I am currently building an SD90 Mac from a kit I bought some time ago. It seems that the power trucks for the Athearn SD40-2 are no longer available. Does anyone have any experience with using the new style SD70 trucks with the Railpower kit?
Thanks
You can still get the power trucks from A Line (http://ppw-aline.com/frrppsd90.htm). They say the trucks include the sideframes, but they mean SD40 sideframes, so you’ll have to get the proper SD90 sideframes separate. You may also want to get the proper 45" wheels from NWSL, which are available with standard width tread (0.110"), semi-scale (0.088"), and PROTO:87 (0.064" and smaller flanges). I also have one of the Rail Power SD90MAC kits, and it turned into a very nice model.[:D]
The SD70 power trucks from Athearn are a completely different design and won’t fit the Rail Power frame. The only option you have is Athearn’s SD40 trucks, which can be taken off of another Athearn diesel if you can’t get the trucks from A Line.
Thanks. I have ordered from A-Line before and forgot they had the trucks. I have everything else, including the wheelsets. I was going to use some old trucks (over 30 yets old) but they are just to beat up.
Yes they do make nice models, I am installing the QSI decoder now.
FYI: Smokey Valley makes brass stantions & hanrails (kit # 252). Some hoby shops have them in stock or you can order through the website: http://www.smokeyvalley.com/ You could also use the Kato SD90 handrail kit available from Kato for about $6.00.
I have clear resin number boards that can be lit, I also have frames with all the traction cables cast on, (one for one trade), if you’re interested PM me.
Here’s an SD80MAC built from the same kit, this is an early one I did with Athearn stantions and wire handrails and without the A-Line etched brass upgrade kit: