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Post by princessofthecape on Feb 18, 2014 21:28:43 GMT -8
On a note completely unrelated to my closet disaster (as detailed elsewhere), I'm going to begin building a small Milwaukee Road modular layout once I complete a pending move. I was originally planning on using one of the Athearn GP38-2s with the small fuel tanks as my road power (and may still), but after doing a bit of research, I've become enamored of the Milwaukee's nifty SDL39s. Obviously, no major manufacturer produces these obscure engines, but does anyone know if they're available in brass from anyone? Here's a picture of one in later years. I believe all the remaining examples have been shipped to Chile, so I suppose the chances of one being repatriated and preserved are slim. And in happier days:
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2014 21:36:16 GMT -8
Look for the Kaslo SDL39 kit. They require work, but you can still get at least two of the Kaslo models with sound for the price of one OMI.
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Post by princessofthecape on Feb 18, 2014 22:30:28 GMT -8
Look for the Kaslo SDL39 kit. They require work, but you can still get at least two of the Kaslo models with sound for the price of one OMI. I read there were a lot of performance problems with the Kaslos...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 8:40:37 GMT -8
Look for the Kaslo SDL39 kit. They require work, but you can still get at least two of the Kaslo models with sound for the price of one OMI. I read there were a lot of performance problems with the Kaslos... The drives with the LOK sound decoders are okay. It was the first batch that had problems. OMI's are rare and expensive. Plus in the end, the Kaslo LOK sound drive will probably run as well as the OMI. Factory painted OMI SDL39's are just shy of $700 and you still don't have DCC or sound.
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Post by Spikre on Feb 19, 2014 11:53:57 GMT -8
after You make an SDL39 or 2,consider making one or 2 of the RSC-2Ms as rebuilt by Alco with the DL style low noses. some interesting critters on the Grain Lines after the mid 60s. Spikre
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 19, 2014 12:22:09 GMT -8
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Post by nebrzephyr on Feb 19, 2014 12:26:08 GMT -8
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 19, 2014 12:29:19 GMT -8
Thanks nebzephyr!
Donnell
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Post by mlehman on Feb 19, 2014 14:51:24 GMT -8
I've got a Kaslo SDL39 I plan to start sometime soon. It was the first run and I never did get the corrected parts for the trucks, so contacted Kaslo. They don't stock them, but apparently have the molds and will get around to making you up some if you do find one of these kits for sale and those aren't included with it. There were some other parts included, which may simple have been part of the same master or something or may be additional corrected parts. I'll figure it out when I start it.
In any case, the major issue was clearance on the underside of the truck assembly. There was none or close to none. Theoretically, this could be fixed, but much better to use the corrected parts.
I'll also endorse OldMuley's site for some good info on this build. He is a member here.
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Post by onequiknova on Feb 19, 2014 15:47:52 GMT -8
I wish he was a little more clear on the truck conversion. Are all axles still powered? If so, how do the gears still mesh properly after sliding the axle toward the center?
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Post by bdhicks on Feb 19, 2014 18:05:29 GMT -8
There was an article in the Sept 2004 Model Railroader about kitbashing a SDL39. The build seemed like a bit too much effort for my taste, in part because it involved cutting down three-axle trucks and moving gears around so that all the axles still worked.
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Post by princessofthecape on Feb 19, 2014 20:34:35 GMT -8
There was an article in the Sept 2004 Model Railroader about kitbashing a SDL39. The build seemed like a bit too much effort for my taste, in part because it involved cutting down three-axle trucks and moving gears around so that all the axles still worked. Yeah, I actually have the issue right in front of me. And I think you're right - it's just too much work. I hold out some hope that with the era of 3D printing dawning, a lot of very obscure locomotives are going to become much cheaper to produce in small numbers.
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Post by oldmuley on Feb 20, 2014 17:25:59 GMT -8
When I first posted my Kaslo SDL39 experiences on my website, never did I think it would still be a "work in progress" so many years later! I still don't have to replacement frame back from my brother who was going to do some machining for me. Last time I asked him about it, he wasn't exactly sure where it was...
