Need SD-38 locos in N-scale

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see an SD38 (non-Dash 2) in N scale myself. I'd get a couple CR's if anyone ever made one.

[Catt]

This is one place to get an N scale SD38.You need a KATO SD40 and an ATLAS GP38 long hood.The only hard part is cutting that KATO shell.



Got to remember to change out that front coupler.

[Bikerdad]

If anybody is going to do something in N scale, it would be these fellas...

www.mark4design.com

[Anonymous]

As was said previously they don't exist in N or HO for that matter. Since this loco was produced in relatively limited numbers for just a handfull of roads I doubt any manufacturer (KATO, Atlas etc) will ever produce them.

In the real world the SD-38 was intended as a low speed hi-torque lugger but was rapidly superceded by the SD-40 and SD38-2. The SD-38 failed commercially as it had too small a range, too low a HP rating (only 2000!), too low a top speed for mainline operations on the class 1's and was not turbocharged. None of these was seen as an impediment on the MRRR since the line was relatively short and had a posted top speed of 45mph.

The MRRR replaced the stock small fuel tank with a larger capy one to increase the tractive effort a few years after they purchased the units. Refer to Jeff Moore's excellent website on the MRRR and MRRwy for photos.

There is a "how to" post on the web I have seen for a conversion in HO scale to produce a MRRR SD38 from a SD40 with a spare GP38 shell. The main visual difference between the SD-38 and the SD-38-2 (I'll leave out the minor details such as the water glass shape, middle axle spring mechanism ... I'm not a rivet counter) is that the rear axle of the trailing "C" truck extends beyond the loco hood on a SD-38-2 but not on a SD-38. Consequently the SD-38-2 has a large rear porch area.

The McCloud River Railroad roster consisted of 3xSD-38 (#36-38) and 1xSD-38-2 (#39 sold to UP in 1997).

Right now your best bet for modelling a MRRR SD-38 in N is to use a KATO SD-40 (gotta love the KATO mechanism) and get a spare GP-38 shell. Get out the Exacto and replace the cab and the rear part of the hood. The rear hood replacement is the most critical change since the SD-40 has 3 radiator ventilation fans on top while the SD-38 only has 2.

Of course, if KATO produces a SD-38-2 in N you have an "out of the box" MRRR #39. I am waiting on this myself to augment my current MRRR roster of 1xBaldwin S12 (a bashed Atlas VO-1000).

Regards,

John

[trainboyH16-44]

I would think that your best option would be to put the future Kato SD38-2 shell on a SD40 frame.
Trainboy

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andre. I got a message on another board that Kato will be releasing them a SD38 in Ho. So maybe they will do one in N scale in the future. I found on a McCloud River page that someone did that with a SD40 with with a GP38 rear end. Would like to see if I could do that or maybe break down and pay someone to. Also found out that there used to be a brass model of them but are probably really really hard to find now.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bryandduncan

Hey guys,

Been looking all over the place but cannot find a SD-38 in N-Scale or HO for that mater to save my life. Anyone know where I can find 2 (that's all I need). Any sugestions on turning a SD38-2 into a SD 38. Would probably be way over my head in N scale. I want to Model the McCloud River RR for my next railroad and cant find a single one.

Bryan

It's probably because none are available. However, Kato has an HO scale SD38-2 and it wouldn't surprise me if they release it in N scale in the future.

Your only other option, other than waiting for a Kato SD38-2, would be to kitbash one from an SD40. That'd be a lot of work.

Andre

[Anonymous]

Hey guys,

Been looking all over the place but cannot find a SD-38 in N-Scale or HO for that mater to save my life. Anyone know where I can find 2 (that's all I need). Any sugestions on turning a SD38-2 into a SD 38. Would probably be way over my head in N scale. I want to Model the McCloud River RR for my next railroad and cant find a single one.

Bryan