I am all set to start powering a dummy SD40-2. I thought I had a donor chassis/motor/trucks, only to discover that the trucks and drive shafts are wrong and won't work in this application. I think the donor was an SD-7 or SD-9 after a bit of research. I checked HOSEEKER (http://www.hoseeker.net/assemblyexplosionAthearn/Assembly%20Explosion%20Athearn%20SD40-2.jpg) and the trucks are part #s 44011 and 44012 and they are no longer offered from Athearn. I will begin scouring eBay for the trucks/shafts/couplings, so I figured I would stop here and pose the question first. Are there other models that share the same drivetrain? - mainly the trucks, but if I can find another donor chassis all the better. HOSEEKER doesn't have parts diagrams for any SD's aside from the SD9, 45 and 70. The SD45 shows a different part number, as does the SD9 (which I believe I have)which looks similar, but doesn't sit in the frame correctly - the pivot point is at a different level.
Grateful as always for any and all assistance.
Richard
The C44-9W and AC4400 use the same trucks as the SD40. I think there may have been one more, but I can't think of it at the moment.
The cheapest option may be to find another SD40. Once in a while, a unit with missing details or a bad custom paint job comes up on eBay, and those don't usually go for too much.
A Line might also have some in stock. I believe the trucks purchased from A Line are fine-tuned by them for the smoothest and quietest possible running. I'm assuming the trucks are sold in pairs, but you may want to contact them to make sure.
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Richard,Several BB locomotives shares the same parts..
I believe the drive shafts is on of 'em.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Darth Santa Fe The C44-9W and AC4400 use the same trucks as the SD40. I think there may have been one more, but I can't think of it at the moment. The cheapest option may be to find another SD40. Once in a while, a unit with missing details or a bad custom paint job comes up on eBay, and those don't usually go for too much. A Line might also have some in stock. I believe the trucks purchased from A Line are fine-tuned by them for the smoothest and quietest possible running. I'm assuming the trucks are sold in pairs, but you may want to contact them to make sure.
Thanks. I will be looking for another SD40-2, but I figured there may be other options so I thought I'd check it out. I checked the HOSEEKER for the C44-9w and AC4400, and they both use parts# 49440 & 49450 for trucks - a different part # than the SD40-2. You mentioned these as compatible with the SD40, was the -2 put together differently?
BRAKIE Richard,Several BB locomotives shares the same parts.. I believe the drive shafts is on of 'em.
The shafts and linkages are still readily available from Athearn. The trucks, on the other hand, are harder to come by. I'm fishing eBay, and will check the parts boxes at an upcoming train show.
Thanks
Darth Santa FeThe C44-9W and AC4400 use the same trucks as the SD40.
While you may be correct, I am having a hard time understanding how the C44 or AC4400, which are GE prototypes, could have the same trucks as anything EMD. Or are you speaking of the truck without the sideframe?
And the sideframe for the SD40 would be a Flexicoil, which would probably be incorrect for most SD40-2's which used an HTC (with the exception of Conrail or CSX/NS if they got the SD40-2s after the Conrail breakup).
If you can't find the parts at the train show, A-line makes compatible parts.
http://ppw-aline.com/re-power.htm
Scroll down to "Miscellaneous repowering parts".
Part # 12030 is a coupling set. Part # 12052 is a set of long spline shafts to fit the universals.
They also carry Mashima motors and trucks for a variety of different models. You'll probably find what you need there, if you can't find it at the show.
Good luck!
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
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The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
Arjay1969 If you can't find the parts at the train show, A-line makes compatible parts. http://ppw-aline.com/re-power.htm Scroll down to "Miscellaneous repowering parts". Part # 12030 is a coupling set. Part # 12052 is a set of long spline shafts to fit the universals. They also carry Mashima motors and trucks for a variety of different models. You'll probably find what you need there, if you can't find it at the show. Good luck!
Thanks. Hopefully the junk box gods will smile upon me :)
Hi Richard,
The only one I know of would be the Athearn SD-40-T2 or "tunnel motor". This unit is longer so you might have to cut down the driveshafts. The HTC trucks really don't share many parts with the other six axle trucks. The HTC sideframes will not fit on any other truck. I don't know if the RTR drive parts will swap. An entire SD-45-2 frame and drive should fit as it is the same length. I don't know if it's frame will clear the shorter SD-40-2 body however.
Good Hunting, Mike
What I meant about the C44 and AC4400 trucks was that they use the same inner truck (frame, gears, wheels, etc.). The sideframes can be swapped easily enough. Since you say you have a dummy SD40-2, you should already have the proper sideframes to use.
Thanks to all. What I gather is that my best bet is to track down another SD40-2 since it doesn't appear there are other models that have the same "guts". The dummy I have was another junk box find, and it came without trucks - just frame and shell, so finding another donor SD40-2 is probably the cleanest route. i truly appreciate everyone's input.