Older Athearn SD45 will newer shells fit? even sd50 onwards?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hey all how’s it going? I have just bought an Athearn SD45 (dual flywheel 12 wheel drive) looks to be at least 15 years old, runs like a dream but the shell is cactus. I am wondering then will a newer shell of a similar loco fit straight on? I have been looking at sd50/60 shells and they look like they will fit but i’m wondering on the dimensions. the shell requires a hole for fitting before and after the fuel tanks.

Thanks guys.

P.S. it must be SF or UP or a blank even and I live in Australia. (I know its a long shot)

2

The SD45 chassis is to short to fit under an SD50 (the Sd50 used the same chassis that was under the SD40-2). The SD45 chassis was common to the SD38, SD39 and the SD40 (same chassis used under all 4 types).

Dan

3

I did come across this.

I went to switch out shells on my (very) Athearn older 45 with a newer shell and the fit is just a little off. This is because of a difference in the height of the coupler mounts. If you plan to cut them off ( I will eventually ) and put in others I don’t think there is anything else that can get caught. The holding pegs are in the same spot so everything should be ok.

You can tell immediatly if you will have this because the older Athearn engine looks different. No gold casing, just a black plastic case.

Dan

4

If you have the old Athearn motor the new shell may not fit over the motor. The Athearn SD45 shell had a wide “not to scale hood” because of the wide motor.

5

I have an SD45 made from a RailPower shell on a PPW chassis that is based on the Athearn SD45 chassis. It looks like they milled some material from the sides to make it possible to fit the scale-width shell.

Also, the ride height on this thing was too high. I ended up having to modify the trucks to lower the bolsters in order to make the walkways come out at the same level as my other EMD units.

6

Wow thanks for the quick reply’s, Loco looks great dacort I’m sure it runs as well as ii looks. *** thats not good news about the newer shells not fitting, I have a lead from my local hobby shop on a shell that will suit from a junk box in another hobby shop. I’ll let ya know how it goes, and I will probably need some help with making some handrails up for it.

7

Look for Smokey Valley Railroad Protucts for the hardrails. Their #42 kit.

8

Thanks, the loco in my sig is a Kato SD40. I don’t have any pics of my SD45 right now, but it’s also SP. Good luck with your project!