Leaving N scale and moving to HO

Colonel Jan 27, 2013

  1. Dave Jones

    Dave Jones TrainBoard Supporter

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    While it appears that most (if not all) of the SD-38-2s were built for either hump or heavy duty drag freights. It might be convenient to remember that EMD (as well as the other builders) built units according to customer specs. The Mississippi Central bought 3 of the SD-28s which prior to sale to the Illinois Central did a whole lot of switching. These units were predecessors of the SD-38s. One mark of these lighter rail engines was typically a miniscule fuel tank (900 gals on the MC units if I remember rightly).

    And with the upgrades in rail weight and structure in the 70-80-90s wouldn't be surprised to see any size unit switching anywhere.
     
  2. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Somewhere in my memory cells I seem to remember a lightweight version being produced SD38L? Don't know if they looked any different.

    Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
     
  3. Dave Jones

    Dave Jones TrainBoard Supporter

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    Oops - my bad. Mississippi Central only bought two (not 3) of the SD-28s.
     
  4. YoHo

    YoHo TrainBoard Supporter

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    Maybe you're thinking of the Milwaukee SDL39s which had different trucks.
     
  5. Dave Jones

    Dave Jones TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes the SDL-39s not only had shortened 3-axle trucks they also had the 12 cylinder s/c 645 engine. And overall were shorter than the SD-38s. Bought to replace Milwaukee's fleet of RSC-2s.
     
  6. YoHo

    YoHo TrainBoard Supporter

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    Actually not supercharged, turbocharged. The 38 is "supercharged"
     
  7. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Turbocharged vs Supercharged

    Er...ah. What is the difference in turbocharged and supercharged for these diesel engines? Thanks.
     
  8. YoHo

    YoHo TrainBoard Supporter

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    All EMD engines (with the exception of the 265H engine) are 2 cycle diesels. They require forced induction to operate. Turbo'd EMD uses an overrunning clutch to convert from Super to Turbo. Wikipedia does a better job of explaining it than I could. It's generic, but could apply to EMD explicitly.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_diesel_engine
     
  9. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Head back to Kato in Shinjuku Japan tomorrow to pick up the Sd38 and maybe something else
     
  10. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It would be criminal not to buy something from the Kato store whilst you are there! [​IMG]
     
  11. montanan

    montanan TrainBoard Member

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    SDL 39.jpg
    The Milwaukee Road was the only railroad to purchase these units. Due to light rail, it would spread the weight of the locomotive on two more axles.
     
  12. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    ordered a Tsunami sound decoder for the SD38 will install next weekend
     
  13. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well not much action lately although I have almost finished the Kato SD38-2. Ordered some tank cars and a few other goodies. The N scale layout has now been removed from the house. Just waiting on moving houses early next year then I can start building.
     
  14. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just a waiting game now, until you can put your plans into action :)

    Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using tapatalk 4 beta
     
  15. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thought I would provide an update on my changing scales. I now have 5 locos for the 1980's period and have just purchased a Bachmann 0-6-2 for earlier time period. I have now split my car collection to modern era and steam era so I can have either a modern operating session or steam era.

    The question I have is what refrigerator cars can i purchase that were used in the 80's? does exactrail or other manufacturers have any on sale?
     
  16. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    1980's is right up my time frame. For refrigerators cars for the 1980's, there are some great choices:

    Intermountain PC&F R-70-20 57' mechanical reefers painted for PFE, SPFE, UPFE, BN, and other roads. Those were originally built in the 1969-1971 time frame but very much still in used during the 1980's and beyond. See Intermountain's website below and scroll down to the R-70-20 reefers:

    http://www.intermountain-railway.com/ho/horeefers.htm

    Red Caboose PC&F R-70-15 57' mechanical reefers painted for most of the above and more. Those were build during the mid-late 1960's and also still in use in the 80's. The link below you can scroll down to the 57' mechanical reefers.

    http://www.intermountain-railway.com/distrib/redcaboose/redcabooseho.html

    Athearn Genesis recently released the FGE 57' mechanical reefers that can still be found at some vendors. The FGE yellow, Solid Cold and green WFE were all 1980's paint scheems:

    http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=FGE+Reefer+ATHG&CatID=THRF&PageSize=72

    All of the above are really nice reefers with great detail. I picked up all my Intermountain reefers on sale for $21 or less at woo woo woo¤¤¤¤¤s while the SPFE version were still in stock, although the standard good discount price is around $26. The Red Caboose are a little more expensive but with a decent discount of around $30 if you look around. The Genesis FGE are very recent and for the non-sound version about $35 at a good discount. I just picked up one each of the yellow FGE and the cream colored Solid Cold.

    Athearn made less expensive versions of the Intermountain reefers above.

    Concor made less expensive versions of the Red Caboose reefers above.
     
  17. MarkInLA

    MarkInLA Permanently dispatched

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    I left N 10 years ago after 15 grueling years in N and I never looked back...HO and larger scales give you that 'heft' I think is part of the experience. N is great for 80 car trains for sure...But, they be juzz toooo small after a while, for me ..And smaller than this you're running worms not trains (sorry, you Z folks)....Hey, that's it ! Make a worm RR or subway using connected straws, some sliced in half to watch worms make their way around layout; other straws whole, depicting subway tunnels !! A worm farm instead of an ant farm...Hey ,wait ! That's it ! Ants in tun................Nah !
     
  18. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks guys, Jim I ordered some exact rail, and inter mountain and Athearn reefers. Thanks for your advice
     
  19. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry for the tread hijack but I would like some reefers for my early 70's layout, although these are very nice models 57' cars are just a bit too long, are there any 50' or smaller ones in service at that time?

    I do not mind if these are old models that need a total re detailing or if I need to kitbash one, not not keen on 57' cars on my tight curves/small industries.
     
  20. Petey

    Petey TrainBoard Member

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    Shorter Reefers

    I have a new 40' Armour Refrigerator Line, 1934 billboard car. A basic car, but nice cast detail. Ready for super detailing. If interested for, $8.00 (includes shpg.), send an P.M. email, but post here so I will be alerted to a Private email.
    Regards/
     

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