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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 In the real world the SD-38 was intended as a low speed hi-torque lugger but was rapidly superceded by the SD-40 and SD38-2.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
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