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Modelers Layout => Discussion => Topic started by: RJ on April 16, 2008, 10:16:13 PM

Title: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on April 16, 2008, 10:16:13 PM
Hi All,

Hi

New on here, and a HUGH Norfolk Southern Fan??.Hopefully I will get a job after I retired from the Fire Department (if I have any thing left hahahah not likely thou ;D)

I am trying to build a SD70m-2 in HO scale?I am looking at getting a RP SD90 Shell and cutting it down to fit on a Athearn SD 70 drive and chasse??

Any ideas? Is there a cab already made?........Not waiting any more for t55?.. Its been to long and the costs keep going up, must be the price of gas too!!!!!!!!!!

I have Scratch built slugs in the past, so I have a little time with putty and files ;D?..

Thanks RJ
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on April 20, 2008, 10:50:54 PM
Well I have been doing some research over the last few days, and I think this is what I am going to attempt??

RP shell (SD-90 Phase I ) ?..Athearn SD-70 Drive

The Shell will take a lot of work?..I think the hardest parts will be the cab?.

Ill try to post pic?s as I go along
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on April 21, 2008, 05:33:19 PM


Found a great deal on the RPP SD90mac Phase I Shell.......5 Bucks, plus shipping..... Bought 2 just in case!!!! ;D
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: stillbre on April 22, 2008, 07:58:30 AM
Did they have any other RPP shells?  I need to pick up a few C32-8 shells to kitbash into C39-8s.
Do we know for certain if the SD70M-2 wheelbase is the same as the SD70M?  I seem to recall reading somewhere that the 70M-2 chassis is longer than the 70.
For the cab, Southeastern Prototype Models makes the Phase II cab that you need for the flared-radiator SD70M and 70M-2.  DLH Locomotive Works in Springfield OH is sole supplier of these.  937-629-0321
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on April 22, 2008, 09:00:33 AM
Yeah they had a bunch Of shells.......The Prices had a wide range (the GP40X was like 38 bucks)  But so far they have been great to work with ppw-aline.com

Yeah I'm not sure about the how long the 70m-2 is either But I am going to try to find it to 70 chassis......Its the first one so we will see how it turns out. ???

Thanks for the info..........Do they have a web site or do i need to call them?
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on April 29, 2008, 08:17:57 PM
Hi, I'm new here too and am a ThoroughBreed-holic.
I too am tired of waiting for T55 to produce the units and came to the same conclusion you did last night about using the RPP SD90MAC shell for scratchbuilding. I had done some research into the flared radiator sections and cabs that you are reffering to and have the contact info for the gentleman you are looking for.

But the radiator sections and cabs he has are for the sd70m tier1 locos, the 2600 early series. Now the cab can be transposed to the m-2's with just minor ignorance of the windshield, but the radiator section is not only wrong length, but not flared enough.
But I guess if your willing to overlook a couple of  small things, no rivet counting, then you should be able to adapt these shells together rather quickly. Now in theory the m-2 and ace should be the same frame, but still shorter than the 90mac.
I know trainworld has the Athearn Genesis sd70m lease units for $49.99, but if we need the mac for the frame size, someone let me where to get them cheap.
Please let me know how yours turns out.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on April 29, 2008, 08:28:19 PM
Heres technical data for the loco and the 70mac is the closest unit in length:

                      SD70M-2
(Tier 2 compliant SD70M. Also known as SD70DCe)
Production Span: Late 2004-Present
Amnt. Produced:  58
Length:                  74' 3"
Height:                   15' 11"
Weight:                  407,000 lbs.
Prime mover:       16-cyl 710G3C-EST2
Horsepower:        4,300
Tractive Effort:      113,100 lbs.
Fuel Capacity:      4,900 gallons
Gear Ratio:           
Max Speed:           70 Mph

SD70MAC   *
     
Production Span: 1993-2004
Amnt. Produced:   1,124
Length:                   74' 0"
Height:                    15' 7.5"
Weight:                   415,000 lbs.
Prime mover:        16-cyl 710G3C   
Horsepower:         4,000 & 4,300
Tractive Effort:       137,000 lbs.
Fuel Capacity:       5,000 gallons
Gear Ratio:            83:16
Max Speed:            70 Mph

this data from http://www.geocities.com/guilford_350/emdsd.html
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on April 29, 2008, 10:45:49 PM
Thanks Man,

