Will it fit on an Athearn shell? The only SD40s Athearn built with both an inset brake on the left of the short hood and non-dynamic brakes (both trademarks of C&NW units) are out of production, so I have two with the inset brakes, and could only find Kato non-dynamic housings.
How many of the non db hatches do you need?
I have seven (7) of them from a project I am currently working on…they are all Athearn non db hatches from undec. SD40-2`s…would they work for you?
Matt,
Before you get too far into this project, let’s re-group and look at the C&NW SD40 fleet:
SD40
- 867-896 - These are ‘true’ C&NW units - No DB equipment
- 921-929 - These are ex-CGW SD40’s - They have DB, and signal lights in the nose
SD40-2
- 6801-6935 - These are SD40-2 units - All should have DB’s
The question becomes - what Athearn engines do you have? Athearn came out with a ‘Blue Box’ version of the SD40-2 in the early 80’s. They later released a SD40 in the ‘RTR’ line, based on the RPP shells they purchased. They eventually re-tooled the old ‘Blue Box’ SD40-2 and now make various versions of the SD40-2 in the ‘RTR’ line.
The reason I ask is because Athearn does not list a C&NW SD40 on their web site. They have made lots of SD40-2’s in both the ‘Blue Box’ and the ‘RTR’ line(there is even one on eBay right now).
Kato has made both SD40 & SD40-2’s in HO as well. A friend models C&NW and has quite a large fleet of Athearn & Kato engine that he has modified to include the trademark ‘gong’ bell on the nose.
Do not group SD40 & SD40-2 locomotives as the same thing - They are different.
Jim
RIght now I plan on building two units. They would most likely work. I did order a couple from Kato as they were the only ones I could find, but I do also plan to build a db-less SD45 from a Kato model. If you need them you can keep them, if not, I’d be glad to take a couple off your hand.
Jim, I have two RTR SD40s; one in Conrail paint, and other in SP paint. They both have the brake housing inset in the short hood, and I figured it would be easier to replace the dynamic housing with a non db one then to replace the short hood. If you look in the RTR section and click “show all roadnames” you will see the C&NW SD40s. They were released in 2006. The only other roadname Athearn offered that wouldn’t have had required modification was the Pacific Harbor Li
Good Deal Matt. I did a search of Athearn parts and the only non-DB hatch they have is for the GP40-2. BTW, where are you located? I will be at the La Crosse show in January(I have two tables with a friend).
Jim
I’m in Green Bay. What show is that in LaCrosse?