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EMD SD18...anyone ever tried to kitbash one?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Moorefield, WV
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EMD SD18...anyone ever tried to kitbash one?
Posted by trainmanwv on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:24 AM

I'm looking for ideas about making an SD18 out of an SD9 with proper modifications to make the nose fit right.  Anyone got ideas?  Thanks in advance

 

Matt

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Posted by coborn35 on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 11:20 AM
I am going to try an kitbash a DM&IR SD18 one of these days.

Mechanical Department  "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."

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Posted by nfmisso on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 12:56 PM

Mainline Modeler had a feature on the proto SD18 awhile back, in which kit bashing an HO model was discussed.  Look in the Magazine Index for the particular issue.

Keep in mind that there are several phases of the SD18, some are more challenging than others to kit bash.

Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
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Posted by jsoderq on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 1:30 PM
Many years ago, I saw one made from a Tyco SD24 body with a GP20 cab. I can't vouch for how accurate, but it sure looked like an SD18 low nose.
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Posted by GAPPLEG on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 1:47 PM

 jsoderq wrote:
Many years ago, I saw one made from a Tyco SD24 body with a GP20 cab. I can't vouch for how accurate, but it sure looked like an SD18 low nose.

I agree with the above , I believe an SD24 body is much closer than any other to an SD18 , I can't vouch for the gp20 cab as being correct , but it may be. Proto power may have cabs that would work.

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Posted by dti406 on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 9:12 PM

Jim Six had an article on kitbashing a B&LE one in a 1990's RMC, sorry I don't remember the issue.

I know he used the Athearn SD-9, Atlas SD-24 and others.

Rick 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by R. T. POTEET on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 12:26 AM
 trainmanwv wrote:

I'm looking for ideas about making an SD18 out of an SD9 with proper modifications to make the nose fit right.  Anyone got ideas?  Thanks in advance
Matt



Kalmbach's Second Diesel Spotter's Guide states:
SD18s are distinguished from SD9s by having grids over the radiator shutters instead of 'chicken wire' (see page EMD-58).
EMD-58 has a photograph of the radiator section on a GP9 and another of the radiator section of a GP18 showing the difference between "chicken wire" and grids.

Grids can be harvested from the radiator section of GP18s, GP20s, or SD24s; if you desire a low-nosed SD18 the cab/short hood section from a Life-Like GP18 could be spliced onto an SD9 body shell.  Your conversion of an SD9 to a low-nosed SD18 will, understandably, require chopping the weight under the short-hood.

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

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Posted by pike-62 on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 7:15 AM

Here is one I made from a Proto 2000 SD9 a while back. it is not completly accurate but worked good enough for me at the time. I scratch built the hood and windshield section. I used a numberboard from the parts box and don't recall what it was from.

 

 

Dan Pikulski

www.DansResinCasting.com

 

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Posted by DanRaitz on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 7:41 AM

Jim Six's article on kibashing a B&LE SD18 was in the May 1989 RMC. There is also an article about building a C&IM unit by Vern Greenwood in the August 1991 (part 1) and October 1991 (part 2) Mainline Modeler.

 

Dan 

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Posted by NS2591 on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 9:33 AM
I'm Eventually going to convert my SOU style Undec SD24 into a CNW SD18. The prototype ones started out as SD24s and then where De-Turbo'd. All I have to do is remove the Turbo Blower, and the Dynamics.
Jay Norfolk Southern Forever!!
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Posted by trainmanwv on Thursday, July 26, 2007 8:58 PM

Now that you mention it, I believe I've heard of that story by Jim Six before.  Unfortunately, I can't find an old copy of the magazine it came out of.  Funny, the prototype that I'm using for this model was an ex-B&LE SD18. 

 

Matt

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Posted by pita48 on Friday, March 15, 2019 9:48 PM

Matt in answer to your question about bashing an SD18 out of an SD24/SD9 combo. CMR models makes an SD18 shell, less detail parts that will fit over an Atlas SD24 chassia.Price for the shells are $37.50

I have two Tiger Valley Model C420, they do run (DC) only. They both have brass wheel sets. Dose anyone know if you can swap them for NWSL nickel silver wheel sets?

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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, March 15, 2019 9:56 PM

I guess we'll see if Matt is still around, as this thread is from July of 2007. 

No worries, It's been happining quite a bit lately.

Mike.

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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, March 16, 2019 7:05 AM

mbinsewi

I guess we'll see if Matt is still around, as this thread is from July of 2007. 

No worries, It's been happining quite a bit lately.

Mike.

 

Mike,

There is only one poster aside from You and I that is around anymore in this thread...........

Take Care! Sad

Frank

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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, March 16, 2019 7:20 AM

I know Frank, this has been going on a lot lately.  I guess now I know if I want to bash a SD18, I can get the expensive shell from CMU !  Laugh

Mike.

 

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Posted by BEAUSABRE on Thursday, July 11, 2019 2:26 PM

Get a SD18 shell - low nose, with or without dynamics) - from CMR Products https://www.cmrproducts.com/store/HO-Scale-EMD-SD18-Low-Nose-w-Dynamic-Brakes-p94982844 which you can install on the frame of your choice (I'd use the Proto2000 SD7 or SD9). You add the detail parts. Spend some time with a parts catalog and some glue on the work bench. Paint up. Add decals. Place on track. Enjoy. I'm gonna build one for the PRR and maybe more for the CNJ, RDG and B&O to go along with my PRR and CNJ GP20's.

 

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, July 11, 2019 10:00 PM

BEAUSABRE
from CMR Products

BEAUSABRE
from CMR Products

I hate adding to an old thread that's going know where, but buy what you want, as CMR  bought the shells and right to sell them from Big Dawg, which I won't get into any detail.  

You can reseach the history of Big Dawg shells on your own.

I won't buy'em

Mike.

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