Plan on modeling two C&O SD-18. Using Atlas SD-24 as a starting point. Question is I have to change the trucks since these units used Alco tri-mount trucks(from treaded in Alco RSD 4&5). Will this work? Already e-mailed Atlas,and reply was negative. Also e-mailed C&O Historical still waiting an answer.Thank You.
Funny thing you brought this question up, I have been comtemplating this very conversion for quite sometime however I was going a different route altogether.
I was going to start with a pair of Proto undec SD9’s and steal the cabs and hoods from a pair of GP18’s or 20’s for the chopped noses. Then get a couple of sets of the Kato RSD4/5 trucks to put under it, from there on it’s just a matter of the details.
The proto SD9’s can be had on Ebay for usually around $50 and if worse comes to worse you could always go to Walthers for the cabs and hoods although it would be just about as easy and probably as cheap to find a pair of LH GP18’s…then you would have a pair of HH GP18’s or 20’s to resell or use for another project.
Mark
The problem with using SD9 bodies is that they are different than the SD18. The SD18 has a pair of 48" fans over the radiators, and the different battery box height under the cab. Using the SD24 shell fixes that issue, but now you have 3 radiator fans/blower bulge/turbo removal and some louver issues as well. What looks like a ‘quick & easy’ conversion gets quite complicated real fast…
Jim
Well, I’d have to check the fans to say anything correct there, but since when does an SD9 have a turbo-charger on it? As for the battery box that could be used off of the GP18/20…
Mark
Mark,
EMD raised the cab on the SD18 to make the battery box taller. This allowed then to stack the batteries ‘2 High’ in the battery box. This was also done to the SD24. The GP18 did not get this make-over. EMD re-did the GP’s starting with the GP30.
The SD18 has two radiator fans, and the SD24 has three. Using the SD24 shell gets you the correct carbody profile - You need to build a 2 fan radiator panel and remove the blower bulge & turbo. The SD7/9 models have four 36" radiator fans. Like I mentioned, this is not a real ‘easy’ proect to ‘do it right’!
Jim
So is what you are saying that it’s a bad idea, can’t be done, go cut the grass and forget about…correct?
Mark
Jim didn’t say it could not be done; he said it would not be a quick and easy kit bash. But the kit-basher has to define quick and easy from his perspective…
Jim Six did an article years ago to kitbash a SD18 but I can’t remember where it was published as MR has discontinued the Magazine Index. Although he was building the B&LE version and not the C&O version with the Alco Tri-Mount trucks.
Rick
Another thought is what is your purpose? A unique locomotive to run on your railroad? In that case, maybe the SD24 body modified only to remove the turbo bump, and with the tri-mount trucks might work. It’s you comfort level that decides.
But, if its for a contest or perhaps to sell, then it would need to be completely converted. Check out Mike Rose’s U18-B kit bashing article in MRH. Talk about kit bashing to the N-th degree.
Whatever…
Mark
Mark,It can be done to your modeling stlye…
You could use this article as a guide.
The May/June issue of N Scale Railroading magazine has a article on converting a SD24 to a C&O SD18.
Try going to Locomotive pictures They have photos of motive power and rolling stock. I used it to locate pictures of a specific locomotive I wanted to model.
Thanks to you and “brakie” both for your “positive” input, it is much appreciated…I’ll check these out.
Mark
My purpose is I like the look of the SD18, and yes they are unique units. I do not plan on making them contest or museum quality. As long as I 'am happy with th way they look I will be happy…So if the Atlas RSD4/5 power trucks will match up with theSD24 drive I’am going to give it a shot. Thank all of you for all you advise Later
One might be able to use the sill from an Atlas SD24 on a P2K SD9 to get the correct battery box. Might need the cab from an SD24 (wish they had sd26 cabs in stock)
For the fans you might be able to use a Plano GP38 fanhatch for alignment, but I’m not sure if anyone makes the correct fans other than using atlas SD24 fans. I’m thinking of doing this to model some of the late phase ex-GN SD9s.