YEah, YEah, I know I got a long way to go. BTW, does anyone know the prototypical lighting of these units? I am aware the nose lights were the headlights but what about the over the cab lights?
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Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:
YEah, YEah, I know I got a long way to go. BTW, does anyone know the prototypical lighting of these units? I am aware the nose lights were the headlights but what about the over the cab lights?
Since the Amtrak SDP40F units had no steps & walkway on the front, the headlight was probably on the nose door. I can't remember if they had an oscillating light, if so, that would have been mounter above the windshields and between the number boxes. You will have to look up photos of the first units built for Amtrak and assigned to the Santa Fe between Chicago and LA.
Never mind my question. I see the top lights were the red E-Stop and blinking marker type of light. Looks cool though!
Although I've never seen one up close from what I heard from retired co-workers at Amtrak, they say that the top lights were used as a MARS/Strobe light and red reverse light while the one's on the nose are used as the main headlight. They put this on the P30CH or "POOCH" and the first delivery of F40PH's in the 1970's. Also the front porch handrails were never added while in Amtrak service, but I do think it looks a lot better with the handrails.
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Its going to take a lot to make that into an SDP40F. You're basically looking at a cab, carbody sides and some of the roof. Need 2 F40s for the roof midsection, an SD60 Frame, and the whole steam generator section is all fabwork. Underframe and pilots would all be scratch too (or splice 2 F40 tanks together). I looked into it, and didn't really deem it worth trying.
Best to just leave it as is and enjoy it, or fix the lights, horn (split manifold SL-4T) and call it a day.
Why would you need an sd60 frame?
K-Line • Amtrak
Click photo to enlarge.
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Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:
Why would you need an sd60 frame?
Because the wheelbase of an SDP40F is longer than an FP45, and its within inches of the SD60 (59'8" vs. 59'5.5") vs. 58' 7" for the FP45. Not to mention, as far as the model is concerned, using an SD60 chassis gets rid of the blind inner axle and gives you 3/2 trucks on an MTH model.
Yes, the SDP40F headlight on the cab top (between the number boards) was an oscillating headlight. The video I have of the Coast Starlight in that era (mid-1970's) shows it in use on the Portland-Tacoma BN double track main. The new F40PH of that era, however, had dual strobe lights on the cab roof.
The loco looks cool to me so I can't wait to see what you do to it. Looking forward to the progress photos.
Originally Posted by Boilermaker1:
Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:
Why would you need an sd60 frame?
Because the wheelbase of an SDP40F is longer than an FP45, and its within inches of the SD60 (59'8" vs. 59'5.5") vs. 58' 7" for the FP45. Not to mention, as far as the model is concerned, using an SD60 chassis gets rid of the blind inner axle and gives you 3/2 trucks on an MTH model.
And it gives you the correct -2 trucks.
