09/26/05
| "FRANKENSTEIN" A PROTOTYPE KITBASH |
I first saw photos of this locomotive sometime during the summer of 2005. At the time I did not give it much
thought because it was not in my modeling era, but as time went on and more photos started surfacing, I
thought it would be a cool model to build. It is just to cool of a prototype kitbash to pass up, especially now that
Athearn has produced a superb model of the EMD SD45T-2 which is the base point for starting this model.
NREX 9402 started life in June 1975 as EMD order #74696 unit 9402. It was the last order of SD45T-2's by
SSW in road number group 9371-9402, frame #74696-32. At the time of the UP takeover, unrebuilt SD45T-2's
and other 20 cylinder units were hot on the list for retirement. This unit was retired by Union Pacific in June
1999. After UP it did a stint for CEFX and then on to NREX*. It is believed that at NREX is when the kitbash took
place.
The long hood was donated by a Southern SD40-2. Telltale signs are the long hood end bell bracket and the
walkway light bracket above and between the radiator screens. It is possible the long hood was donated by
Southern 5482. This is not verified, but just a guess at this time since the disposition of this unit is as of yet
unknown to me. Because of how these things are constructed, the clean air room is from the SD45T-2. From
behind that and back is the SD40-2 long hood.
In terms of what models to use to start with, the SD45T-2 is the late version that Athearn produces. The long
hood including the clean air room is donated from a Kato SD40-2. It was not necessary to cut the clean air
room from the Athearn shell because in comparing the SD45T-2 to the SD40-2, I could only find a difference in
the number of drain ports on the right side. Three on the SD40-2 and two on the SD45T-2.
My current era for modeling is around 1975, but I think with this model I will build at least one modern consist. I
think this will be a very fun project because it is so unusual looking. My biggest challenge is getting the decals. I
hope you will enjoy watching this model come to life in these pages.
The other nice thing about this model. I do not have to put any lighting system in it. This prototype specifically
states on the doors "B-UNIT DO NOT OCCUPY". It will never be a lead unit so no need to put lights in it. I will
use my preferred simulated lighting system of MV lenses.
thought because it was not in my modeling era, but as time went on and more photos started surfacing, I
thought it would be a cool model to build. It is just to cool of a prototype kitbash to pass up, especially now that
Athearn has produced a superb model of the EMD SD45T-2 which is the base point for starting this model.
NREX 9402 started life in June 1975 as EMD order #74696 unit 9402. It was the last order of SD45T-2's by
SSW in road number group 9371-9402, frame #74696-32. At the time of the UP takeover, unrebuilt SD45T-2's
and other 20 cylinder units were hot on the list for retirement. This unit was retired by Union Pacific in June
1999. After UP it did a stint for CEFX and then on to NREX*. It is believed that at NREX is when the kitbash took
place.
The long hood was donated by a Southern SD40-2. Telltale signs are the long hood end bell bracket and the
walkway light bracket above and between the radiator screens. It is possible the long hood was donated by
Southern 5482. This is not verified, but just a guess at this time since the disposition of this unit is as of yet
unknown to me. Because of how these things are constructed, the clean air room is from the SD45T-2. From
behind that and back is the SD40-2 long hood.
In terms of what models to use to start with, the SD45T-2 is the late version that Athearn produces. The long
hood including the clean air room is donated from a Kato SD40-2. It was not necessary to cut the clean air
room from the Athearn shell because in comparing the SD45T-2 to the SD40-2, I could only find a difference in
the number of drain ports on the right side. Three on the SD40-2 and two on the SD45T-2.
My current era for modeling is around 1975, but I think with this model I will build at least one modern consist. I
think this will be a very fun project because it is so unusual looking. My biggest challenge is getting the decals. I
hope you will enjoy watching this model come to life in these pages.
The other nice thing about this model. I do not have to put any lighting system in it. This prototype specifically
states on the doors "B-UNIT DO NOT OCCUPY". It will never be a lead unit so no need to put lights in it. I will
use my preferred simulated lighting system of MV lenses.
* Information supplied by Paul Ellis
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Photo Courtesy Stuart Lodge
used with permission
used with permission
Photo Courtesy Stuart Lodge
used with permission
used with permission
Model by Brian Banna