RPP SD40 on a Spectrum Chasis?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Over the years I’ve picked up quite a few of the Rail Power Product SD40 bodies, but have only been able to get my hands on 1 of the chasis. I know that with minor tinkering the body will fit on the Athearn Blue Box SD45 chasis. I was wondering if anyone has used the Spectrum SD45 chasis sucessfully under the RPP body.

2

Have you looked at the detail of the Truck side frames on the Spectrum chassis???

Go with the Athearn.

3

SD45s have longer bodies than SD40s, so a Spectrum chassis would take quite a bit of modification to fit the RP shell. The only choice I can think of right now for a regular SD40 (not a -2) would be a custom built PPW chassis. Just expect it to take over a month to get the PPW chassis. I’ve been waiting since late December for my SD90 chassis, and they just finally shipped it on Monday. Hopefully, it will come Friday or Monday, and I’ll post pictures of the completed UP SD90MAC-H Phase I.[:D]

4

I believe Spectrum made the SD45, which was not a good seller for Spectrum.

An EMD SD45 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between December 1965 and December 1971. Power was provided by an EMD 645E3 20-cylinder engine which generated 3600 horsepower (2.7 MW).This locomotive shared the same common frame with the EMD SD38, EMD SD39, EMD SD40, and EMD SDP40.

5

The SD45 and SD40 share the same common frame in the prototype. However, the gear towers on the Bachmann/Spectrum SD45 may not clear the ends of the ‘shorter’ SD40 carbody. Look at the prototype; the SD40 carbody is shorter, leaving ‘porches’ on the ends. I would dump the old RPP SD40 bodies, and just buy the Athearn SD40(with a much improved RPP SD40 body on top).

Jim Bernier

6

Dave;

A few choices:

  • miling of the Athearn BB/RTR SD45 chassis - the Athearn shell is approximately 1/8" too wide, as is the chassis.
  • use the Athearn SD40 chassis
  • milling and possibly truck reversal using one of the Spectrum SD45 or P2K SD45 chassis
  • Kato SD40/45 chassis
  • PPW

Please note that there have been at least four very different Spectrum SD45 releases, the last two are very good (DCC ready, then DCC equipped), and the one just before that was quite good (not DCC ready, but not hard to convert). All three have better trucks than the Athearn BB had - I have not seen a RTR Athearn SD40 or SD45 so can not comment on the current trucks.

7

Thanks guys for all the input. While I know going with a Kato or the new Athearn is the obvious way to get a good looking SD40, I really don’t want to spend that much. Not sure I want to mill out an Athean BB either. I’ve got an opportunity to get a couple of the latest Spectrum 45 for about the same price as an RPP chassis (if I could find one) and the associated Athearn parts for power - so I guess I’ll give it a go and see how it works out.

It never ceases to amaze me how many responses to a call for help will pop up here within 24 hours of a question being posted. You guys rock.