NWP SWPPaint them up in NWP SWP colors, yeah now we're getting somwhere!
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I can't wait to see pictures of your progress.
Please share in Weekend Photo Fun!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Ok, I decided I'd like to do a SD40T-2 SNOOT, Athearn has an RTR version, some of the details I'll add will be snowplow, rotary beacon, MILW style Spark Arrestors, perhaps some Horst air filters, an Ashcan headlights, maybe change the squared off end of the long hood to the regular EMD hood end.
Paint them up in NWP SWP colors, yeah now we're getting somwhere!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
NWP SWPI thought they'd be good project units that would be good runners/pullers and eventually I'd paint them in NWP SWP paint, as far as a layout I have come to the conclusion that a layout is not a reasonable idea right now and in the near future, I am wanting to build a fleet of motive power that is reletively cheap. If I can spend 30-40 bucks on a GP40 put two motors in, a decoder, speaker, and some weight, and only have spend $200 I'd be happy. Plus itd be a nice hands on project to prepare me for the kit bashed monster engines I hope to someday build.
Not really a good starter project.
1) Start small.
2) Go online.
3) Find several photos of one locomotive you wish to model (just a GP40 or GP38, nothing fancy here, not looking to shape the world).
4) Identify from photos the required detail parts (may require a trip to a well stocked hobby shop and lots of questions/searching on internet/Walthers catalog)
ex: (ditch lights or rotary beacon, brake lines, MU hoses and cables, bell(s), proper horn(s), pilot (footboard, snowplow), see through steps, see-through dynamic brake fans, see through winterization hatch if applicable, antennae, grab irons, the list goes on)
5) Find HO scale athearn RTR version of said model.
6) Compare RTR unit to photos
7)Purchase said unit.
8) Test run it.
9) Upgrade drive train as required, install DCC.
10) Test run it
11) Purchase required detail parts
12) Paint/install detail parts.
13) Repaint model as required
14) Weather model
15) Next project
NWP SWP I wasn't planning on buying anything for another few weeks anyways.
I wasn't planning on buying anything for another few weeks anyways.
Well, there ya go--there aren't any of the Alco Models available right now anyway--maybe in a few weeks????
Ed
I thought they'd be good project units that would be good runners/pullers and eventually I'd paint them in NWP SWP paint, as far as a layout I have come to the conclusion that a layout is not a reasonable idea right now and in the near future, I am wanting to build a fleet of motive power that is reletively cheap. If I can spend 30-40 bucks on a GP40 put two motors in, a decoder, speaker, and some weight, and only have spend $200 I'd be happy. Plus itd be a nice hands on project to prepare me for the kit bashed monster engines I hope to someday build.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
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.
Rob Spangler
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.
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.
riogrande5761Perhaps they do for those who aren't bothered by the way they look.
Russell
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.
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.
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.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
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.
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.
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?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
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?
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.
riogrande5761 There are plenty examples of prototypes some fund ugly. But ugly models of decent looking prototypes - thats something else.
There are plenty examples of prototypes some fund ugly. But ugly models of decent looking prototypes - thats something else.
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!
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.
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.
I bet a lot of Bachmann SD45s failed the test of time.
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.
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.
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.
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.