. The first chassis was on my work bench and in 2 days we had a ready to run chassis.
"The DRAG"...... Now that we had the chassis, we found a few issues. Yes, this is the first prototype of the frame and we knew it would happen. The ride height was off by a tick over 20 thousands. Yes, that is actually a bit much, so a quick call to Joe and the adjustment was made on the CAD work. A new bolster was milled with thinner pads and we solved the issue. Now, the next issue was the fuel tank. When we installed it, it just didn't set right. We talked over this one and decided that we needed to take about an 1/8 of an inch, Brian tackled this project and it turned out nice, it allowed the tank to set correctly. While at it, he also added length to the fuel tank, as it was shorter, this also took up some of the clearance between the tank and the trucks.
So, the first chassis is coming together, next we took and robbed a Atlas GP40 with a dual mode decoder and its motor. This was installed to test if it would work, or if another motor/drive combo would need to be installed. The RSD-5 drive wasn't right for anything we wanted, so we decided that a modern source would be needed.
A quick install and all worked, we hooked it up, wired in the dual mode decoder and away we went to the basement.
SHE IS ALIVE..... Away she went down the C&O of Indiana Miami SubDivision in my basement. I don't think either of us thought the day would come, but it was there and running. NOW, we need to get the rest of the project moving.
I talked with Joe the next day and told him we would be proceeding with the project. We decided to build a total of 5 units initially, with 5 more to bring the balance to 10 at a later date. All the corrections were made and Joe had the newest data to make the project go. A couple weeks later he brought me the next batch of milled frames and bolsters, it was time to get busy. After 30 minutes into the process we discovered that there was an issue with the frames. A week later, Joe came down and during our discussions we noticed that the metal Atlas used had a "memory" to it. Sure enough, the frame rails curled inward and this wasn't allowing the bolsters to set and lay level. After a couple hours of talk, finger pointing (at the chassis) and more talk, we decided "why can't we just make our own frames!" So we will be doing that and currently Brian is doing the CAD work on this end of the project. There isn't any sense in going this deep on a project and messing up one of the more critical details!
Another issue we discovered was the fact that they don't weigh enough, after all the work, the frames weigh in under a pound, and due to the RSD-5 trucks, you can't use the SD24 weights, even modified they don't work. So, we decided that doing our own frame we could fit weight how we wanted it. So, next step will be the new frame. The current "first generation" frames all work and run fine however.
So, lost in all this process was the actual shell itself. Lets just say that there is a lot of cutting, filling, putty work and fun involved. That is the next part of the article, stay tunes for Brian (Minicooper) to fill you in!
So, below is a quick "teaser" for the project. As the next batch come to the shop floor, we will start the "HOW TO" process!
--------
There will be 2 versions of the engine, the C&O (as built) and the Modified Chessie units.
Below is the engineer side of the C&O version
Here is the Chessie version (never mind the cab not setting right, this is corrected)
C&O version fireman side view (no, the jackpads are wrong, and we removed them! more on this later)
C&O version long hood end.
One of the toughest spots on the shell is the dynamic brake housing, this area takes a bit of reworking to make it look right.
A close up shot
The modified radiator section, with Cannon fans
The trucks, as Brian pointed out quickly "look like crap"....this was his fix! Looks good...
and
The frame work is shown here.......
Here is a freshly CNC'ed bolster, nice and fresh ALUMINUM.
Here is a top view once installed
front view of installed minus trucks
Top view of bolster installation.
Side view of bolster.
3/4 view
Being a C&O/Chessie fan, and modeling the C&O of Indiana line (from Chicago to Cincinnati) meant that I needed one unique model, the C&O SD18.
A total of 19 units were built, and for the most part spent their entire C&O/Chessie lives working on the Russell Kentucky to Chicago Illinois line.
This meant that I would have to have these unique engines, but after spending time talking with others, I found that no one wanted to even discuss attempting to build one, let alone several. Fast forward a year, when myself and friend Brian (forum member MiniCooper) began discussing the idea, he too is a C&O/Chessie modeler and spent time on the north end of the line. So it was a natural fit, lets try and make this unique engine.
"LEG WORK"...... Much was discussed and we finally had a list of items. Luckily we had a nice EMD drawing that gave us details along with that we had a ton of actual C&O SD18 detail pictures. Without the actual drawing and tons of pictures I don't believe you could even come close to doing this project. After figuring out what all it would take, we spent several weeks on the computer, note pads and telephone tracking down all the stuff. We decided that the drive would be all Atlas parts, since we could get them quickly, this only made sense. Details on the shells to come.