I thought I was the only one out there looking to do this??I saw on Ebay where a guy had cut an 90mac phase II shell down and did a lot of  scratch building to the cab, and they looked Da&% Good (in UP paint).  By just looking at the RPP shells If you cut in the right spots, It looks as if it might work

I have bought 2 Athearn Gen SD70?s for cheep on Ebay and the basis for the model.  The RPP Shells Should be here this week.  I have also ordered a bunch of parts that I think I need (so far)

I think The Cab will be the hardest part??I?m not sure yet if I?m going to try to fix the windshield yet??.Still thinking about that?..But If I?m going to do it, I mine as well do it right???

Also Thanks for the info?.It looks like I am 3 inches off??WOW I think I will be ok with that hahahahahahaha

Yet again thank you for the info?..I will try to post Picture as I go along??.But with work and everything else that is going on, they may be few and far between

RPP shell, SD90MAC Phase II ? 5$   ppwaline.com ( I think? google search it, the guy has been great to work with so far)

Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on April 29, 2008, 11:49:26 PM
You say you are using sd70's for this task, they are proto 2'1" shorter than the 70m-2.
Hmm, I wanna see what yours look like using the sd70's before I commit to which engine type to use, lol.
If it doesnt look out of place, I'll gladly follow your lead, I'm not a real picky rivet counter, but I do want it close as I'm sure you do.
The info I got from the supplier of the radiators and cabs is follows:
QuoteMy webpage is being re-habbed with the photos...the flare
set is $16.95,needing Cannon #1407 grilles to complete
along with the Ath. fans. The cab is the 'porkchop' window
style  like on NS #2600's;UP #4000's, etc. for $26.95.
All orders are plus actual postage,usually less than
$2.00.
Now that means his kits would build these sd70m tier1 types, and the cab is close enought to the tier2 sd70m-2's for me.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=94483
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=279329
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on May 01, 2008, 09:49:57 PM


WOW!!!!!!!!!  Started Working on It tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alot Harder then I thought it would be......I just need to remember to take my Time :-\
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on May 11, 2008, 11:00:45 PM
I have been working on first of the Sd70m-2?s?.Well it doesn?t look that bad?..If you?re a rivet counter?..Well sorry  ::)?.

Here are a few hints that I have found if someone is trying to build one.

1.   The Cab was much easer then I thought it would be?The windows were cake?.a little putty to make them Square?Good to go
2.   The front of the cab I cut out a piece one each side?..Some more Putty?.and shaping?.Good To go
3.   The Body was a different story?..I think I had the radiator to small?.So the next one will be slightly larger?
4.   The piecing together on the long hood looks ok but has been a pain in the butt?.

Ill try to get some picture on here as soon as possible ;)
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on May 12, 2008, 03:41:45 AM
Yes, pics please!!
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on May 12, 2008, 02:39:20 PM
I can figure out how to put a picture on here ???
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on June 19, 2008, 07:33:44 PM
Well Im about 80% complete and I think it looks good.....I will take some Pictires this weekend and try to post them
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ns_7011 on June 19, 2008, 10:23:09 PM
Did you figure out how to post pics on here?
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on June 21, 2008, 02:26:10 PM
Ok lets see if this works....Sorry about the Picyures, my camera is old.....I will tyr to take better Pictures on Monday
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ns_7011 on June 21, 2008, 07:49:35 PM
Lookin good!!!
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: darkhorse2 on June 26, 2008, 12:39:34 AM
look very good..i dont think anybody will notice the scale shortness...they will be too busy drooling ;)
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on June 26, 2008, 03:56:01 PM
Thanks for the replys.......I just finished a High Hood Kato SD40 Today.  Had to take some time away from the 70.......

