Just wondering how hard it would be for Kato to make a standard cab SD70? They can use the SD70MAC mechanism couldn't they? Does there have to be dozens of roadnames to do this? Is anybody interested in a SD70 standard cab besides me? I did see the Steve4Painting IC that looked great but would like a RTR! dave t
I built one out of an Athearn SD70M. I would have preffered Kato but I received the Athearn as a gift. I used an Atlas SD60 cab and had to perform several small modifications but its something the average modeler can do. I did mine in NS but they are also in Conrail IC and CN paint that I know of. Jeff
I personally would like to see a SD70 spartan cab. The only roads to buy the SD70 (std) are Conrail, NS, and IC with some exported to Peru. quoting Robbman from a few years back: The cab on a SD70MAC is an isolated cab just like the 80MAC ( which, BTW, on the 80MAC and 70MAC models, makes it easier to do different variations in the headlight and numberboards ) A SD70 has a standard EMD cab a la SD60. The SD70M has a non-isolated cab that has a few variations Also the SD70MAC that Kato is doing should more aptly be called a Phase 2 SD70MAC, as is uses HTCR II trucks with 45" wheels ( a la the SD80MAC ) and has the aforementioned isolated cab. SD70's use a HTCR truck with 42" wheels. The sideframe is also a little bit different than a HTCR II SD70/70M/75M/75I are all 46" 0.7" bolster centers ( note that EMD went metric from this series on ( finally ) thus the odd Imperial measurement... They are all 68' 2" pilot to pilot, and 72' 4" over couplers.
Well I would really love for Kato to come out with the Spartan cab SD70's using whatever the right drive is to power this. These are what I miss in my existing modern layout of the NS. I have several custom Dash 9 C-40W units now as well as a ton of the SD70M's. It would be so much better if Kato would do the SD70 standard cab. It is about the only locomotive I am missing from my NS roster. N&W, is this the Athearn SD70 in your photo? The local shops never have east coast roads on the shelves, so I have not seen them yet.
no, the mechanism is the same, just the trucks are different (even the AC4400 uses the same mechanism)
Steve, Kato show 2 different part numbers for the 70M and the 70Mac, I think the chassis is longer for the Mac. Bob.
there is a revised SD70M (SD70M (2009 and onward) Revised Edition) which seems to have the same screw less drive as the SD70ACe, I wasn't aware of that - I was refering to the old version drive with screws, they are interchangeable between SD70MAC, SD70M (original, old version, different part # for the spare drive than SD70MAC) and AC4400CW, believe me, been there, done that, bought the T-shirt... ...the SD70MAC is longer but the chassis/drive is the same, the lenght difference is done with the trucks, the gear tower on the SD70M (old version) is centered, on the SD70MAC it is offset to one side
Steve, Your IC units are very inspiring and awesome! I think the Mac's are easier to find then the standard SD70M's. I want to do some IC units myself! dave t
Dave, sorry for all the confusion I caused with my answer, now I understand your question why you did ask if the chassis are the same. you can't use a MAC to build a SD70, different shell (longer), different trucks, different underframe... ...start with a SD70M
Steve, Was it easier to use a 40-2 cab versus a 50/60 cab? What BLMA parts did you use? I am seeing on Katos website undec SD70M shells. The SD70m flared are pretty much everywhere. dave t
Dave, if you start with the Athearn one you can use the Atlas SD50/60 nose and cab, if you start with the Kato one you have to use the Kato SD40-2 nose and cab because the Kato drives are slightly wider than the Atlas ones (if you use an Atlas SD50/60 nose and cab you have to do a lot of filing and grinding on the drive and shell parts to make it fit)... ...I did start with a NS SD70M and a undecorated SD70M shell from the Kato spare parts departement plus UP SD40-2 shells for mine http://www.steve4painting.com/icsd70.html
Steve, Do you know if the new flared SD70M mech is compatible with on older non-flared SD70M shell - wondering if it can be used for a non-flared UP SD70M.... I have a non-flared shell, but the mech's are getting scarce.
