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ATSF SD40u 5008
I started with an Athearn SD40u, already painted and detailed for ATSF 5008.
I added and modified details, including "moving" the headlight to the nose.
I also replaced the lights with brighter LEDs and installed DCC with sound.
Weathering is a combination of artist oils and powdered chalks.
I started with an Athearn SD40u, already painted and detailed for ATSF 5008.
I added and modified details, including "moving" the headlight to the nose.
I also replaced the lights with brighter LEDs and installed DCC with sound.
Weathering is a combination of artist oils and powdered chalks.
Right: This photo of the prototype 5008
circa 1994 is the inspiration for my
model, including the very dirty trucks!
Thanks to the photographer for sharing
this image online.
Santa Fe bought twenty SD40 units in
1966, and rebuilt them in 1980 to SD40u
with upgraded systems. In the late
1980's, Santa Fe moved the headlight
to the nose, the horn to the long hood,
removed rotary beacons and class lights,
and added an EOT antenna platform on
the cab - all details I've modeled here.
circa 1994 is the inspiration for my
model, including the very dirty trucks!
Thanks to the photographer for sharing
this image online.
Santa Fe bought twenty SD40 units in
1966, and rebuilt them in 1980 to SD40u
with upgraded systems. In the late
1980's, Santa Fe moved the headlight
to the nose, the horn to the long hood,
removed rotary beacons and class lights,
and added an EOT antenna platform on
the cab - all details I've modeled here.
Right: In the mid-1980's, to reduce glare affecting the crew's view
down the track, Santa Fe began relocating headlights from the
numberboard housing (above the cab windows) to the nose (below
the cab windows). To replicate this, I carefully cut a notch on the
Athearn nose, added a styrene backing, and attached a Detail
Associates headlight housing. I then drilled through the housing
and backing to accept clear lenses, and attached the LED lights
inside the nose.
Also visible are the mostly-removed class lights, shaved down
as seen here, and later sanded flush with the nose surface.
down the track, Santa Fe began relocating headlights from the
numberboard housing (above the cab windows) to the nose (below
the cab windows). To replicate this, I carefully cut a notch on the
Athearn nose, added a styrene backing, and attached a Detail
Associates headlight housing. I then drilled through the housing
and backing to accept clear lenses, and attached the LED lights
inside the nose.
Also visible are the mostly-removed class lights, shaved down
as seen here, and later sanded flush with the nose surface.
Below: Some added details are visible here - all the stuff on the cab roof, cab-side
mirrors, relocated airhorn, and a new air dryer assembly behind the fuel tank.
mirrors, relocated airhorn, and a new air dryer assembly behind the fuel tank.
On both ends, I removed footboards from the
pilots, added MU plugs and red cables, air
hose retainer bars, new drop steps and
coupler lift bars. I added safety slogan decals
in the stepwells.
On the front, I blanked over the upper headlight
and cut in a nose light notch. On the cab roof, I added a scratch-built styrene radio platform
and conduit, a Plano Models EOT platform and
wire conduit, and the A/C unit. I removed the
beacon and filled the hole, and relocated the
horn to the long hood.
On the rear, I added class light plugs.
pilots, added MU plugs and red cables, air
hose retainer bars, new drop steps and
coupler lift bars. I added safety slogan decals
in the stepwells.
On the front, I blanked over the upper headlight
and cut in a nose light notch. On the cab roof, I added a scratch-built styrene radio platform
and conduit, a Plano Models EOT platform and
wire conduit, and the A/C unit. I removed the
beacon and filled the hole, and relocated the
horn to the long hood.
On the rear, I added class light plugs.
Below: I added brass-wire brake air piping to the trucks that feed the low-mounted brake
cylinders. I also added a cab-side vent, and spare coupler knuckles on the trucks.
cylinders. I also added a cab-side vent, and spare coupler knuckles on the trucks.
Below: I removed the nose to do the headlight rework. Note
the wire and connector for the headlight LEDs. I filed off the
numberboard-mounted headlight and added a blank cover.
This view also shows in-process work on cab-top and pilot
details, and added lift rings and fan centers on the long hood.
the wire and connector for the headlight LEDs. I filed off the
numberboard-mounted headlight and added a blank cover.
This view also shows in-process work on cab-top and pilot
details, and added lift rings and fan centers on the long hood.
Below: I added a Soundtraxx sound decoder (center), a Scale Sound Systems speaker and enclosure
(left), and a TCS Keep-Alive unit (green blob held in place with green tape). I installed a black-plastic
sheet to separate the decoder from the motor and prevent wires from interfering with the flywheels.
I installed new LED lights (mounted inside the shell), which have current-limiting resistors soldered to
the decoder and small in-line connectors so I can easily separate the shell from the drive.
(left), and a TCS Keep-Alive unit (green blob held in place with green tape). I installed a black-plastic
sheet to separate the decoder from the motor and prevent wires from interfering with the flywheels.
I installed new LED lights (mounted inside the shell), which have current-limiting resistors soldered to
the decoder and small in-line connectors so I can easily separate the shell from the drive.