If I had more confidence in my modeling skills, I'd really give scratch building one a shot. There have been enough articles written over the years to give you plenty of direction for the project. Of course I still hold out hope that someday, someone will release a commercially available on in plastic.
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Post by oldmuley on Mar 30, 2014 15:58:08 GMT -8
I finally twisted my brothers arm and got my frame back from him that he was going to machine down for me. After a lot of cutting, filing and gluing, I've just about got it into shape! The new frame uses the best parts of a Kato mechanism. It's not 100% ready to go, but it is getting very close. I popped the body on just to see what it's going to look like when it's done.
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Post by mlehman on Mar 30, 2014 18:12:43 GMT -8
Looking good!
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Post by drolsen on Mar 31, 2014 3:41:49 GMT -8
Andrew Castle, who was a member of the old Atlas Forum and also wrote the Sept 2004 MR article that Brian referenced, did a pretty extensive kitbash/scratchbuild of a WC unit that he posted here: wc2scale.org/index.php/articles/9-locomotives/31-wc-586-sdl39Awesome modeling, and an alternative to the Kaslo kit, but probably a more extensive project than most people would want to attempt. Dave
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Post by nightmare0331 on Mar 31, 2014 6:41:33 GMT -8
That's one heck of a nice looking model oldmuley!
I built a few of the Kaslo GP10's and a SD40-2F back in the day and can appreciate how much time goes into those things.
I love how you chopped down the Kato trucks...are all of the axles still powered?
That's an interesting chop of a Kato C44-9W frame...about 80% is gone!
Thanks for sharing!
Kelley.
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Post by nightmare0331 on Mar 31, 2014 6:41:46 GMT -8
edit...doubletap...oops!
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Post by oldmuley on Apr 1, 2014 13:45:19 GMT -8
The modified trucks pick up power from all 6 axles, however only the innermost 4 are actually connected to the drive train. The outboard axles are just along for the ride. As for the frame, there were a couple of reasons I went with a C44-9w. First off, the spacing of the inboard and center axles are virtually the same between the C44-9W and the SDL39. There were other engines that would have worked as well; but that brings me to the second point- price. I searched eBay for any Kato engine that came up cheap, and I found a C44-9w that went for only $25 (the body was a mess). A Trainorama class 49 would have been a better choice, but those go for $300+, are super hard to find, and once you do find one for sale, they may not ship to the US.
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Post by mlehman on Apr 1, 2014 14:58:27 GMT -8
SNIP A Trainorama class 49 would have been a better choice, but those go for $300+, are super hard to find, and once you do find one for sale, they may not ship to the US. Hmmm, I wonder if a Class 48 chassis is close? I happen to have a spare around somewhere. I bought the loco with a K&M Engineering HOn3 chassis for power on my narrowgauge, so the standard gauge chassis that came with was surplus. Never thought it might be close to the SDL39???
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Post by Spikre on Apr 2, 2014 11:15:48 GMT -8
would Kato or Proto RSC-2 trucks be close to same wheelbase of the SDL39 Export trucks ? mounting new side frames would then be the final step to 6 axle power. Spikre
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Post by oldmuley on Apr 5, 2014 4:27:01 GMT -8
would Kato or Proto RSC-2 trucks be close to same wheelbase of the SDL39 Export trucks ? mounting new side frames would then be the final step to 6 axle power. Spikre I recall having this same conversation back on the Atlas Forum. You can read the full thread Here. The specifics from the tread were: I've been doing some research on alternative to the Kaslo drive/trucks for the SDL39 and found a few interesting things. Apparently the trucks on an BLI RSD15 and Atlas RSD 4/5 are close dimensionally for the SDL39's.
The axle spacing on the SDL39 is 6' 7.5" and 5' 6.5" which is about as short as a 3 axle truck gets. The next closest size appears to be the Alco RSD 15 at 6' 11" and 5' 7". The RSD 4/5 that I previously mentioned is 7' 1" and 5' 5".
Since I now have an RSD15, I got to compare them first hand. They are so darn close with regards to axle spacing that unless you're a super rivet counter, they would probably work as-is. Of course you'd need the side frames, but the trucks would work.
