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Well, at first glance they look like regular SD (6-axle) diesels.  Then you think they're not quite as long as those other SDs.  Then you think that's why their trucks look a bit shorter too, which is maybe why they don't look the same as the ones on those regular SDs - more holes?  Then some smartass walks up and asks if you noticed the wheels are about 2" bigger than on those other SDs.  Great hobby, even the smartasses are worth listening to occasionally

Jason

Well, at first glance they look like regular SD (6-axle) diesels.  Then you think they're not quite as long as those other SDs.

That's because they are built on a shorter/lighter underframe.

Then you think that's why their trucks look a bit shorter too, which is maybe why they don't look the same as the ones on those regular SDs - more holes?

The trucks may LOOK shorter, but they are the same as other SD 3-axle trucks, just with hollow/lighter weight  bolsters & frames.

Then some smartass walks up and asks if you noticed the wheels are about 2" bigger than on those other SDs.  Great hobby, even the smartasses are worth listening to occasionally

Well, speaking as a "smartass" who worked for EMD for almost 37 years, the trucks, GP, SD, and SW of that era, ALL had 40" diameter wheels, i.e. NOT "2" bigger". The 42" diameter wheels didn't come along until the late 1990s

Jason

It almost looks like a 'kit bash' project. A chassis from a Lionel SD18 and a body shell from a GP38. Not 100% accurate, but fairly close.

That would bear somewhat of a resemblance, and if you're using the lionel parts you suggested than it would likely look the part in a lionel toy train fleet.

That being said: there are enough differences between the sdl39 and any other locomotive that I think it would be extremely hard (not impossible) to capture the true look with anything but a properly done brass model.

Last edited by Oxolotleman

Terrific stuff Mike, must crack on with my D&H Bi-Cen chop-nose RS3u!

Dick, I think I found it from Google and I'll try that again to find the source.  The reference to Chilean railways surprised me because I kid myself I saw the drawing with the noticeable difference in dimensions from way back before they went there.  Anyway, can't remember if I've had my second cuppa' tea this morning so ....

Jason

Hi Dick

As an Englishman always asking questions about Nth American railroads, I quickly got into the habit of asking that brilliant Irishman G O'Ogle first!  My search for 'emd sdl39 diesel loco drawings' threw up the drawing I posted above.  I suspect it is a 'standard' EMD sales brochure drawing(?), tastefully updated!

I was involved with Gilmaur diesel kits a few years ago and we used drawings from the same source in our SW1500 kit.  OK, OK, I'll come quietly officer, but we thought the dwgs would be unwanted/out of copyright(?) by the time we needed them!

Google threw up the usual range of images, one of which referenced this Flickr group:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/emd_sdl39/?rb=1

Absolutely terrific selection.  Don't know if you know, but way back Wisconsin Central's owner acquired other railroads including English, Welsh and Scottish Railways here in the UK.  Great paint scheme for modelers, shame it's gone.

Although I've been modelling Nth Am rrs for 45 years, one of our O-scale manufacturers (Dapol) has announced a Class 66 made in Canada and the USA ... so I must get one in nearly Wisc Cen paint!!

https://www.mainlinediesels.ne...=1000603&lang=en

Jason

The Milwaukee SDL39s used to run a lot in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa as the trackage was old, tired, and lightweight. I photoed a couple of them in Spencer, Iowa, a town of about 10,000 people.

They went from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Central to Wisconsin Southern to Fepasa in Chile. There were only 9 left at that time.

Dick

@Mike Slater posted:

Here is some pictures of one of the two , 3-Rail kitbash I did, this one I did back about 8 years ago.  It is a combination of a K-line GP38-2, an Atlas RSD4/5 for the power trucks  and motors, an overland fuel tank that I cut down.  I also re-arranged the engine sdl39a%20[2%29sdl39esdl39dsdl39bDSC04958DSC04957DSC04378DSC04376DSC04374doors to match the prototype

How in the devil did you rebuild the side frames?

Dick

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