Ok all you sparkies out there, here is the deal...... I want to model a BNSF yard on my N scale layout. Now, thats all fine and dandy, but I been doing my homework lately, and found out that BNSF uses a SD39 and a slug to match in Minnieapolis MN to do there switching from what i saw. I would like to know some specifications for the SD39 and the slug, and what, if any, existing loco's could i use to build an SD39 and a slug. I hope someone can help. SD40 [ 19 January 2002: Message edited by: sd40 ]
Here are some useful links on the EMD SD-39. These evidently came over from ATSF as I could find no BN SD-39's on the BN Roster page here http://archive.trainpix.com/BN/ROSTER.HTM ******* According to the BNSF roster here, slugs 3960-3977 are former ATSF 1101-1146. The same page shows that SD39's 6200-6219 are former ATSF 1556-1575. http://www.online-isp.com/~rcraig/BNSF.html ******* The EMD Operators Manual on the similar SD-40. The main spotting difference is that the SD-39 has two roof fans on the end of the long hood while the SD-40 has three fans. http://gelwood.railfan.net/manual/sd40-man.html ********* BNSF 6204 w/ Slug http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/december01/12-21-01/BNSF6204_2001-12-19_Fridley_MN_f.jpg ******** BNSF 6207 w/Slug http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/march01/03-26-01/BNSF6207_BNSF3973_Northtown_2001-03-25_FridleyMN-3457.jpg ******* Another shot of the same pair http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/july01/07-13-01/BNSF6207_2001-07-12_Fridley_MN.jpg ******* A third shot of this pair http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/july01/07-16-01/BNSF6207_2001-07-14_Fridley_MN.jpg ******** A detail shot of the Mother-Slug connection http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/july01/07-31-01/BNSF-MotherSlugConnections.jpg ******** Here is ATSF 1565 w/slug http://abpr.railfan.net/november98/11-12-98/atxsf1565billweibel.jpg ******** An ATSF slug photo here http://abpr.railfan.net/march99/03-22-99/atxsf-slug1billweibel.jpg ******** The SP SD39 info page here (SP 5303 was sold to Chrome Crankshaft and became ATSF Slug 1145) http://espee.railfan.net/spsd39.html ******** A computer rendering of the similar SD38 here http://paintshop.railfan.net/images/other/sd38.html ******** and another computer rendering of the SD38 http://paintshop.railfan.net/images/lytle/sd38.html ********* eNjoy Don B
If you can find one, Jim's Custom Shells makes an SD39 shell. If not, the Kato SD40 would be a good start for kitbashing. As for the slug, there was an article in the Sept '97 Mainline Modeler for kitbashiing it. Dwight
The mother/slug sets are SD38P's. The SD38P slug mother donor locos were from several sources with the locos used being split into 2 types. 6260-6263 were Frisco SD38-2's and as such didn't have many external mods made. 6264-6270 were rebuilt from SD35'sThese were rebuilt for this service by VMV with VMV using rebuilt VMV fleet SD35's from Southern (3), CSX (ex-L&N) (3), and a lone ex-Western Maryland unit. Modelling these would be an interesting proposition. For the SD35 rebuilds the best starting point would be a SD35 - the trucks and chassis are correct, as is the body. The radiator fans will need to be modified. For the ex-Frisco units a SD40-2 would probably be a better starting point. From memory, the SD38-2 and SD40-2 shared the same wheelbase. The radiator fans would have to be modified by removoving one and respacing the other two. I am certain there would be a few other details to attend to as well. The TEBC-6 is another kettle of fish. These were build from retired SD9's and have the hallmark SD9 sills. The trucks are the same as the SD9 (and SD35 for that matter). The surperstructure is a total rebuild so will need to be scratchbuilt. Starting point could be a Life-Like SD7/9. Due to the height of the body a motor cannot be used (unless you start playing with dropping it in the frame and using gears to lift the driveline from the lowered motor position). Stripping the LL unit is easy and it rolls fairly well. Most importantly it's far cheaper than an Atlas SD9. A search of the MR Magazine Index - http://www.index.mrmag.com/ - failed to find any information available from the magazines indexed there for any of the above units. Where to find the specifications maybe someone else knows. Images of these can be found at - SD38P - http://nietzsche.mit.edu/~auro/trains/photos/biel/BN/EMDRBLD/SD38P/INDEX.HTM TEBC-6 - http://nietzsche.mit.edu/~auro/trains/photos/biel/BN/EMDRBLD/TEBUC6/INDEX.HTM Hope this is of help. Gary. [ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: Gats ]
GATS Your post was informative, but......... BN 6264-6270 SD38P Mother BN 6289-6299 TEBUC6 Slug are not exactly what sd40 asked about....he asked about the BNSF SD39/Slug sets currently in use in the Minneapolis MN area. See my post above for details. You are correct, though, that BNSF still rosters the units you mentioned. I believe the SD38's are rated at 2000 hp while the SD39's are rated at 2300 hp. Here are some more shots of the BNSF slugs now in use with the SD39 mother units. BNSF 3972 http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/december01/12-21-01/BNSF6204_2001-12-19_Fridley_MN_d.jpg BNSF 3973 http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/july01/07-20-01/BNSF3973atMinneapolisMN3-16-98alSeever.jpg and another shot of BNSF 3973 with its mother unit http://www.railfan.net/railpix/ABPR/july01/07-21-01/BNSF3973atMinneapolisMN11-26-97alSeever.jpg BTW Slugs are especially useful in yard service where extra tractive effort is needed to get cars "over the hump". eNjoy
Sorry, Don, I wasn't aware that the 38's made way for the 39's in Northtown. I was working on memory of seeing the 38P and slugs' working the Northtown hump back in '97 and the Tennessee Yard hump in '99. Note the SD39 has six engine doors per side, not eight as per SD38/40's. So, in defence, I will fall back on my assertion that there is no BNSF and there is no modelling after '95! Gary.
Thanks for the help you two. I really apreciate it, and you have got me looking for stuff to model these pairs of units. But I dont have that issue of mainline modeler, so what do you propose I use for a start on the slug? Thanks, and I cant wait to get started. [ 23 January 2002: Message edited by: sd40 ]
That slug is fairly long. Unless you scratchbuild a chassis then add the body, you would need to start with a Kato SD40 or -2. OUCH! An expensive proposition. Off the top of my head - I'd have a crack at building your own chassis since you will be needing to build the body and it will be unpowered. The tank and trucks (use modified SD35 trucks) are easily gathered, and there is always the Gold Medal Models stanction kit for the handrails. You may also be able to track down a walkway from one of the above Katos (even a SD45) and modify it to suit, or look at the Atlas SD60 sill and rails. You would really be after the diamond tread pattern on the walking surfaces. Gary.
