Kit-bashed SD26

[Ray Marinaccio]

I bought a Kit-bashed SD26 from a friend intending to only use the trucks for one of the SD38s I am building.
After looking at photos of SD26s and finding an article in the Aug. 2001 MR on bashing an SD26, I decided to rebuild the loco.
I realized I could put the shell on an Atlas SD35 chassis I had.
This was a modified Athearn SD9.

I stripped the paint, removed the cab and nose, then replaced them with Tyco GP20 parts. Coupler mounting pads were glued in the pilots, a filler plate added below the Coupler pocket and the foot boards removed.

The long hood was cut off at the walkway, the top and end removed and from the dynamic brake blister forward was removed.
Spacer strips were added in the walkways to narrow the long hood, A new top was added, and the hood end was reinstalled. The SD9 dynamic brake fans were used.

The walls of the mid section were made by splicing sections from an Athearn SD40-2T and styrene filler pannels. The top of the mid section was built from scratch with parts from the SD40-2T added.

 

[jim currie]

nice bash Ray

 

[Ralph]

You do amazing stuff Ray! Looking forward to progress on this creation. Are you painting it PC or CR?

 

[b28_82]

Nice kitbash, looks all beat up right now. Must need a new paint job :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

You do amazing stuff Ray! Are you painting it PC or CR?

I plan to paint this in Santa Fe blue and yellow.
I want to model a few Santa Fe locos since I live in Santa Fe territory now.

 

[Ralph]

I can understand that Ray. Ever since I moved to Minnesota (24 years ago) I've been tempted to model the Soo Line!
Ralph

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

I took a few updated photos of this project.
I have most of the body work and details added.
The cooling fans are Details West, the sun visors, air conditioner and MU receptacles are Detail Associates. The bell is Athearn.
The air tanks, piping, classification lights, headlight visors, air intakes. coupler lift bars and MU hoses are scratch-built.