Can anyone tell me the external difference in the SD50 and SD60. I know that there are several internal differences, but that’s not what I’m worried about.
They appear to be very similar, so the real reason I ask is this - Would it be possible to pass a SD50 off as a SD60?
Thanks
I preface this with the comment that I’m not the diesel expert I’d like to be. BUT, I saw this discussed on forums a while back. I think the big difference has to do with the engine access door layout. Being different, that is.
Ed
From waht I’ve heard… if it’s conked out it’s an SD50 and if it’s working it’s an SD60.
The SD60’s were supposed to sort out the problems that the SD50s suffered from (don’t recall what they were).
Then there were the SD60Ms… among the first of the wide cabs.
I don’t know whether any SD50s received wide cabs or were upgraded to SD60s… can anyone lighten my darkness on this?
TIA
The SD50s weren’t that bad a locomotive, its just that the SD40-2 is an impossible act to follow. Except for wrecks on every railroad that bought them, the SD50 (and GP50) outlasted the GE locomotive bought in the same year. For example all of the Santa Fe GP50s are still on the BNSF roster, none of the Santa Fe GE B36-7s lasted 10 years let alone as long as the GP50s. Similarly Missouri Pacific bought 60 SD50s, the following year they bought 60 C36-7s, all of the C36-7s were gone before the first SD50 left the roster, one former MP SD50 is still on the UP roster. The SD50 was built with a 645F series engine while the SD60 introduced the 710G engine. A small number of SD50s tested microprocessor controls, all SD60s were built with microprocessor controls. It would not be economical to upgrade a SD50 to an SD60. Widenose locomotives didn’t become the standard until the middle of the SD60 production period, and the Spartan Cab didn’t disappear until 5 years into the SD70 era.
Not sure I see the answer yet. I too have wondered if I could pass off an SD50 for an SD60 (not SD60M). I have looked at many photo’s of the two and cannot see much of a difference. I am not a rivet counter (except at work, aircraft mechanic…go figure) so if you couldn’t tell on a run by if it was a 50 or 60 I would go for it.
Now, does anyone really know?
Mike in Tulsa
BNSF Cherokee Sub
Looking at Athearn RTR models of a SD50 (SP, ex-DRGW) and of a SD60 (CSXT), the hood doors beneath the radiators are different on both sides. Also, the doors just behind the air intake grill are different on both sides. They also shifted some latches over to an adjacent door. Those are the only differences I saw on a quick look. The horn is also in a different location, but that is due to the prototype railroads.
Maybe you haven’t given us enough information about your layout and your operational plans, or maybe I’ve missed the point, but why do you want to pass off an SD50 for an SD60? Why not run the SD50 for what it is, an SD50?
As far as the differences go, what was said above is correct. I also have heard that an SD50 has a sight glass on the long hood while the SD60 doesn’t, or it’s in a different spot, I forget…
My layout motive power plan calls for SD60’s, SD60M’s, and SD70MAC’s for mainline service. It seems the regular SD60’s are hard to comeby (not that the SD50’s are easier). I thought if an SD50 looked close enough to an SD60 and I could get one, then that would help fill the roster.
I really plan on waiting til the SD60’s are more available and get them, just wanted to keep my options open.
Hope that helps.
Mike in Tulsa
BNSF Cherokee Sub
And when do you think that will be? Athearn RTR and P2K have already done them, infact Athearn just released another run.
The SD60s electrical was updated from the SD50. The SD50s main problem (not all the time mind you) was it’s electrical. They were poorly designed in that part of it’s making. 95% of the time if the locomotive had broken down it had to do with the electrical. So when the SD60 came out a few years later, it had the improved electrical system and as stated above, a few sidedoors had been taken away and put in place.
Maybe that can clear up the other portion![tup]
Happy railroading[(-D]
James
From what I have heard, they actually fixed much of the electrical problems before SD50 production ended.
Were these electrical problems DC or DCC? Were they getting problems with them arcing as they crossed turnout frogs? If so they should have come here for several threads of advice! [(-D]
Which did not stop some of the newest SD50’s (MP & CR) from being retired and makes perplexing the fact that the oldest (KCS & NS) are still running. KCS even bought some retired CR SD50’s for their own use. They obviously have more patience with the 50’s idiosyncracies.
I realize what you are saying but I didn’t say that they should stop using them. I all I said was that they had some electrical issues that should have been caught in the making. It’s not something that can’t be fixed.[tup]
I also noted that someone noted that the electrical problems had been cleared up at the end of production. Probably true. So possibly some of the last SD50’s made got that little boost. This is most likely what inspired them to make the SD60.
Happy railroading[(-D]
James
There were more issues than just electrical at work in the SD50. The 645 engine was just about stretched to it’s limit in trying to produce 3500 (and later 3600) horsepower out of 16 cylinders. CSX has recognized that problem and has derated several ex-CR SD50’s to 3000 hp to go easy on the engines and reducing them to the same tonnage ratings as SD40-2’s.
Here is an interesting thread from the Trains forum.
If you are still looking for UP SD60’s, Athearn recently released another run and I was able to pick them up at the local hobby shop in Tulsa. I had to order them and wait a couple of weeks but I was able to get them.
In relation to de-rating SD50s, CSX has started rebuilding several SD50s into SD50-2s. Not sure if there is any difference in horses, but I know the electrical system was updated. Here’s a few I’ve seen:
Have many SD 50s ended up in the hands of short lines or regionals? Or has the supply of SD 40-2s kept this from happening yet?
Jim