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Post by SantaFeSammy on Aug 3, 2015 5:49:11 GMT -8
Here’s a pretty simple build I recently completed - 3 of the Kato SD40-2 “Mid” units that have been painted to fit into my 1995 era ATSF roster. The only real major changes to these was cutting out off of the molded on fans and switching over to Cannon fans. On the 5142, the dynamic brake housing was swapped out for a later model extended range housing, Q fans were added and a toilet hatch was added to the top of the nose. Other than that, a very straight forward build that added 3 more extremely nice running locomotives to my roster. These will be able to run on anything from locals and road switchers to hotshot intermodal trains – just like they were really assigned back in 1995. Before:  After:  Weathered and done:  Roster shots:    A few more pics can be found here: www.pbase.com/sammy1974/sd402s. |
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 3, 2015 6:04:09 GMT -8
Great!! I have to agree, 1995 was a really good year for the Santa Fe!
Thanks for sharing.
Larry
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Post by nebrzephyr on Aug 3, 2015 6:10:55 GMT -8
Sammy......fantastic looking trio!!! Thanks for sharing.
Bob
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Post by valenciajim on Aug 3, 2015 6:37:51 GMT -8
Fantastic--great to see you on this forum.
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 3, 2015 7:16:06 GMT -8
Nice
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Post by TBird1958 on Aug 3, 2015 8:32:57 GMT -8
Very Sharp looking units! Great work, I especially like the subtle variation in detail and weathering, thanks for sharing.
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Post by Spikre on Aug 3, 2015 8:56:19 GMT -8
 Sammy, really nice Kato units !! would think those crying for a "Better" SD40-2 could follow Your work and be Happy !! Spikre 
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Post by riogrande on Aug 3, 2015 9:17:49 GMT -8
Sammy, very sharp! Thanks for sharing!
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Post by SantaFeSammy on Aug 3, 2015 10:29:47 GMT -8
Thanks all for the compliments! Although the Athearn SD40-2’s certainly look nice, I’ve never had much luck with consistency in their running characteristics. I can’t comment on BLI or Intermountain SD40-2s since I’ve never owned any of either. I have looked both over closely and they both have their warts. I have an operations oriented layout and it’s my opinion that operating performance trumps looks the majority of the time since after the first 10 minutes, it seems the crews no longer focus on or care what stuff looks like - Basically, like real railroaders do. As long as the power works and the AC blows a little bit of cool air, their griping is somewhat held in check. Those are the reasons I chose these Kato units as a starting point for my “top shelf” SD40-2’s for my roster. I’ve already got 2 of the older Kato SD40-2’s and one of the newer ones that I’ve added / altered details and painted. I’ve also used the older Kato chassis and drive trains for my three SD45-2’s and those run really nice also. However, since I’ve also always wanted a better SD40-2, I did want to go one step further with these 3 and add the Cannon fans and other different roof top details. Aside from the fans and the see through exhaust stacks, all I did was add lift rings to the roof and added free standing antennas and conduit to the cab roofs to replace the ones that were cast on. I also added A-Line brass sunshades on all 3 and changed the air conditioners on two out of the three – to match the AC’s from the photos I had that were taken in 1995. Oh, and I replaced that pathetic factory Kato snow plow on all three of them also. Everything else is basically factory Kato. They may not be the best looking girls at the dance, I think they make some pretty darn good lookin’ models.  |
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Post by tankcarsrule on Aug 3, 2015 10:50:00 GMT -8
Outstanding builds, they look beautiful!
Regards, Bobby
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