The classic SD7/9

If I remember correctly, more than a few roads ran them?

 

They were never as popular as the GP versions.   GP-7, 2729 units vr 188 SD, GP-9 4115 units vr 515 SD.   On the scale model side the three axle truck will either require blind wheels on one axle or require broader radius curves.  If you do make an axle blind, which one?

US hobbies made an SD9 back in the day. They are rare but once in a while you can find them on ebay.

There SD9 versions from both Max Grey and USHobbies.   USH is the descendent firm from Max Grey.    The USH stuff  usually has slightly better details (lost was instead of sandcast in some cases) and often cast gearboxes instead of fabricated.

 

That said, I have an MG version and I really like it.   It runs really well and will take a 48 inch radius without blind axles (it does chatter just a bit).   there is a wealt of detail.   I remotored mine with a Pittman can motor.

Ed Reutling built one from an MTH dummy using P&D drives. I have a few MTH units and was planning to fix the pilots on them. MTH used a blind axle on the fuel-tank end of the 3-rail trucks. The initial Premier SD9's were available in 2-rail DC. The 2-rail units had flanges an all axles, but the axles closest to the fuel tank were idlers.

IN the line of old SD locos I also line the SD24 with the air tanks on top.

 

Dick

Yes, I agree.  The SD24 is actually my favorite old SD loco, but CB&Q didn't have them in blackbird........so I made my own!  This is actually one of my HO creations, which I know doesn't belong here, but give me some time.  I'm following Dad into O and as soon as I get my hands on a nice O SD24, SD7/9, GP30, etc,  well let's just say I will probably run out of decal sets(I bought all I could find, they are hard to come by).

 

 

I have one MTH 2-rail, one PSC, and one made with Kemtron and CLW parts.  The MTH gets more use, the scratch pleases me most, and the PSC is the most faithful.

 

Never heard of blind drivers on a 2-rail diesel model.