Has anyone built a Kaslo SD40-2F kit? ? I'm thinking about buying one, but I don't have a lot of experience with kits. How difficult is it, and how comprehensive are the instructions? Thanks guys!
The N Scale Railroading SEP/OCT 2015 issue has an article on building Kaslo's CN SD60F by Karl Andraschko. This does show super detailing this engine. Hope this helps. Dan
Kaslo kits are definitely not for the inexperienced. That being said, the instructions tend to be ok, so with patience you can achieve good results. Presumably the SD40-2F uses a Kato chassis (I only have SD60Fs and F59PHs). Based on my experience with the SD60F kits you may find a need to modify the chassis (or thin the bodyshell) to get it to fit properly. In the case of the F59PH I found I had to use a totally different chassis than the one the instructions suggest (which will not fit). Adrian
I have built a Kaslo sd40-2f kit. Like said above if is not a slam dunk to build. I did use a Kato sd40-2 snoot engine, but the shell and the engine needed to be shaved a bit and had to modify the build. A regular sd40-2 would have been better. The instructions are not too detailed, but you can figure out what to do. I still have not painted mine, but I hope to eventually. I almost bought another kit at the last train show $10, but I didn't think i would have the proper time to dedicate to the build to make it better than the first one. Red Barns are one of my favorite engines of all time. I've seen many people do excellent jobs with these kits and make great looking engines. I'm just not as skilled or lucky. Maybe both Good Luck
I've built a few of the Kaslo kits. The SD40-2F and the SD60F go together the same way, you just build them on different chassis. The NSR article will cover you for both.
i built several of these kits with 15 more waiting. definitely not for beginners. they're quite tricky and require a lot of work. as far as i know they're no longer available. i bought all remaining kits and parts some years ago...
Kaslo did another run of one of them last year (40-2F IIRC). The 50s were still available but the 60 sold out right after that article ran.
Can't comment on the N scale ones too much, but in order to get the HO scale ones looking decent is a labor of love as they needed aloooot of work... Enjoy! Kelley. www.dufordmodelworks.com