I’ve obtained two dummy gp-35s and I’m somewhat ready to start building the DD35. I’m referencing the only information I can find on modeling one which is on the “Espee” site. Although vague I was able to figure most of it out though I’m stuck on one part.
The truck tunnel on each chassis on both look to have been removed, then both chassis connected. This makes sense although I’m wondering if the truck tunnels that were cut out were re-attached at each end of the newly bonded chassis (because teh truck tunnels look pretty wide/long compared to the original)? Is there something I’m missing in the explanation…just couldn’t follow this section. If you just use the newly bonded chassis without adding the cut truck tunnels in, then the chassis is too short for the body by 2 inches or so…? Does anyone have any ideas…here’s the link, let me know what you think: http://espee.railfan.net/spdd35-m.html
I’m hoping if this project is successful to take lots of notes/pictures and post them on a newly formed website in the future.
It looks to me that the author uses an Athearn DD35 (or is that DD40?) chassis–not two GP35 chassis (chassi ?) spliced. He says he built new “tunnels” because the originals were too wide to fit inside Kato shells. I suppose one could file down the existing truck mounts, but I don’t have the various pieces handy to puzzle these things out.
So you’ll be needing two Kato GP35 shells, one Athearn DD35/40 (which Athearn doesn’t make anymore, but should be available used), and some “true grit”.
Or, you can do what I’m doing: Holding my breath until Athearn makes one–can’t be long now!
Using a dd40 shell, oh wow I didn’t even think of that! I do have a dummy DD40 I guess I can use the chassis though I love having two dd40s on my roster and I’d sure hate to part with one…maybe I can cast a copy of the dd40 frame or build something equivalent out of bar stock.
If you’re still planning on doing the B-unit like in the article, you’ll be needing two GP35 shells. If you use Athearn, they’ll probably be easier to use, but you’ll end up with a loco with the body being too wide (just as on the DD35/40). The author chose to use the Kato shells 'cause they’re the right width. It seems that if you’re going to go to all the trouble to kit-bash the loco, you’d want to end up with one with the proper body width.
The DD35 was basically just two GP35s on a common underframe and riding on the EMD four-axle trucks.
I don’t know when the article in question was written but it might be cheaper if you can pick up a couple of the Railpower Products (RPP) GP35 shells versus Kato parts. The RPP parts live on in Athearn’s recent releases of GP35s. So there are two potential Athearn GP35s - the 1960’s Athearn original with the hood that was at least a scale foot too wide, or the later Athearn releases that feature revised RPP shells that are scale width.
A friend started one of these years ago with the older Athearn hoods on a “DD40” frame. He mentioned that there was a weak area in the middle unless the plasic walkway was reinforced. By the way, idelayy you need TWO DD40 shells or you have to build your own front pilot. The Athearn model comes with a cab and the appropriate frame shape and steps, but a DD35 has both ends looking like the rear pilot of the Athearn shell.
Ed: I’m planning on using two Athearn geeps. I have a feeling that I will use some bar stock or whatever I’ve got and fabricate a dd40 frame. If the width is an issue, I can fabriate a wider frame. Again the article being pretty vague, I’ve got a lot of second guessing to do. I screwed up and accidently purchased n-scale dd40 trucks on Ebay when I need ho scale. If anyone wants to buy a couple of sets of Bachman dd40 trucks in n-scale…let me know.
Yup, I’ve built a couple of frames out of brass stock. You’re gonna have to decide what to do about the end steps. As binder001 pointed out, those steps are different than the ones that come on the GP35 shell. Besides the DD40 shell, I think you can also get them off the SDP40 shell.
These slave engines were impressive, too bad they’re not around anymore though it does speak for the ingenuity of the modern locomotive and how we’ve come a long way since then.
I have been building DD35B units for about 2 years. I post them on Ebay about every 5-6 months. Its an easy project but time consuming. I use 2 Athearn DD40 shells and 2 Athearn GP35 shells (the old style wide one) to fit the the DD40 walkway. I used the wide body GP35s so it would fit the DD40 walkway and frame. I have posted some pics on my website www.traincarhobbies.com of Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, and the EMD Demo locomotives. I hope that the pics posted will help you guys. If anyone has any questions let me know and I will try to answer them. packrat