I am eyeing some older Blue Box locomotives on eBay, what models had wide noses, the model I'm most interested in is the DD35As (aka what Athearn calls DD40) anyways are these wide noses? If so what other models are the same? I am wanting some GPs and SDs too, 35s, 40s, and 45s, I really would hate to get a DD40 wide nose and then have to get scale nose units to run with it exaggerating the width of the wide nose.
If those other models aren't wide noses perhaps I could buy a shell that's the correct width.
Well thanks in advance.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Athearn produced their GP-35, SDP-40, SD-45, SD-9 and all of their U-series GEs with the oversized hood width. I would imagine their "DD40" of the same "blue box" era shares the wide hood. The scale width hood was introduced with the GP-38-2, SD-40-2, SD-40T-2 ot the mid 1980s. I know nothing of a scale width shell for the DD-35 or DD-35A unless Rail Power Products produced one since they reputedly did produce some of the scale width hoods used on Athearn's earliest scale width offerings of that type. Have you investigated Bachmann's DD-40AX?
I have seen the Bachmann DD40AX, I find spartan cab units more appealing, plus I was looking forward to using the purportedly "bulletproof" BB drivetrains.
I think there is a DD35(A?) Shell out there. Not sure of the quality.
NWP SWP...the model I'm most interested in is the DD35As (aka what Athearn calls DD40) anyways are these wide noses?
That's definitely a widebody shell. Plus it's not really a DD35, it's a never produced EMD product that differs quite a bit from the DD35 in the radiators, fans, and other areas.
Rob Spangler
NWP SWP I am eyeing some older Blue Box locomotives on eBay, what models had wide noses, the model I'm most interested in is the DD35As (aka what Athearn calls DD40) anyways are these wide noses? If so what other models are the same? I am wanting some GPs and SDs too, 35s, 40s, and 45s, I really would hate to get a DD40 wide nose and then have to get scale nose units to run with it exaggerating the width of the wide nose. If those other models aren't wide noses perhaps I could buy a shell that's the correct width.
Another enumerated most of the "wide body" Athearn blue box diesels. Yuk.
Way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a wee lad of 14 in northern Californai, I wanted a Southern Pacific SD45 for Christmas - it was a very common diesel in my area. It was under the tree, but the closer I looked, the more I thought it didn't look right - it was, of course, a fat body Athearn blue box SD45. The nose looked way too fat and the body as well. At 14 I could clearly see it looked wrong.
So if appearance matters, you won't be happy with the raft of Athearn blue box fat body engines. Your eyeing them long enough may give you a jauncied eye. Run the other way.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761Way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a wee lad of 14 in northern Californai, I wanted a Southern Pacific SD45 for Christmas - it was a very common diesel in my area. It was under the tree, but the closer I looked, the more I thought it didn't look right - it was, of course, a fat body Athearn blue box SD45. The nose looked way too fat and the body as well.
Yet, years later those fat SD45s rolls on and on and on while a lot of locomotives from that era is in the junk box or been tossed in the trash can years ago.
I bet a lot of Bachmann SD45s failed the test of time.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I actually think the Athearn SD-45 looks better with the fat body. It is a unique looking locomotive, and the additional heft seems to help.
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
For those keeping score, the Athearn Baldwin S-12 is wide. I think also their SD9, though it's been awhile. Their SD40 is NOT wide body. Neither is their SW7 (old SW1500). Well, it IS. But so is the real one. Weird, eh?
I don't know why, but it was the S-12 that offended me the most. When Hallmark brought in their brass Balwins, I bought one--world o' difference. And it ran (runs) well, too.
Ed
BRAKIE Yet, years later those fat SD45s rolls on and on and on while a lot of locomotives from that era is in the junk box or been tossed in the trash can years ago.
Perhaps they do for those who aren't bothered by the way they look. Thats the rub of course.
They fail for different reasons, but they at least pass the 4 foot test. I guess if only Athearn BB and Bachman were ever made, perhaps we would be putting the Bachman shell on the Athearn drive? Thankfully there are much better options out there!
SeeYou190 I actually think the Ateharn SD-45 looks better with the fat body. It is a unique looking locomotive, and the additional heft seems to help. -Kevin
I actually think the Ateharn SD-45 looks better with the fat body. It is a unique looking locomotive, and the additional heft seems to help.
Unique is one way of putting it. But you can get heft and much better looks from other makes of SD45's.
But, as some say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I guess model trains can be like people, even the no-so-pretty ones can find people who find them appealing.
riogrande5761But, as some say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I guess model trains can be like people, even the no-so-pretty ones can find people who find them appealing.
Yeah... Like Santa Fe CF-7s. YUCK!
But... some people love the way they look!
There are plenty examples of prototypes some fund ugly. But ugly models of decent looking prototypes - thats something else.
riogrande5761 There are plenty examples of prototypes some fund ugly. But ugly models of decent looking prototypes - thats something else.
So now the million dollar question is, are there scale shells that can be retrofitted onto the existing chassis?
I believe Puttman Locomotive Works makes a DD35 (an actual DD35 not the Athearn unreasonable facimile thereof, which was more DD40 than 35)
How reputable are these upgrade shells?
