Hello
I posted on this subject on the Gen. Info forum site a couple of weeks ago.But I did not get much input or help. I want to build a SDL39 from Athearn BB parts.I have some ideas. What I need input on is chopping the diecast frame and putting it back together.
Thanks
WC3023
Model Railroader ran an article on doing this in the last year or so - try searching for it and getting hold of a copy as it was well-researched and gave good instructions on how to do this, unfortunately I can’t remember offhand what month it was but it was definitely a 2004 issue. Hope this is of help!
THe issue was September 2004. IT goes into detail on how to do a WC SDL39, but they are of MILW decent, so just apply a different paint scheme.
Hope I helped,
Noah
I rember reading that article.But I don’t think it was with Athearn parts.
It definitely involved a couple of Athearn Blue Box locos, I think it was a GP38 and an SD of some kind, though they may have only used parts from the SD. I do remember they had to build the long hood pretty much from scratch, and the frame was a pretty involved piece of work - they basically shortened the fuel tank and grafted on different “ends” to get the truck mountings in the right place. They also needed to do some bashing in the trucks - think they either shortened the wheelbase on a set of SD trucks or added the third axle to the GP ones. Good luck with the conversion!
Kaslo Shops is reported to be producing these. While they might be expensive I’m sure they’ll be a lot less than brass. Here’s a link if you are interested: