Got the handrails and grab irons back on these SD9 over the last few days. Got the train line hoses and more details to go gotta try and figure out what kind of roof top beacons these were. I cant find anything close in HO scale. I might just go without them till I can find or scratch build them. Now to dull coat them a bit and start weathering these old war horses. Still a ways to go but we are getting there. Thanks for looking.
Fantastic job on the D&RGW SD--9's I caught the 5305 at Helper Utah and took the photo from the "Rio Grande Zephyr" in May of 1974
Thanks guys for the input and comments! Here are a few shots of them recently, working the hump and east end of the main yard. Thanks for looking
Thanks for sharing this. Some amazing photos. I have been wanting to do this project myself. I might use a Big Dawg cab or use an Atlas SD24 cab and put in the correct windows using Cannon parts. I haven't decided. Too bad the 5305 has long been cut up for scrap. I would have liked to see it saved.
Freaking awesome. About the only way I could like your RR better is if you back dated to the late 70's - early 1980's period when WP was still independent as a connection and tons of fallen flat rolling stock abounded. Moloco has been really supplying the box cars lately for that! ;-)
Very nice units. I know this is an older post and if your still here. What were the mods to the Athearn chassis's to get the proto shells to fit. I ask as i'll be doing several sd7/9 units inthe not so distant future. They both turned out great.
Hi Vince Being as the Athearn frame was made to fit the older (Wide Body) shell you will need to remove metal to narrow the bolsters and any other components that interfere with the P2K shell. If you have a mill or access to one it wouldn't be too much. Doing this with a file will take you some time but it can be done. I went looking thru my build photos and I didnt take a single picture of that part of the build. But here are a few images of another Athearn/P2K SD9 project, that had been in a box for years waiting for me to finish it. Hope this helps.
I hadn't seen this thread before, but it kind of gave me mixed feelings. Really liked the engines in their fresh, clean paint. They were very well done and the Rio Grande livery really pops. Almost a shame to weather them, but as a couple of workworn units on your layout, they look plain awesome too.
