N Scale B&LE SD9 Chop Nose

[Bessemer Bob]

Well I have been gathering parts for a while and I am finally going to get started on a Chop Nose SD9 for the B&LE. Granted some detail will be left out due the fact I am working in N scale.

This picture shows the unit I am modeling in her last days serving the great United States Steel empire on the Union Railroad.

www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble845bn.jpg

The B&LE 845 is my first project.

Bob

[largemike]

Looking forward to seeing this engine built. I grew up about an hour away from Conneaut and the Bessemer was my absolute favorite railroad, just love those SD9's lugging iron ore out of the harbor.
Large Mike

[icghogger]

Looks like a great project, Bob, keep us posted!!

[Bessemer Bob]

Thanks guys. I would say the two hardest parts will be matching Bessemer Orange/masking the line between black and orange, and the cab I have has a solid windshield opening and not the split window like the SD9s had.

[Randy Earle]

I always used Testors Competition Orange. For a color match I took a spray can and tested it on a Bessemer engine. I live in Connierot.

[Bessemer Bob]

Just a side note, the 845 still lives to this day. She is in a sad state most likely to become scrap soon. Sitting on the SBVR deadline for almost 3yrs now, her and two sister ex B&LE units once worked the line, another chop nose SD9 and a SD18. Lets hope one of these can be saved for display!
www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2616685

[stump]

SD9 sounds great love to see the progress check mine on the N scale BNSF 1726 n scale.

[Bessemer Bob]

Looking for help with the winterization hatch on these units. Only covers one of the 4 cooling fans.
www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble845dn.jpg
Would an F7 winterization hatch work?

[slowfreight]

Others may know better, but IIRC, an F7/GP7 style hatch will work fine as long as the fan is 36".

[Bessemer Bob]

well just a quick update....... Waiting on parts!

[Bessemer Bob]

Not much to report, got a new cab coming with the double windshield. After that Ill chop the nose and mock it up.

[gp30]

Looking forward to seeing photos of the model (hint, hint!).

SBVR 180 / BLE 845 had generator go bad in 10/08, went to shop and never came out again. Kept shutting down under heavy pull, had to keep a man stationed in the cab to keep hitting the ground relay button every 5 minutes on the pull SB out of Green Spring. They were too big and tore up the rails anyhow.

SBVR bought them from LTE (I think) as-is, just the way they arrived to them. Wore out when they bought them, but they needed so much work by 2010 they just retired them and got like-new rebuilt GP38's to replace them. If they save one, they should save the 182, the SD18. it was BLE 853, the bi-centennial unit.... still running until she breaks down, then it is done too.

[carlmarsico]

Sept 22, 2011 21:09:46 GMT -5 Bessemer Bob said:

Thanks guys. I would say the two hardest parts will be matching Bessemer Orange/masking the line between black and orange, and the cab I have has a solid windshield opening and not the split window like the SD9s had.

Does Atlas offer a SD26 in N? Their HO SD26 cab comes in handy in providing a 2 piece windshield for rebuilt GP's/SD's

[catt]

ATLAS does indeed have the right cab in N scale though they may or may not have any in the store. You might also check the dealer So much stuff on Ebay as they have a lot of pieces and parts.

[jpwisc]

I've chopped a couple SD9s in N and used the SD26 cab. I attach a piece of .02" styrene to the bottom to get the height right. It is a very easy conversion.

I recommend a MbE GP7 winter hatch, he makes the best N Scale winter hatches on the market.

[icghogger]

SWEEEET!!