MTH dummy conversion

Like what I see so far.

 

One of my projects is a pair of SD24 conversions. ATSF bought them with GP20 low short hoods, but MTH did them with the high-nose short hoods. Got a couple of GP20 shells, but haven't had the time to commit to doing the "surgery." Fixing the pilots and a repaint to blue with nose patches is part of the plan.

Matt,

Are those SD24s scale wheel convertible?   How is the detail on them?  Been wanting a blackbird sd7 or sd9 for some time now, but if the SD24 presents itself I could do that as well.  Really like the roof tanks on SD24s.

The overall superstructure is pretty good, but the truck design was the old style and the orientation of the motors complicates the conversion since the forward motor is under the short hood. The plan is to take the front motor and place it in the rear of the dummy unit, weight balance the two units and run the pair together off the single Proto-2 electronics set. I've been thinking about having the trucks converted to scale wheels and wiring them for 2/3 operation (easy enough to do). Fixing the pilots will be a challenge as there isn't a lot of clearance. I'll see after I cut into them.

 

I have a couple of SD9's (Scale King), but haven't looked at what I'd need to do on them. These are the Rail King Scale that came from the old Premier tooling.

I was planning to do the same thing with my ATSF SD24. I have the GP20 shell but I have found that the can motor is in the way. I don't know if a shorter motor will work or not. something to think about.

 

As for the SD9 you will be able to run fixed pilots without any issues.

Good afternoon McQ

 

If your not going to use the wheels off your dummy unit I could use them.

 

Clem k

I did some poking around, looks like there are ps3 and ps2 sd24 which are both 3/2 convertible, as well as ps2 sd24 which are not 3/2 convertible. Does the fuel tank look short on the sd24?

All of this pilot fixing is going to become a production.  Mr. MTH needs to get on board.

Clem, I tried replying to you last night but my email was acting up.  I was actually able to make a deal to trade the dummies for scale wheels(they were ok with the missing gear).  Now that Matt has me looking at sd24s, I might have another hi rail set available soon.  We'll see.

The Dash 8 conversion is pretty straight forward. I used .125 styrene to cut out my spacers.

 

 

On the dummy unit, you may have to cut or grind the frame (and the pilot) on the ends in order to get the shell off once the fixed pilot is installed.

 

I actually pre purchased the styrene based on your fixed pilot instruction which also opened up the door to purchasing these dummies in the first place.  So thank you for putting that together.

I see on the dummy frame, it looks different than yours in your photos.  The frame end totally obscures the pilot mounting area so it will all have to go.

  I'm actually toying with the idea of reproducing these adapters (once I get it right) using a 3d printer that a friend has access to.  Not sure how easy that will be though as I've never used a 3d printer before.  As mentioned I will be doing an es44ac as well as the 8-40cw. Might add sd24 to that list soon.

There have been two re-releases. Mine was from the first with the 5-volt board. The later ones, I believe, could go 3/2 but because of the design, MTH didn't offer them with fixed pilots. I heard the E8's and a couple of other locomotives are configured such that offering a -2 version wasn't in the cards -- at least for now.

 

I'm leaning toward eventually fixing the pilots on all of my diesels even though most of them are hi-rail. Just love the look and have been seduced by the scale side of the force.

Finally got some time last night to get the pilots and frame shaped up.  Used a dremel with a cutoff wheel (oh noes!) and some stones.  The bench grinder and scroll saw were too cumbersome.  Came out pretty good, looks like plenty of material left for the mounting screws.  Had to be most careful outboard toward the steps when making clearance for the frame to come off for disassembly.  I wanted to avoid grinding on the channeled sides of the frame if possible.  Some touch up paint when finished will make it all pretty, even though you can't see any of it from the outside.  Also installed the scale wheel set.  UP next.... make the styrene adapters and coupler pockets and tidy up the handrails.  

 

 

 

LOS" Looks like a small business opportunity to 3D print these parts and bag them for sale. It also looks like you made a enclosure  for the coupler.? 

 

Phil

The SD-9 ( maybe the -24) is the last Diesel that captured my fancy.  The MTH version originally had trucks that were too long, presumably so they could be used under E-units too.  Are the new 3-2 SD trucks the correct length?

The SD24 PS3 trucks are the same as the PS2 version. These same trucks are interchangeable with the SD45, SD9, The difference is in the frames.  

I also converted a MTH sd70ace dummy to 2-rail.  After fixing the pilot, lengthening the handrails, and buying $40 worth of 2-rail wheels, I'm not sure it was worth it.

 

But when I started this project, I didn't know MTH was about the catalog the ps3 version of it.  I pre-ordered the new one anyways.