I hope to start back on the 70 this weekend, With gas so high, I cant afford to do anything  else!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ns_7011 on June 26, 2008, 05:13:33 PM
I know your pain there. Luckily for me I have a hobby shop less than 5 miles away.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on July 26, 2008, 11:09:52 PM
The 70-2 is done, as of today ;D.........I like the looks of it, but there are a few things that I will do Different on the next one......

Well i broke down and have started on a ES40.....Donsnt look that bad ;) For a GE ......

When I finish, I will post Picture of both of them......
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on July 27, 2008, 04:50:07 AM
I have 2 es40dc's, converts from T55 NP units. Only had to paint out the front and rear noses and the striping. Tried to leave the data detail on it.
But I also took an ac4400 and converted it to a es44ac using this website: http://qstation.org/BNSF_GEVO_Model/index.html
It turned out relatively close to my other gevos. I am happy with the results.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: Hoydie17 on July 27, 2008, 10:37:42 AM
Scooterh, he's a JREB member as well, did a remarkable job building a trio of CSX ES44DC's for me. 

We (he) started off by using T55 GEVO's (BNSF versions) and replacing the cabs with a pair of Atlas C40-8W cabs from CSX models.  That way that had the proper side-window configuration, headlights and numberboards were all in the nose as well. 

On the first one (primered unit) we used a KATO C44-9W cab from a CNW model, but they don't fit correctly without extensive building out to the proper width, they're just a hair too narrow.

I'm sure Scooter could provide more constructive technical feedback than I can. . . . but wanted to broach the subject for him.  I attached a couple of photos that he shot after completing the models. 

Sean

Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ns_7011 on July 28, 2008, 02:06:20 AM
holy crap those look nice
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on August 01, 2008, 03:00:04 AM
I just got thru kitbashing a SD70M-2 from a SD75I shell, a RPP SD90MAC shell, and a RPP sd60M cab. The cab was actually the easiest part for me. What really is good is the cab came from the sd60m shell, and I took the cab from the 75I kit and put in its place, and it looks alot better.
The shell was the hardest as I took the flared section along with the DB fan section from the 90mac and transposed it to the 75I shell. I still need to build the equipment access on the conductors side of the shell behind the cab, but otherwise its done. I think it looks good. I'm numbering it 2651, with numbers from the OLS GE c40 and emd gp sheet, and the thoroughbred decals from the 87-1225 sheet. I would like to use the cab interior from the 75I kit, but it wont fit inside the 60m cab. Will post pics in a few hrs.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: Michael Knight on August 01, 2008, 01:27:44 PM
The cab style found on actual SD60M units is not the same as the style used on SD70M-2 locomotives.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on August 01, 2008, 06:30:13 PM
Thats what I thought also, but the cab style you get from PPW-Aline is almost like it: http://ppw-aline.com/bdrppsd60.htm
The only difference is the cab has 3 front windows instead of 2. But that I can live with, as I'm  not a rivet counter lol.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on August 01, 2008, 11:24:18 PM


I Took the Cab from the SD 90 and notched out the front and filled it with puddy.....Alot of sanding later and I think the cab looked good.  But it still has the slant which the -2 windshield is stright up and down.........

It would be nice if someone would make a true -2 cab.

I thought that the Body was easy....Making everything Fit  right was a BiT$%

Right now I have so many project  ;D that Im starting to get things mixed up hahahahah.  Do to the fact that Im a Firefighter I have done a bunch of Kitbashing of fire trucks, I am still working on the es40dc, a NS reaserch car, and now I am going to start a dash 9 standard cab.  I think the dash 9 will be easy,  Bachmann dash 8 standard cab and a Athearn Body... We Will see.....

I keep saying that Im going to post more Picture and I will Im waiting for the es40, then I will put then both on the site....
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: scooter3798 on August 02, 2008, 02:32:21 PM
Quote from: RJ on August 01, 2008, 11:24:18 PM
now I am going to start a dash 9 standard cab.  I think the dash 9 will be easy,  Bachmann dash 8 standard cab and a Athearn Body

There was a pair of great articles on modeling these units in Railroad Model Craftsman back around 2000 I think. I'll have to look up the exact issues. They were done in I think back to back issues, and each was done by a different person, using a different approach. I want to say Cindy Winters did one of them. I know that they both used the Athearn Dash 9 for the rear end, but I think one used a Railpower B40-8 for the front end, while the other used the Bachmann C40-8 for the front.

