How well do you like cast resin shells? I know that some much wanted diesels are only available this way and I just wanted to get your perspective on them. I was really interested in the JnJ SD45T-2 (that shold have been out already) to run with Kato SP SD40/45s and Atlas SD50s (soon to be releases in SP "Speed Lettering"!) Are they clean castings? Good detail? A lot of work? One other thing. I've seen people mate SD40T-2 resin shells to Kato SD40-2 chassis, but what do you think about mating the SD45T-2 to an Altas SD50/60 Chassis?
I can't speak to the projects you have in mind, but I have purchased two JnJ FT shell sets. The quality is certainly not Kato or Atlas but, they are quite acceptable and with a little detailing, they look quite good. One pair of FT's I made into "dummies" using modified Bachmann F9 dummy chassis'. The other pair I powered (only the A unit) using a modified LL FA2 chassis. I am happy with the results. They provided me with locos hithertofore only available in brass.
P.S. I noticed I didn't actually address some of your questions. The JnJ castings were good, perhaps a little heavy. Cleaning up was no problem.... cleaning up windows and smoothing edges with fine sandpaper. I have done others by other manufacturers... Shark shells and Erie-built shells. Some came with ladders molded on, others didn't. Again, with most I have done, cleaning is minimum and with proper detailing (and chassis fitting), a good model can be had.
From what I understand, the JnJ SD45T-2 is intended to ride on the Atlas SD50/60 series chassis. This chassis would be the most appropriate to both tunnel motor types as far as wheelbase goes. You may have seen my SD40T-2 project using a Wolfworks shell. This one was made to fit onto a Kato SD40-2 chassis, which is actually a bit too short in the wheelbase but is easier to adapt because the front "porch" was already considered in the frame design. I think there would be a lot of frame modifications required to adapt an SD50/60 frame for this SD40T-2 shell, unless you make it a snoot. The SD45T-2 does not have the porch, so the SD50/60 frame would work better. BTW, I've seen photos of the JnJ master model and it looks great! You can check out the Wolworks project at http://community.webshots.com/user/rkrasmussen Russ [ 06 April 2002, 22:12: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
Nice tunnel motor, what do you think you are going to paint it? Rio Grande maybe. Whatever it is i would like to see the finished product.
Thanks! It will be an ex-DRGW unit painted into SP colors with "speed" lettering. "DRGW" will appear in small letters below the cab numbers. DRGW had the only SD40T-2s with the brake levers instead of brake wheels, and that also lacked the front anticlimber. This model most closley represents that batch but I prefer SP colors. I really did not want to take on changing the nose or the anticlimbers, so an ex-DRGW repaint it is! Russ
