OLD Atheran SD9, do they make a new shell to fit???

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have several old SD9’s. I sprayed the bodies flat black. It was over 25 years ago. Does anyone make a shell that will fit them? I don’t want to have to strip the paint off of them.

Thanks

2

Are you looking for a new shell with the prototypical width? If not, J&L Hobby & Trains has the originals. Scroll down to shells: http://pws.prserv.net/jltrain/athearn_parts.htm

14038200 UNDEC SD9 SHELL $11.75

Nelson

3

Here is another choice if you want a scale width hood. http://www.ppw-aline.com/bdrppsd7-9.htm

Jim

4

Didn’t Railpower Products sell their tooling to Athearn?

Andre

5

If they are the OLD Athearns with the big fat motors, the scale width shells won’t fit unless you remotor. That’s the original reason they were made too wide - to clear the motor. Once the newer motor was released, there was no reason to make them oversize, but they never bothered to cut new dies. New production after the new motor came out were made proper width, but the older models continued to be made with the extra-wide shells. If you have nothing but Athearn units it’s not noticeable, really. But put it next to a model with correct width hoods, like a P2K, and it’s real obvious. --Randy

6

Yes, but appearently PPW bought their stock of parts. As for black SD9s, just paint them in SP’s Black Widow scheme.

7

Andre,

It could have been a deal with RPP before the sale to Horizon. Or perhaps Horizon got the molds and PPW/A-Line got the shells and parts stock.

Years ago when I got my SD-9 shell it did not come with the air/fuel tanks shown in the picture so this must be a later model.

For those new to the hobby, RPP shells were very popular back in the day when Atlas, Kato and scale width Athearn were pretty much the only game in town. If you wanted a scale width GP 35 or SD 9, for example, you had to get the RPP shell.

Then P2K, the improved Bachmann, Stewart, and others came out with many new models. Atlas and Kato, in response to the newcomers also manufactured new models. No paint or decaling needed. This slowed the demand for the shells.

The purchase of RPP was a good way for Athearn to replace the older wide bodies without a substantial investment in molds.

Jim

8

I suspect we might see a new RTR SD9 from Athearn using the RPP shell…

I seriously doubt if Athearn has any SD9 shells…You best bet would be one of two things…Use the RPP SD shell or go with the P2K SD7/9 if you can find them.