   Scooter
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: Michael Knight on August 02, 2008, 04:33:36 PM
Use a Railpower B40-8 cab. The Bachmann cab is so out of proportion, it's more trouble than it's worth. The Railpower cab would be much more detailed as well.
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: scooter3798 on August 02, 2008, 04:46:39 PM
Either the Railpower front or the Atlas C40-8. If you went with the Atlas front end you could probably just follow the Bachmann article, as they would be cut pretty much the same way. Also I know that you can pick up the Atlas shells and cabs directly from their parts department pretty cheap, I think the shells are about 4 or 5 bucks and the cabs are 1 or 2.

  Also for the articles they were in the July and August 2000 issues of Railroad Model Craftsman. The July article was by Mike Rose and uses the Bachmann shell. The August article was by Cindy Winters and uses the Railpower shell. If anybody is interested in the articles and doesn't have those issues let me know and I can email you scans of them.

   Scooter
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on August 03, 2008, 10:04:32 AM
I submit for your viewing, a kitbashed SD70M-2. Made from a Athearn Genesis Sd75I chassis, and shell, with a RPP SD90MAC flare kit and DB fan, and a RPP SD60M cab. The overbright pics are to show some definition of the cab nose and the radiator section, sorry, but my camera sucks:
(http://www.thewhistlepost.com/forums/gallery/data/500/sd70m-2b.jpg)

Removed all these ugly pics

And a AC4400 converted to a ES44AC:
(http://www.thewhistlepost.com/forums/gallery/data/500/medium/ac4400-es44ac_a.jpg)
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on August 05, 2008, 04:15:46 PM


I will post Pictures of the SD 70-2, ES40DC, and a slug that I built tonite, when the Girlfriends brings the cable for the camera  ;D

As for the Dash 9 stanard cab, I wil start that when I get back from the beech..........I have the body just need to get the cab.  I think that I am going to order it from A line

Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ns_7011 on August 05, 2008, 07:32:50 PM
Quote from: RJ on August 05, 2008, 04:15:46 PM


I will post Pictures of the SD 70-2, ES40DC, and a slug that I built tonite, when the Girlfriends brings the cable for the camera  ;D

As for the Dash 9 stanard cab, I wil start that when I get back from the beech..........I have the body just need to get the cab.  I think that I am going to order it from A line




your best bet on the cab would be to look for a B40-8 or C40-8 shell from atlas on ebay, there's usually quite a few.


and btw "girlfriends"??? OOOOOHHHHHH  ;D ;D LOL
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on August 05, 2008, 08:26:23 PM


Heres one
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on August 05, 2008, 08:28:02 PM


and some more

The 70m-2 and the GEVO
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on August 05, 2008, 08:29:56 PM

The Cab of the 70-2

Paint is alittle thick ........Just noticed that ???
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: RJ on August 17, 2008, 10:38:21 PM
Quote from: ns_7011 on August 05, 2008, 07:32:50 PM
Quote from: RJ on August 05, 2008, 04:15:46 PM


I will post Pictures of the SD 70-2, ES40DC, and a slug that I built tonite, when the Girlfriends brings the cable for the camera  ;D

As for the Dash 9 stanard cab, I wil start that when I get back from the beech..........I have the body just need to get the cab.  I think that I am going to order it from A line





Yeah Im going to try that  Thanks


your best bet on the cab would be to look for a B40-8 or C40-8 shell from atlas on ebay, there's usually quite a few.


and btw "girlfriends"??? OOOOOHHHHHH  ;D ;D LOL
Title: Re: SD70m-2
Post by: ThoroughBreed on August 18, 2008, 04:36:15 PM
Ok, now that I have been experimented with a newer, better camera, I will give you the last pic of the same lcoc I built.
NS SD70M-2 rd# 2651
(http://www.thewhistlepost.com/forums/gallery/data/500/sd70m-2c1.JPG)