SD59M-2/SD32ECO question

[jnevis]

OK, I have an Atlas SD60 that I keep trying to decide what to do with.  It's an Oakway leaser right now.  I have an SD70M and SD60M shell and I was looking at building an SD59M-2 rebuild.  My rough guess is the flared radiator secton and most of the rear of the hood from the 70M added to the 60M.  I will also need to graft the 3 window nose/headlight to the 2 window cab.  The radiator section's grills will need to be shortened and a put a hatch on it (maybe use a battery box hatch from something).  My biggest hurdle looks to be the equipment box behind the left side of the cab.  Any ideas?  Also how hard would it be to use the Kato 70M front sill on the Atlas frame to add the ditch lights that are part of it?

Ref photos I'm starting with
http://thundertrain.org/sd60m-071110.html

[ljudice]

Looks like an interesting project - have you heard/seen if any of the Triclops (three front window) units are getting this rebuild?  That might be even cooler??

[jnevis]

The only one's I've seen pics of are the two window units but I'll keep looking.

[jnevis]

So I started cutting the other day.  The radiator sections of both shells are off.  I wanted to shorten the Kato grills but they didn't come off as cleanly as I'd hoped (should have bought two SD70M shells).  Before I modify the Atlas grills, does anybody make brass/cast grills that are better than the stock Atlas SD60 grills?

Next step is to indent the brake wheel and add the equipment box near the cab.

[Philip H]

Not aware of any aftermarket cast grilles.  You might look at BLMA and Gold Medal Models to see if either has grill material you can capture from another source.

Looking forward to pics.

[chessie system fan]

I don't know how close they are, but SD80/90 grills are separate parts.

[jmlaboda]

He would have to use the flared grill for the SD70... the SD80/SD90 is a different grill with the roof top panel being raised.

[jnevis]

I looked into the SD70ACe's grills.  They are about the right length, seperate from the rest of the shell, and only has two grills.  Unfortunately they aren't available as a seperate part from Kato and they aren't the right style.