We talked about the project and what would be the biggest obsticles. In my mind the frame (chassis) and trucks would be toughest, the shell would just be tedious. I decided that modifications on the chassis would have to be done in a professional machine shop, not something a dremel could accomplish, or even a small home hobby mill. Luckily we have a good friend and fellow model railroader who happens to own his own machine shop. He had heard us talking about the project and wanted to help. Several weeks of CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) work later, we had everything ready for the proto chassis to be made. Joe the owner of the Machine shop got to work on the project and in 2 weeks we had the completed prototype chassis and bolsters. We decided that the easiest way would be to make our own bolsters, mill the frame to our own specifications and be able to set the chassis at the correct ride height. The first chassis was on my work bench and in 2 days we had a ready to run chassis.
"The DRAG"...... Now that we had the chassis, we found a few issues. Yes, this is the first prototype of the frame and we knew it would happen. The ride height was off by a tick over 20 thousands. Yes, that is actually a bit much, so a quick call to Joe and the adjustment was made on the CAD work. A new bolster was milled with thinner pads and we solved the issue. Now, the next issue was the fuel tank. When we installed it, it just didn't set right. We talked over this one and decided that we needed to take about an 1/8 of an inch, Brian tackled this project and it turned out nice, it allowed the tank to set correctly. While at it, he also added length to the fuel tank, as it was shorter, this also took up some of the clearance between the tank and the trucks.
So, the first chassis is coming together, next we took and robbed a Atlas GP40 with a dual mode decoder and its motor. This was installed to test if it would work, or if another motor/drive combo would need to be installed. The RSD-5 drive wasn't right for anything we wanted, so we decided that a modern source would be needed.
A quick install and all worked, we hooked it up, wired in the dual mode decoder and away we went to the basement.
SHE IS ALIVE..... Away she went down the C&O of Indiana Miami SubDivision in my basement. I don't think either of us thought the day would come, but it was there and running. NOW, we need to get the rest of the project moving.
I talked with Joe the next day and told him we would be proceeding with the project. We decided to build a total of 5 units initially, with 5 more to bring the balance to 10 at a later date. All the corrections were made and Joe had the newest data to make the project go. A couple weeks later he brought me the next batch of milled frames and bolsters, it was time to get busy. After 30 minutes into the process we discovered that there was an issue with the frames. A week later, Joe came down and during our discussions we noticed that the metal Atlas used had a "memory" to it. Sure enough, the frame rails curled inward and this wasn't allowing the bolsters to set and lay level. After a couple hours of talk, finger pointing (at the chassis) and more talk, we decided "why can't we just make our own frames!" So we will be doing that and currently Brian is doing the CAD work on this end of the project. There isn't any sense in going this deep on a project and messing up one of the more critical details!
Another issue we discovered was the fact that they don't weigh enough, after all the work, the frames weigh in under a pound, and due to the RSD-5 trucks, you can't use the SD24 weights, even modified they don't work. So, we decided that doing our own frame we could fit weight how we wanted it. So, next step will be the new frame. The current "first generation" frames all work and run fine however.
So, lost in all this process was the actual shell itself. Lets just say that there is a lot of cutting, filling, putty work and fun involved. That is the next part of the article, stay tunes for Brian (Minicooper) to fill you in!
So, below is a quick "teaser" for the project. As the next batch come to the shop floor, we will start the "HOW TO" process!
--------
There will be 2 versions of the engine, the C&O (as built) and the Modified Chessie units.
Below is the engineer side of the C&O version
Here is the Chessie version (never mind the cab not setting right, this is corrected)
C&O version fireman side view (no, the jackpads are wrong, and we removed them! more on this later)
C&O version long hood end.
One of the toughest spots on the shell is the dynamic brake housing, this area takes a bit of reworking to make it look right.
A close up shot
The modified radiator section, with Cannon fans
The trucks, as Brian pointed out quickly "look like crap"....this was his fix! Looks good...
and
The frame work is shown here.......
Here is a freshly CNC'ed bolster, nice and fresh ALUMINUM.
Here is a top view once installed
front view of installed minus trucks
Top view of bolster installation.
Side view of bolster.
3/4 view
