comparing Kato SD40-2 to Atlas SD50/SD60

[craigolio1]

Hey everyone.

I will be building a  BC Rail GF6C Electric which was built on an SD 40-2 chassis.  The model from Shapeways can be built on a Kato SD40-2 chassis so that would seem the natural place to start, however I imagine that through my trial and error I may ruin a chassis and have to start over.  We all know that Kato parts are hard to come by.  Starting with an Atlas chassis would be much easier to fix if I ruin it. 

I was looking at some specs on line and the SD50/60 seems very close to the SD40-2.  Does anyone have a Kato SD40-2 and an Atlas SD50/60 that they could put wheels to wheels and compare for me?  Perhaps with a photo to post?

Thanks, Craig

[Chris333]

FYI I just saw some Kato SD40's on sale at MBK.

[spookshow]

The SD50/60 chassis is a good inch longer than the SD40-2 chassis. And even measured truck-ends to truck-ends, the SD50/60 is still nearly a quarter of an inch longer. So, probably a lot of work to get it into that shell (if even possible).



Cheers,
-Mark

[BCR751]

Remember, Craig, you need the Kato SD40-2 MID PRODUCTION chassis for the GF6C which is even more difficult to find.

Doug

[craigolio1]

Thanks Spookshow.  I figured as much.  Darn it.

Doug.  The reason is because the motor mount is lower, correct?  The idea I was toying with was to take an early Kato SD40-2 and modify the chassis to turn the motor 90 deg.  Taking advantage of the width in the shell, my thought is that this would give me the space needed in the top for the depressed center, and also underneath so I can do a a proper arangment of equipment underneath.  The Shapeways model, as you know, comes with pieces that go in place to cover the fuel tank area that's not there on the prototype.  My hope was to build the bottom with a lot more air in it like on the prototype.  As I said in the OP, this will likely result in one or two sacrificed frames. 

I have a few early Kato SD40-2 models which I plan to measure to be sure it will actually work, but beyond that, I need to come up with some parts.

Craig

[BCR751]

Doug.  The reason is because the motor mount is lower, correct?  The idea I was toying with was to take an early Kato SD40-2 and modify the chassis to turn the motor 90 deg. 
Craig

Yes, that's correct.  I am intrigued by your suggestion of turning the motor 90-degrees.  I looked at that possibility when I built my GF6C and, although I think the motor would fit inside the Shapeways shell, I couldn't see how to retain the mounting bracket.  Using that, there won't be enough room. You will need some sort of rigid bracket to hold the motor and a mounting arrangement to hold the bracket.  If you're off centre even a little bit, the drive linkage won't work properly.  They don't use actual universal joints rather just the plastic "gear" inserted into the fly wheel.

I have one more loco to do so keep me in the loop regarding your progress on this.

Doug

[craigolio1]

Yes another issue would removing so much of the frame to accommodate the sideways motor that there would be too little left to support the whole thing.  It seems like a lot just to get some space under the loco, but it was an idea.

With your installation did you have room for a drop in decoder (providing you are using DCC)?

This project will be on going for a loooooong time.  It's still in the planning stages and I move very slowly.  I'm just now finishing my Pacific Starlight Dinner Train and I was at the planning stage with it about 10 years ago.  That being said, a lot of that time was collecting models/parts and researching.  Anyway, I guess I'm saying don't hold your breath.  Haha.

Craig