The Proto Power West custom built chassis I ordered for my SD90 finally came! I actually got it on Friday, but I’ve been a little sick for the past few days and didn’t feel good enough to post for a couple days. The chassis runs great! It’s very smooth, very quiet, and pretty heavy.[:D] The only problem is that it didn’t come with the proper HTCR II truck sideframes. Does anyone know if anyone makes the proper sideframes that will fit Athearn trucks?
Check Walthers catalog online. Smokey Valley makes the sideframes you are looking for. They are made to fit the Athearn dash-2 truck. try these part numbers…
676-145
676-146
Fred
Thanks for those links![:D] They’re exactly what I needed![:D] Once I get those and a set of NWSL 45" wheels, my SD90 will be complete![:-,][:)]
Gotta ask a question here. If you are still using Athearn trucks, what is the advantage of using the PPW chassis over the Rail Power chassis? Granted, I know you still need to get a motor, flywheels, and shafts if using the RPP, but it is only like $15 (or less). Add $40 for a motor, and $20 for trucks and shafts, you got $75, so is the PPW price close? I ask because I have a RPP SD90 in the barn right now and another on the way. They both need to be powered, so if the PPW chassis is a better deal than building up the RPP is, I would like to know it in advance. Thanks.
As for the sideframes, Train Station Products has them too. It is their part number 145 for the correct sideframes.
PPW uses the RPP frame.
The advantage is that it is all built up, tuned and with added wieght.
The PPW chassis uses the RPP frame, heavily tuned Athearn SD40 trucks, and their own motor, flywheels and motor cradle weight. I calculated the cost of getting all the parts separately, and it was actually cheaper to get the custom built chassis ($89). The PPW chassis run very, very well, and are quieter and more powerful than if you use un-tuned Athearn parts.
A Line’s website says each chassis comes with the proper truck sideframes, so I’m going to check with them first and see if mine was supposed to have HTCR II sideframes and not the older HTC sideframes for SD40s-60s. If it was, they’ll hopefully send them free of charge, and if not, then I guess I’ll just have to go and spend another $10 on this already expensive diesel.[:(]
Well, A Line said the HTCR sideframes had to be special ordered and don’t come standard with the chassis (which they really, really should mention on their website), so I just went ahead and spent the extra $ and bought them. Oh well…
I hear you there! I figure I have a little over $200 in my SD80MAC that started as a “cheap” RPP SD90 with chassis off E-Bay for under $20! Granted, I’m putting 2 NWSL motors in it plus a ton of extra weight, but it still seems like a ton of money! I could have done a little better on the cost of some of the details, but I don’t think I overspent that much. Good thing the wife doesn’t see what I spend on this stuff. She might quit her job!
Got any pics for us there Darth? [:D]
Not at the moment, but the sideframes should be coming soon, and then I’ll paint them and the frame, and then I’ll take some pictures of the finished engine.[:D]