I have an Athearn SD40-2 that is going to be fitted with a sound system. To do this the way I want, I need to 'daylight' the two fans above the dynamic brake system. The easiest way to do this (probably) is to cut out what is there and replace it with proper fans (meaning with blades separated by air). To that end, can anyone tell me of a supplier for said fans? And better yet, a part number? One proviso is that they will need to be in or will ship to the UK. Other suggestions for the job might also be considered, but bear in mind that I already have the speaker and it is just made to go there
<font color="336633">Mike for replacement fans I used train station products ones, I am not sure if you can still get these, but i ordered mine from MG Sharps, I cant remember the part number until i go into the workshop tomorrow.</font>
Thanks Matthew. On the strength of that I did a Google search for "train station products", and Internet Trains came up near the top with their fans in stock - they look just the job. Walther's also appeared in the list, so it looks like their parts are still available. However, the size/application choices listed don't obviously fit what I thought I have. I'll have to measure up first. Then I'll give MGS a call to see what they have.
<font color="336633">Hmmmm I wouldnt bank on them having them in stock..... they never seem to have the parts I want in </font>
Yeah. They only list a couple of detail makers on their website and TSP isn't one of them. I don't mind ordering from the US (might help prop their stockmarket up ) One thing. I need the 48" fans, and I suppose I ought to change all 5 to keep the looks consistent (3 Rad, 2 DB). But it isn't clear whether the part is just one or a pair of fans. All the suppliers show the same picture which shows a mounted pair, but the description is singular. For the 54" the picture is singular. Do you happen to know the actual on this?
The 48" fans made by TSP are the low-shroud type that are appropriate for use on the dynamic brakes of most contemporary EMDs; the high-shroud types are normally used on the radiators. The only high-types that are currently available are the ones made by PSC.
Thanks Paul. Why do I feel this deep chasm opening up under my feet? I hadn't noticed that feature, so I just had a closer look. The difference on the Athearn is 1/2 mm (2 mm high for the DB fans, 2.5 for the rads) but the radiator ones also have more of a 'shoulder' round the base. Not a big difference, but now I know it exists I'll be rivet counting myself if I remove it Are the PSC (Precision Scale Co I presume) fans 'see thru'? (remembering the main purpose of this exercise is to get sound through them). Walther's web site lists them and these 2 look likely candidates: #3965, Fan EMD 48" l/guard br 2/ #3931, Fan EMD 48" dynamic br 4/ The 'l/guard' would presumably be the one for the radiators. There is also a w/guard (wire guard?) listed, but from the various pictures the l/guard looks like the correct style grille. I assume br is brass; they also list pl (plastic?). Is the 2/ and 4/ the pack quantity? Can't find a key anywhere in Walther's. And while I'm here, wot are the 'Q fans' I keep seeing mentioned, but never with a picture nearby ? Sorry about all the dumb questions, but this seems to be one of those "one thing leads to another" subjects.
The PSC fans are see through, but they aren't quite as clean and sharp as the DA/TSP ones. They can be had in either brass or plastic; stick with the brass ones, since the plastic ones I've gotten from them were made from that unpaintable delrin. They come in packs of two. Another alternative is to use the solid radiator fans made by DA, and ream them out for etched stainless steel fan grills made by Plano Model Products. A bit more work, and a bit more delicate, but looks good. The Q-Fan you were wondering about is a late-model fan housing EMD introduced in 1980, in order to comply with Federal locomotive noise emissions standards. The housing itself is a bit lower, and the grill is more domed, with a large, riveted hub in the center. The fan blade pattern is totally different, as well. It was standard equipment on EMD's from the GP/SD50 onward, and could also be found on late-model GP/SD 38-2/39-2/40-2 series units (anything built 1980 or later). The GP40X was also equipped with an early, sligthly different version of the Q-Fan. I'll try to dig up a shot of one....
<font color="336633">I have some of these I never used, you can have them at a good price if you want them, email me if your intrested</font>
