N Scale SD9 Winterization Hatches

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've got a cool SD9 project coming up: V&O 603.

You might recognize it from this rather well known photo.



It should be pretty easy to detail being relatively stock, except for the spark arrestors and winterization hatch.



I've got the spark arrestors, but don't have the hatch. A quick googling for "N Scale SD9 winterization hatch" came up empty.

Anyone have a source they like for these? Do they happen to be the same as GP7/9 ones? That'd make life far too easy.

[Missaberoad]

Same sized fan as the GP7/9,  so I can't see why it wouldn't work. Miniatures by Eric Makes a nice GP9 winterization hatch that might work.

[sizemore]

Arrestor can be found here:

https://www.cmrproducts.com/Locomotive-Detail-Parts-Switcher-Spark-Arrestor-p519554042

The S.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Same sized fan as the GP7/9,  so I can't see why it wouldn't work. Miniatures by Eric Makes a nice GP9 winterization hatch that might work.

Oh nice, that'll make that much easier.
Thanks!

As you can tell, I'm not too up on these "cold weather accessories".

@sizemore , thanks. I think I might actually already have that very part with the idea of doing some Reading geeps that had them.

[spookshow]

I'm pretty sure I have a bunch of Atlas SD24 winterizations hatches squirreled away someplace if you want to try one of those.

-Mark

[signalmaintainer]

I've got a cool SD9 project coming up: V&O 603.

You might recognize it from this rather well known photo.



It should be pretty easy to detail being relatively stock, except for the spark arrestors and winterization hatch.



I've got the spark arrestors, but don't have the hatch. A quick googling for "N Scale SD9 winterization hatch" came up empty.

Anyone have a source they like for these? Do they happen to be the same as GP7/9 ones? That'd make life far too easy.

The correct one can be had from Miniatures by Eric, the NH-5.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm pretty sure I have a bunch of Atlas SD24 winterizations hatches squirreled away someplace if you want to try one of those.

-Mark

Oh man, I kinda want them just to be able to say the engine was "touched by Spookshow". You are a low level n scale hero, and I can think of no better thing to throw in the mix with a tribute to one of the true OGs of the hobby.

But before I make you go through the trouble, let me check my stash to see if I have anything for a GP9.

[Peachymike]

If you can’t source one, I have a printed version designed for the Atlas GP9, should work for the SD as well

[jpwisc]

Ed, I’ll check my inventory too. I think I have some MbE hatches sitting around.

Karl

[wm3798]

Back in the old days we'd take the Dremel to an Atlas E8 shell and harvest a hatch.   



Since the motors were sh!t, there were always plenty of shells available!  It might not be perfect, but a little putty and a little paint would make it something that it ain't!

Lee

[randgust]

I did Erics and I'm pretty sure they were brass, too.

[robert3985]

Back in MY old days, I'd take one of my Sunset Enterprises GP7/GP9 Winterization Hatches (with that oh-so fine etched grill in it), clean it up (they needed quite a bit of filing, filling and squaring) with fine jeweler's files, and use that. 

Before Sunset came along, I'd build a box out of thick Styrene, carefully round the top edges over with a diamond fingernail file & fine sanding sticks.  Then, I'd drill a hole in the top and square it up with the fine jeweler's files, then use some of my salvaged ultra-fine stainless screening in the hole.  Both turned out pretty good, and frankly, the scratchbuilt ones looked just as good as the Sunrise Enterprises ones, neither of which had any rivet/screwhead details.

Prototypically the hatches had a narrow flange around the bottom with rivets/screwheads, and a thin, flat plate on the top also with very shallow rivet/screwheads.  I'm not sure if the square vent opening had a frame around it, but it's a possibility but I can't find any prototype photos showing the tops of many engines that had the hatches.

The Miniatures By Eric NH-5 hatch is smooth overall, without any rivet/screwhead details and the vent opening is rectangular rather than square.  I don't know which is correct, but my Sunset Enterprises Hatches have square openings.  The hatches I scratchbuilt were for my UP F3's, so their prototype details probably don't pertain.

Photo (1) - Winterization Hatch on one of my Atlas GP9's which is a Sunrise Enterprises Britannia Metal casting with an etched screen.  I had to clean it up a lot as well as fill a lot of surface flaws:


Photo (2) - SD-9 Winterization Hatch OMI Brass HO Scale by Ajin:


Rectangular vent or square vent?  OMI thinks square is what it was.  Note the lack of any rivet/screwhead, flange, frame details too.

Photo (3) - Athearn HO scale UP GP9-B Winterization Hatch. Note square hole, flange around the bottom, thin plate on top, what looks to be maybe a frame around vent opening:


Maybe this info will assist.

Have fun!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[garethashenden]

I have an SD24 one somewhere, and I tried it on a GP9. Its way too wide. I don't know how GP9 and SD9 bodies compare, but I imagine that they're similar. The '24s being a generation later. I think I used the mesh from a reusable k cup.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, well, I've got some good news. I have some Sunrise hatches for GP7/9s. And since it sounds like they're the right ones for SD7/9s, I'm in business.

Thanks for offers of assistance guys! Now for the engine to arrive. And the decals. And to get home from next week's trip to India.