Kato Phase II SD70Ms

[ryan_wilkerson]

I think I've tried this swap before. Thanks for the photo proof.

First photo is an original shell on a newer chassis. Second shot is the original chassis with the flared radiator long hood.

Honestly if I could get the new fuel tank/underframe detail piece from Kato separately as well as flat radiator SD70M, I like them better as one less piece to have to mess with. I have 3 or revised chassis that I could use but can’t because the fuel tank isn’t sold separately for the SD70M flares unlike the SD70ACe which are available.

Chris

[sundowner]

So, with the big boy coming next year, Kato could sell us this with this part combos

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3256960
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3834129

Also for the next straight rad release they could do this

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=143729

And this before it was renumber

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3840887

[EspeeGoldenState]

So, with the big boy coming next year, Kato could sell us this with this part combos

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3256960
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3834129

Also for the next straight rad release they could do this

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=143729

And this before it was renumber

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3840887

I suggested the same thing in a different thread and got the reply of use the Kato suggestion box/email. I know sundowner, you replied to the post. I really think it would be a win-win situation for them to the trio. Heck could even throw UP/SP 1996 into the mix as it and 4884 were the two that pulled it back onto the live main line.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50344.msg678202#msg678202

Chris

[GaryHinshaw]

The UP and NS DC flat-rad models are in stock at MBK now.  48 each as of early this afternoon.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Received UP 4000 today and had to try it out.
Found a UP flare shell and swapped in the long hood. Everything else is from the flat radiator UP 4000.
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[EspeeGoldenState]

@ryan_wilkerson does the yellow and gray paint match?

That would make renumbering a breeze if so.

Chris

[GaryHinshaw]

This is really great.  I'll definitely have to order a few more and revamp a bunch of my flared units.

Now, if only we could get Atlas (@Atlas Paul) to rerun the BLMA radiator fan and lift ring kits: BLMA66 and BLMA90, respectively...

[jagged ben]

Hmm, I wonder if they'll make decorated shells or just cabs available.

[EspeeGoldenState]

Hmm, I wonder if they'll make decorated shells or just cabs available.

Not sure on either, but the Kato Parts site, has this showing for the last week or so. Hopefully I can pick up a few.

921565    SD70M Bodyshell, Undec (Flat Radiator Version), 1 ea N-Scale / Fits: SD70M (All versions)   ARRIVING 5/2021

Chris

[ryan_wilkerson]

@ryan_wilkerson does the yellow and gray paint match?

That would make renumbering a breeze if so.

Chris

I think it's close. Certain light makes it look like a match but not in others. I'll have to do some more comparisons.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Would be nice to be able to order an unnumbered flared longhood to swap onto a stock straight rad SD70M.

Hmm, I wonder if they'll make decorated shells or just cabs available.

[sundowner]

I try this today with a new flat and one from the last run of flares and the paint looks like they match

[GaryHinshaw]

I finally got a chance to try the flat/flare shell swap and it works perfectly, except for one thing: the tab on the front of the flared shell that holds the front walkway in place is shorter than the corresponding tab on the flat shell.  Since no one has mentioned this yet, I'm wondering if I'm the only one having this issue?

Here's a comparison, with the flat shell on the left, flared on the right:



As a result, the tab does not latch onto the underside of the walkway frame (flared shell on top, flat one on bottom):



And there is a tendency for the front sill to sag a bit, leaving a bit of a gap:



The effect is not very large, but I run long, heavy trains, and I worry that coupler height might be compromised when it's under load and not more rigidly supported.  Has anyone come across this and devised a solution?  I'm thinking of trying to remove a bit of walkway material ahead of the tab, but that material is also constraining a pin that secures the front handrail casting, so that's not an obvious solution.   I'll look into it though.

Aside from this, the swap is great.  The paint match with the revised-mech flared units is excellent.

[Steveruger45]

How about gluing a styrene block on top of the tab and then trimming it to match the longer tab?
If you ever wanted to reverse that change could then glue on some styrene to the newly trimmed area to bring it back to original latching height.

[eja]

Now, if only we could get Atlas (@Atlas Paul) to rerun the BLMA radiator fan and lift ring kits: BLMA66 and BLMA90, respectively...

Yes !  Aren't we all glad Atlas bought BLMA.