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If you were going to build an NS SD60, you would need the following parts: 460-87435 -- Microscale GE & EMD diesels -- $5.00 460-87527 -- Microscale GE & EMD data -- $5.00 140-4500/11 -- Athearn SD40T-2 powered -- $44.50 60-502 -- Rail Power SD60 shell -- $16.00 60-5502 -- Rail Power SD60 handrails -- $9.95 732-137 -- Train Station Products HTC sideframes -- $8.95 235-250 -- Details West K5HR24 horn -- $3.25 235-256 -- Details West plow (CSX,NS)-- $1.95 235-157 – Details West firecracker antenna -- $1.95 229-2211 -- Detail Assoc. AAR cut lever -- $2.50 229-2206 -- Detail Assoc. eye bolts -- $3.00 229-2202 -- Detail Assoc. drop grab irons -- $2.50 229-1003 -- Detail Assoc. Pyle EMD headlight -- $1.00 Now those are just the parts you’d need to deck out the model the way a Life-Like Proto 2000 model comes out of the box. If you didn’t want to mill down the Athearn frame, add another $12.75 to the $105.55 you’ve got here already. This is by no means a super-detailing project (meaning the parts I’ve listed). This list will give you a good start, though. If you were willing to spend the money to get started on this project ($105.55), you could easily buy two Proto 2000 NS SD60s on ebay. And believe me, they are well worth it. They run better than Athearn locomotives, they have directional lighting, they weigh a ton, the detailing is amazing, and they are pretty cheap on ebay right now. Not only that, you only have to do a fraction of the work to have them up and running on your layout. If you are still insistent on doing your own model, I’d suggest getting an undecorated P2K SD60 and start there. You’ll save money and you’ll have a better model. That’s what I’ve done (hence the handy parts list) and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. As far as the Rail Power SD60 chassis is concerned, it is not configured for the Athearn SD45 drive train. For one thing, the SD45 is significantly shorter than the SD60. The drive line components will end up being too short to fit. Also, the trucks are designed for a different style frame, so they won’t mount to the SD60 frame at all. Not only that, the SD45 rides on trucks of a different design than the later –2 models. The RPP SD60 is designed to use the Athearn SD40-2/T-2 drive system. I suggested the SD40T-2 for two reasons. First, it is slightly longer than the SD40-2 so it has the correct length frame. Second, the Athearn SD40-2 has been redesigned with a new motor and other drive components. It is a more expensive starting point for your project than the older SD40T-2. And finally, my own personal opinions of Rail Power Products. I absolutely love this company. I have learned so much from their kits. Using their kits helped me get started kitbashing. And at the time, their products were of very good quality. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying their products have declined in quality. In fact, the opposite is true. But other manufacturers have really raised the bar and they’ve been left behind. When I use their kits, I make it a rule to replace the cab (a definite must), grilles, nose, long hood end and fans. Because of this, Cannon & Co. must love me. These RPP details just aren’t up to snuff (for me). But again, they are a fantastic company with a great product line. And you mentioned the $140 MSRP for Atlas locomotives… Even if I had paid $140 each for my Atlas B40-8 locomotives, they’d be worth every penny. But you NEVER have to pay that much. You should find them for $80-95 each on ebay and a couple other places if you just look. Anyway, best of luck to you in your modeling endeavors. If you have any questions (particularly NS questions) don’t hesitate to contact me at dieselmodeler@msn.com Sincerely, RC Harris RC’s Custom Diesels Durango, Colorado If you were going to build an NS SD60, you would need the following parts: 460-87435 -- Microscale GE & EMD diesels -- $5.00 460-87527 -- Microscale GE & EMD data -- $5.00 140-4500/11 -- Athearn SD40T-2 powered -- $44.50 60-502 -- Rail Power SD60 shell -- $16.00 60-5502 -- Rail Power SD60 handrails -- $9.95 732-137 -- Train Station Products HTC sideframes -- $8.95 235-250 -- Details West K5HR24 horn -- $3.25 235-256 -- Details West plow (CSX,NS)-- $1.95 235-157 – Details West firecracker antenna -- $1.95 229-2211 -- Detail Assoc. AAR cut lever -- $2.50 229-2206 -- Detail Assoc. eye bolts -- $3.00 229-2202 -- Detail Assoc. drop grab irons -- $2.50 229-1003 -- Detail Assoc. Pyle EMD headlight -- $1.00 Now those are just the parts you’d need to deck out the model the way a Life-Like Proto 2000 model comes out of the box. If you didn’t want to mill down the Athearn frame, add another $12.75 to the $105.55 you’ve got here already. This is by no means a super-detailing project (meaning the parts I’ve listed). This list will give you a good start, though. If you were willing to spend the money to get started on this project ($105.55), you could easily buy two Proto 2000 NS SD60s on ebay. And believe me, they are well worth it. They run better than Athearn locomotives, they have directional lighting, they weigh a ton, the detailing is amazing, and they are pretty cheap on ebay right now. Not only that, you only have to do a fraction of the work to have them up and running on your layout. If you are still insistent on doing your own model, I’d suggest getting an undecorated P2K SD60 and start there. You’ll save money and you’ll have a better model. That’s what I’ve done (hence the handy parts list) and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. As far as the Rail Power SD60 chassis is concerned, it is not configured for the Athearn SD45 drive train. For one thing, the SD45 is significantly shorter than the SD60. The drive line components will end up being too short to fit. Also, the trucks are designed for a different style frame, so they won’t mount to the SD60 frame at all. Not only that, the SD45 rides on trucks of a different design than the later –2 models. The RPP SD60 is designed to use the Athearn SD40-2/T-2 drive system. I suggested the SD40T-2 for two reasons. First, it is slightly longer than the SD40-2 so it has the correct length frame. Second, the Athearn SD40-2 has been redesigned with a new motor and other drive components. It is a more expensive starting point for your project than the older SD40T-2. And finally, my own personal opinions of Rail Power Products. I absolutely love this company. I have learned so much from their kits. Using their kits helped me get started kitbashing. And at the time, their products were of very good quality. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying their products have declined in quality. In fact, the opposite is true. But other manufacturers have really raised the bar and they’ve been left behind. When I use their kits, I make it a rule to replace the cab (a definite must), grilles, nose, long hood end and fans. Because of this, Cannon & Co. must love me. These RPP details just aren’t up to snuff (for me). But again, they are a fantastic company with a great product line. And you mentioned the $140 MSRP for Atlas locomotives… Even if I had paid $140 each for my Atlas B40-8 locomotives, they’d be worth every penny. But you NEVER have to pay that much. You should find them for $80-95 each on ebay and a couple other places if you just look. Anyway, best of luck to you in your modeling endeavors. If you have any questions (particularly NS questions) don’t hesitate to contact me at dieselmodeler@msn.com Sincerely, RC Harris RC’s Custom Diesels Durango, Colorado
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