I think it is about time I post my progress on my New Locomotive kit bashing Project; the SDL39. Yes I do know Kaslo Shops Made a Resin Kit SDL39. But I figured this would help in my Kit bashing skills.
For a little History, the SDL39 was a Light Weight Road Switcher that MILW ordered to work on there lightweight branch lines. This model is very unique as it is a tad bit shorter than a GP38, but had SD type trucks (Light Weight Felix Coil Trucks). Milwaukee Road bought 10 of these units, 5 in 1969 (581-585) and 5 more in 1972 (587-590). The 581 had gotten wrecked on the Milwaukee Road before she could be repaired. On the Soo Line These units spent most of there life in Storage. Wisconsin Central bought 4 of these units in 1987, and not long after bought the other 5. The Wisconsin Central used these units much in the Way the Milwaukee Road did, but could be found roaming all over the system. After the Canadian National Take over All 9 of these units got sold to FEPASA in Chile and all 9 can still be found working there now.
WC 587 would be the SDL I would model. I really liked the weathering on this unit. As you can see the MILW orange and black is fading through. By the DB splice you can see the “587” from the Milwaukee Road Days.
After looking at the SDL39 drawings (Not very closely) I printed off, I found an Area where the hood doors matched. (At the time I thought they Matched) I Took a Miter Saw, and Miter Box cut down the Middle. This is the first Cut.
After that, I cut down the Long Hood. I was very pleased about the cuts.
Later I realized that the battery Box didn’t Match. So I cut that off, and stole a part of a SD45 to complete it.
About this time I picked up a SDL39 Kit Bashing Article. I realized that the Hood doors did not match the GP38s. The Kith basher, Andrew Castle, had just used the GP38 frame. A Few days later I picked up the Cannon and Co Parts I had ordered, lucky I didn’t order any wrong parts. I also ordered some more Parts.
Now it was time I cut the rest of the GP38 off. I first cut the Nose and Cab Sub Base Off.
I Then Cut off the rest of the Long Hood.
I Then Cleaned the Frame up with an X-Acto Knife and a File.
This is where I am at right now. Tomorrow I will cut the SD45 and GP38 frames down to Size. I will also start making the Long Hood Templates.
Hat’s off to you - you’re more ambitious that I. Personally, I’m fudging substituting a pair of former MILW Proto 2000 GP38-2s as is, but banditized as was done by the SOO to former MILW units following the merger in '85.
I expect my WC 350 and 352 to look similar to this SDL39’s paint scheme:
Eh, a little Free lacing never hurts any one. I think you GP38s would fit more with the 87-91 era, along with 6677, as I think the last SDL was painted some where around 91ish. But hey, maybe WC bought a few Bandit GP38s from CP in the Mid 90s.
I’m modeling around 1995, that is when the WC had the most color. FVW, CNW, SOO, ACR, GBW, BN (A few SD45s survived in the BN Green Wennie Scheme by 95, 6660 was the last one to be repainted), ATSF (Both Blue Bonnet and War Bonnet), SOU, WC V strip scheme, ect. I would like half of my roster to be patched units.
Hey, nice to know somebody read my article on building the SDL39. If you have any questions on how I built WC 586 just ask. I hope your model turns out well.
Great! Nice to actually talk to the guy who built the SDL! The only question I have right now is; how much did you chop off the GP38 frame? And how long is the SDL39?
I am actually working overseas for the next few weeks and all of my notes and stuff are somewhere at home. I know the SDL39 is shorter than the GP38-2, can’t remember how much. If you can wait three weeks I will see what I can dig up for you.
Looks like an interesting project. In the prototype photo I noticed that there is a GM switcher behind the SDL39. Do you plan to model any WC GM switchers?
Well I took on one of the most Important Projects of the SDL39, the light weight flexi coil trucks. The bulk of the work is done, I just need to add a few more details.
Aloco, I most likely won’t be making a WC SW1200. Talk to my friend graphitehemi, he painted two.
Today I finished the Conductors Side Long hood template. This is just a plan piece of stryene cut to fit the SDL. I still need to work on the Engineers Side Template.
Keep up the good work bud! One day I hope to make myself an SDL39.
[:-^]
I only did one so far, the other is set aside waiting for the first one to be finished… which reminds me… I still need to get some handrails made for 1230. [banghead]
Good thing you are building up your roster. I may buy a ATSF FP45, and patch that, but I would like to have the superfleet scheme to make the patching easier.
