11/28/07
| CONRAIL BEASTS! Modeling Conrail's ex-EL SD45-2 & SDP45 |
Before I start this article, I want to give credit to Andy Harman. He supplied me with a lot of information on the
SDP45, his article and prototype photos of the SP SDP45 he shot in Tehachapi which is physically unchanged
from what an EL SDP45 would look like. I also want to give thanks to Warren Calloway for supplying me with a
number of roster photos. Two of which are seen above. I also want to give a big thank you to Mike Roberts for
supplying me with a bunch of SDP45 detail photos.
For this article I'll be modeling one SD45-2 and one SDP45. I'll probably model more later, but after this article.
Both of these models will be CR/ EL paint outs. The SD45-2 I am modeling is pictured HERE. I will also be
modeling the ex Penn Central SD45 in the photo. I am not particularly a big Conrail fan, but these two
locomotives are just huge and I could not pass up the opportunity to model them. I was originally going to build
an SD40A, but after seeing Andy's SDP45 for the first time at the '06 Naperville RPM meet, my decision started to
wane on the SD40A in favor of the SDP45. I'll probably follow Andy's article closely, but apply my own modeling
techniques. The SD45-2's will be standard Athearn Genesis models with my detailing touch added to them. Yes,
the frames will get a complete detailing job. The SDP45 will be a kitbash using the Athearn SD45 frame spliced,
P2K hood modified and a custom scratch built deck using Railflyer pilot plates, step sets, blower duct that I will
need to modify and some of my own custom etched parts. Of course there will also be PLENTY of Cannon & Co.
parts throughout this kitbash. I'll also probably end up having my fuel tank custom cut to fit exactly what I need.
While I am on this subject, I want to add here that in my opinion the Athearn SD45-2 is the best model produced
to date by any manufacturer. Everything about it is just perfect to me. Even the frame is done nicely. Amazingly
also, the narrowest part of the frame is actually prototype width from the inside of the I-beam to inside of
I-beam! I found this out when I trued up the frame for detailing. My hat is off to Athearn for a splendid job on the
SD45-2.
I know this is going to be a really fun build because these are big locomotives. I really look forward to making
the SDP45 come to life and putting my special touch to the SD45-2.
Time to get busy cutting frames which is my usual starting point.
SDP45, his article and prototype photos of the SP SDP45 he shot in Tehachapi which is physically unchanged
from what an EL SDP45 would look like. I also want to give thanks to Warren Calloway for supplying me with a
number of roster photos. Two of which are seen above. I also want to give a big thank you to Mike Roberts for
supplying me with a bunch of SDP45 detail photos.
For this article I'll be modeling one SD45-2 and one SDP45. I'll probably model more later, but after this article.
Both of these models will be CR/ EL paint outs. The SD45-2 I am modeling is pictured HERE. I will also be
modeling the ex Penn Central SD45 in the photo. I am not particularly a big Conrail fan, but these two
locomotives are just huge and I could not pass up the opportunity to model them. I was originally going to build
an SD40A, but after seeing Andy's SDP45 for the first time at the '06 Naperville RPM meet, my decision started to
wane on the SD40A in favor of the SDP45. I'll probably follow Andy's article closely, but apply my own modeling
techniques. The SD45-2's will be standard Athearn Genesis models with my detailing touch added to them. Yes,
the frames will get a complete detailing job. The SDP45 will be a kitbash using the Athearn SD45 frame spliced,
P2K hood modified and a custom scratch built deck using Railflyer pilot plates, step sets, blower duct that I will
need to modify and some of my own custom etched parts. Of course there will also be PLENTY of Cannon & Co.
parts throughout this kitbash. I'll also probably end up having my fuel tank custom cut to fit exactly what I need.
While I am on this subject, I want to add here that in my opinion the Athearn SD45-2 is the best model produced
to date by any manufacturer. Everything about it is just perfect to me. Even the frame is done nicely. Amazingly
also, the narrowest part of the frame is actually prototype width from the inside of the I-beam to inside of
I-beam! I found this out when I trued up the frame for detailing. My hat is off to Athearn for a splendid job on the
SD45-2.
I know this is going to be a really fun build because these are big locomotives. I really look forward to making
the SDP45 come to life and putting my special touch to the SD45-2.
Time to get busy cutting frames which is my usual starting point.