Does anyone know on the newest rtr athearn

[blues90]

SD40-2 HO scale since they re-designed the shell did they make the bolster to bolster length longer more like the prototype ? The older late bllue/yellow box they just changed the frame and shell to coupler mount or is this just done this way to be able to make the 22" curves meaning the wheel base bolster spacing?

 

[kjd]

Bolster postion and steps are still not right on the ATSF one I picked up a couple months ago.

 

[blues90]

Bolster postion and steps are still not right on the ATSF one I picked up a couple months ago.

I thought that may be the case.
I was looking through a search and came across an older posting that was on by you and EL3637 on TO forum back in about 2009 talking about railpower SD40 shells and making a SD40 highhood for NW . I have a SD40 railpower shell and frame but looking at your model you seemed to have changed a lot of details on the shell unless railpower upgraded their detail on their shells later on because my shell is from when railpower first came out that shell and frame and even that frame the bolster spacing is 38' when it should be 43'6" from what I could find. They used the same frame for the SD45 and SD38 and they are supposed to be 40'. I suppose they do this because it's close and also so the loco's can make the 18" HO curves and the 22" curves.

 

[kjd]

I made a SD45 frame from a shortened SD40-2 frame. I used the drawings in the Diesel Cyclopedia to space the trucks. It works out but there is more room in the shell. I've lengthened the wheelbase on a couple Athearn SD40-2s to the correct 43'6" but haven't finished them yet. One is BN 7023 with a SD45 radiator so there is room but the other is a regular SD40-2. I narrowed the trucks using semi-scale wheelsets. I had to round the back of the clip that holds the truck on and take a little out of the back of the shell but the frame fits without sideframes. I need to replace the steps so the sideframes will fit.