NWP SWP So now the million dollar question is, are there scale shells that can be retrofitted onto the existing chassis? I believe Puttman Locomotive Works makes a DD35 (an actual DD35 not the Athearn unreasonable facimile thereof, which was more DD40 than 35) How reputable are these upgrade shells?
"reputable"--a curious choice of word, considering. Why not "accurate" or "cleanly done"?
Puttnam is not widely admired, for various reasons. I'm pretty sure some searching will reveal more.
I do wonder how a shell like this fits on a wide-body chassis. I kind of recall that part of the chassis goes up inside the Athearn wide shell. If true, and it's the width of the interior of the Athearn shell, then it seems like a problem to slip a narrower shell on.
All this from a guy who hasn't messed with wide-bodies for at least 35 years.
Here's a comparison shot of an old Athearn BB GP-9 (left) and a new Proto GP-9.
The body width diference is pretty clear.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Yeah that's why I was wanting to get all wide bodies to run together. But I think scale is a better choice, I did a few searches for Puttman couldn't find anything about their reputation, as Ed said are they a good model? Are their shells reasonably accurate?
NWP SWPI did a few searches for Puttman couldn't find anything about their reputation,
You are searching under the new name, here's the old one in case you were wondering.
https://www.cmrproducts.com/tag/big-dawg-originals/
Search under the old name (Big Dawg Originals). I have no experience with CMR products.
I would outright skip the BB chasis all together. There are much better choices out there. If memory serves, they have hot frames. Most modern production have pickups from both sides that do not involve the frame.
I got it now, just read of BDOs shenanigans. Who else makes a reasonable shell of a DD35A?
I thought BBs were a good choice because they're cheap and are good runners/pullers, I welcome objective opinions on this though.
riogrande5761Perhaps they do for those who aren't bothered by the way they look. Thats the rub of course.
Jim,My friend when EMD released the SD45 not only was that engine large but,looked as wide as it was tall. When Athearn released the SD45 in the 60s I couldn't wait to buy three..
Now 50 years later I'm not sure which I would buy a Athearn RTR or a P2K SD45 since both fills the bill as a decent looking SD45.
You'll likely come out ahead getting a brass one. They'll be "done".
The Alco Models ones (unpainted) go for about $250.
Overland also made them. They're crisper, and more expensive: $675 unpainted, $850 painted.
Or, you can wait for Athearn to get off the dime and make Genesis versions. That's what I'm doing. Waiting.
BMMECNYC If memory serves, they have hot frames.
Yes, the frame of an Athearn Blue Box locomotive is one half of the electrical circuit for the motor. There is a contact on the bottom of the motor for continuity.
This is not a problem for me. I own a bunch of brass steamers, and a couple dozen brass freight cars, all of which can have problems arise from hot frames.
I have found Kadee 20 series couplers, which are insulated, reduce all potential problems to near zero. I do not run DCC, so I do not need to go through the bother with isolating the motor from the frame.
For someone starting out, and will probably be using DCC for most of their life, I am sure there are better choices than Athearn Blue Box locomotives.
riogrande5761Perhaps they do for those who aren't bothered by the way they look.
Russell
MisterBeasley Here's a comparison shot of an old Athearn BB GP-9 (left) and a new Proto GP-9. The body width diference is pretty clear.
How do they look when viewed from the side?
Building the layout higher is always an option.
NWP SWP Who else makes a reasonable shell of a DD35A?
Nobody. Your options for a shell that isn't awful are kitbashing one yourself or buying brass.
csxns riogrande5761 Perhaps they do for those who aren't bothered by the way they look. So what did you do at the age of 14 throw the thing away and ask mom and dad for a brass one
riogrande5761 Perhaps they do for those who aren't bothered by the way they look.
So what did you do at the age of 14 throw the thing away and ask mom and dad for a brass one
Are you enjoying yourself there?
I do remember not only did that Athearn SD45 not look right, but it didn't run so we'll either. It ended up not getting used and I don't remember what happened to it. I do know that it wasn't until a few years ago that the RTR Athearns finally came along and look pretty good.
Perhaps I could use a stock DD40(35) hood sides, GP hood roofs, and a cab too, as usual some people swear by it others swear at it.
Or you could buy an Alco Models for $250 and paint it:
I think I would replace the fans, and a few other things, also, though.
I would contact the creater of this:
https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace?type=product&q=DD40
And ask if they can make an HO scale version.
And mount it on the Athearn frame. That being said, it might not fit on the Athearn frame (dont know about internal clearances).
I would go with the Alco Models version (also note its not going to run on 22" radius curves)
Here's the painted and weathered Overland version:
https://brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/082517/HO-Brass-Model-OMI-1915-1-UP-Union-Pacific-DD35-DD35A-Modernized-w-Sand-Boxes-74-F-P-Weathered
Quite a few dollars
Steven,
Again... WHY?
Why would you want one of your first locomotives to be this much work? Why would you want a locomotive that you nearly need to design a layout around? Can you run it on your club layout? Does it even match the era you are modeling? Would you paint it in NWPSWP colors?
It seems like a cart is on the wrong end of a horse here.