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Post by Spikre on Apr 5, 2014 11:34:38 GMT -8
MuleMan, one of those Alco Tri-Mounts is wrong,both should be 12'6" total. was thinking that the Export trucks were sort of even between axles like the Full size Flexi-Coils,thats intresting they arnt. the Alco RSC-3 truck may be a good one to use IF it was made in Plastic, but it hasnt been yet. same with a Correct Dofasco C truck. what about the Rapido GMD1 A-1-A trucks ? not sure what they measure out to. dont have any numbers here,but will get some later. there should be a close truck that just needs sideframes out there ? Spikre
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Post by princessofthecape on Apr 5, 2014 16:38:11 GMT -8
It would be nice if one of the major manufacturers would just make the silly thing. I mean, Walthers-Proto made the RS-27. There were a grand total of 27 of those locomotives manufactured ever, and they only served on four railroads. The SDL39 could be sold in Milwaukee, Soo, Wisconsin Central and (conceivably, though it would be a work of fiction) CP liveries. That's as broad an appeal as the RS-27s offered, and the last time I checked, Train World was sold out of all of them. It's such a unique, cool, quirky engine that I think there would be a lot of 'I don't model Milwaukee, but I want one of these' appeal.
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Post by roadkill on Apr 5, 2014 18:23:44 GMT -8
Hell, I model the EL and PC and I'd buy one!
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Post by oldmuley on Apr 5, 2014 18:24:08 GMT -8
It would be nice if one of the major manufacturers would just make the silly thing. I mean, Walthers-Proto made the RS-27. There were a grand total of 27 of those locomotives manufactured ever, and they only served on four railroads. The SDL39 could be sold in Milwaukee, Soo, Wisconsin Central and (conceivably, though it would be a work of fiction) CP liveries. That's as broad an appeal as the RS-27s offered, and the last time I checked, Train World was sold out of all of them. It's such a unique, cool, quirky engine that I think there would be a lot of 'I don't model Milwaukee, but I want one of these' appeal. My thoughts exactly! After all, Athearn did the U50 and only 26 of them were made with only the UP and SP ever rostering them.
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Post by mlehman on Apr 5, 2014 21:08:22 GMT -8
There's also the international appeal of the SDL39, given most later migrated south to Chile. trainspo.com/model/206/
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Post by Tower CK on Apr 5, 2014 23:25:22 GMT -8
Let it be known that just prior to the SDL-39's going to Wisconsin Central, the Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern tried them out for a little while. I might have a Kodachrome of them running through my old hometown; Albert Lea, Minn. I briefly saw them on the Waseca, Minn. to Mason City, Iowa turn. DM&E tried a number of different units in its early start-up years, including GTW geeps. TW "The SDL39 could be sold in Milwaukee, Soo, Wisconsin Central and (conceivably, though it would be a work of fiction) CP liveries."
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Post by princessofthecape on Apr 6, 2014 1:20:38 GMT -8
There's also the international appeal of the SDL39, given most later migrated south to Chile. trainspo.com/model/206/If I was rich, I would buy one and repatriate it.
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Post by Spikre on Apr 8, 2014 8:39:06 GMT -8
RS-27s: for 27 units they sure got around,with the PRR fleet staying on the eastern lines for PC and CR. DL-640-1 - DL640-5 Demoed for about 15 months,at least twice on NYC,EL,and B&O. the C&NW units were Alco leasers used on LV and other roads before some ended up on GB&W. the Soo units stayed mostly in the Twin Cities area as the "Dolly Sisters". the Demos went mostly to U.P.,then later to MLW as lease units,think 2 went Devco Railway,not sure of the last 1 ? one scrapped by U.P.after a wreck. Alco 640-1 was scrapped and provided parts for PRRs only C424 #2415. sure there was other uses,but will leave them for now. but for 27 units they led an interesting Service life. will look up the trucks later,but the Dofasco at 11'2" total length, and 5'7" x5'7" would be close with new sideframes. but no correct Plastic Dofasco Hi-Ad yet. Muleman, if the Export trucks are 12'2" Overall,how close do You really need to be ?? Spikre
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