Sd50 vs sd40-2

[u18b]

Could someone do a favor for me?

I have a multi year project on the back burner that may have reached a good time.  (I know...... Another one????).

Could someone pop the shell off an IM SD40-2 and see if an atlas SD50 or 60 shell will slide over it.

I assume it will, but will just like confirmation.

[Mark5]

The SD50/SD60 frame should be longer.

The SD50S was built on the same frame as a SD40-2, but the normal production SD50/SD60 has a longer frame (truck centers about 2 feet further apart).

So it should slide over.

Mark

[u18b]

I know it should. 

I just wanted to confirm that it will.

[peteski]

The hood width could also be in play here (especially since each loco is from a different manufacturer).

[Mark5]

Unfortunately I won't be able to test this until the hi-nose comes out.

[JanesCustomTrain]

Could someone do a favor for me?

Yes, the Atlas SD50 shell will fit an IM SD40-2 drive. It's tight but the shell fits. The dimples on the drive have to be filed off or new notches have to be carved/drilled inside the shell as they are at a different spot than on the Atlas drive. Same with the retaining tabs for the sill, they are also at a different location.

Jane

[u18b]

Thanks Jane.

There is hope for my SD50S one day.

I didn't want to buy an SD40-2 if the shell was not going to fit.

Thanks again.

[tehachapifan]

I'm a little curious as to what you're working on. Is there a reason you can't use the SD50 drive?

[u18b]

As stated above when Mark was onto what I was thinking.....

And SD50S is a short SD50.  So the SD50 chassis is too long.

I've had an SD50S kitbashed shell for many years.  Two roads owned them.  N&W and KCS.

But the Kato chassis is too wide.  So I need a thinner chassis.

So the IM chassis is promising.

Of course, an old Tunnel Motor might work too.

[tehachapifan]

Ah, gotcha! I saw the "S" and guess I just interpreted it as meaning plural.

[Robbman]

KCS' SD40X and N&Ws SD50S' were different... and thats not counting the retrofit N&Ws got.

[JanesCustomTrain]

Of course, an old Tunnel Motor might work too.

Same truck space as the SD50 so it would be too long as well.

IM's SD40-2 and SD45-2 share the same drive, the Tunnel Motor's drive is different.

Jane

[jagged ben]

IM's SD40-2 and SD45-2 share the same drive, the Tunnel Motor's drive is different.

I didn't think that was true, but my locos are packed up right now and I can't check.  I thought the SD45-2 and tunnel motor were the same.  I know they take the same decoder.

Also, if the SD40-2 mech is the same as either of those, you're talking about the SD40-2W version, or another that they came out with before the newest sound-equipped ones.

[JanesCustomTrain]

I thought the SD45-2 and tunnel motor were the same.

...on the SD45-2 it is vertical and the rear cooling fans are more spread out on the top of the rear of the long hood.[1] This unit used the same frame as the EMD SD40-2 and EMD SD38-2. The largest owner of the SD45-2 was the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe with 90 units...

Length    68 feet 10 inches (20.98 m)

Jane

[Ike the BN Freak]

...on the SD45-2 it is vertical and the rear cooling fans are more spread out on the top of the rear of the long hood.[1] This unit used the same frame as the EMD SD40-2 and EMD SD38-2. The largest owner of the SD45-2 was the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe with 90 units...

Length    68 feet 10 inches (20.98 m)

Jane

I'm thinking Ben is right, while the proto uses the same frame, the model, there is more room inside the shell of the 45-2 so think they used a different frame.