Lowering a Lionel SD40-2

Any chance we can get more photos of this drive you have here? I am curious as to why some of Lionel's 'twistie' trucks are easier to lower than others.

The Lion drives twist and come out without screws holding them in. The other twisties, whatever they are called, are held in with 2 screws. So the shell has to come off to get to those screws. The Lion drives don't use screws so using the washers  doesn't apply. Bracket flipping, frame modifications, or truck modifications are required. Seems the case with your Sharks vs Mario's Sharks.

I'm wondering if the difference is in the locking plate. Seems my Sharks had them dished downward. I can still twist my trucks off without tools even after lowering them but I have to take off the pilots and rear coupler assemblies first.

Thats how my GP30 and GP35 work now, the trucks still twist off, but I have to unscrew the pilots 1st, to get the trucks to turn 90 degress.

The 2 styles that I have, the mounting plates have a different dish, and attach to the frame differently.

I poked around on Lionel's site and checked out the exploded views but everything looks the same. Maybe it's the combination of the stamped frames vs. cast (like the Sharks and F3/7s have) and the truck blocks.

 

I guess I'll find out soon enough when I get into my GP7s and my H16-44.

This great locomotive (which could possibly get me into the PC/Conrail era because it's awesome!) is owned by Calvin.

It looks to be similar to the Legacy sharks, but the retaining plate on top is just a little different.

My sharks do have the twist off Liondrive trucks, but with the cast frame instead of stamped, if I move the dished ring to the top, the wheels bottom out on the frame before the "T" is fully inserted in the ring.

With this stamped frame, I measured before hand and it was less than 0.050" too high, so I didn't have to move the plate to the top of the stamped frame, but like my Sharks, just inserted a washer between the retainer and the frame, allowing the "T" of the truck to sit higher up in the dished twist on plate.

Images to follow.

Thanks
Mario.


Mock up:

PS- My H16-44s don't have the twist off Liondrive trucks.

Let the games begin...

This looks sweet.


Calvin, I am so jealous. I may have to keep this.

Looking Good Mario.

 

 

Great job Mario!

Here's some latest pics.

 

 

 

Thanks,

Mario

Wow this looks great!  Thanks for sharing the pics and work details.

 

I can't wait to see it with full-length handrails.

Do you have any SD40 spacers available?

Mario    Another great project, and she's looking good,Im following with great interest.    Thanks       cTr...(Choose the Right)

Mario,

 

I have a question about the spacers. Can you contact me at the email address in my profile?

 

Thanks.