.................................. Return to Sumner's Home Page....

Return to N Scale RR Main Menu.............. Return to Locomotive Menu

=========================================

..............Previous Page..............................Next Page If There Is One

=========================================

….......................................--- High Nose SD24 ---

One of my goals with my N scale layout is to get as many models of UP locomotives as I can find from the 40's to mid 70's. A large number of these have been recreated as N scale models but not all. One that I was having a hard time finding was a 'High Nose' SD24. UP only had one but I decided if I could end up with one that would be nice.

I found an Atlas SD24 CB&Q undecorated shell on eBay and purchased it hoping I'd have the skills to paint it at some point. The recommendation was to put it on an Atlas SD24 frame. I started looking on eBay for Atlas SD24's and found they were usually going for more than I really wanted to spend. Then on SpookShow I found out that Atlas SD7/9/24/26's all shared the same chassis so started looking for any of those with a good price. Still no luck. Then I wondered if the shell would go on a Life-Like SD7 chassis/frame as I had a couple of those and you can find them for less than the Atlas models.

As you will see below the shell seems to work fine on the Life-Like chassis. UP was also the only one to have SD24 B units and I have one of those shells also coming. Hope it also will work with the Life-Like chassis. I'll report back.

.

Above is the Life-Like SD7 with the shell removed. These are kind of old fashion looking under the shell but the ones I've bought seem to run well on my DC test track. I will be converting them to DCC as I find the time. You can find a decoder install for one ( HERE ) and improved electrical pickup ( HERE ). I'll post pictures of the decoder install when I get around to doing it.

The Life-Like apart with one of the weights laying off to the side in the background. I included the box so one would know which one I got but I imageing any of the SD7's would work. I'll probably keep this one UP even though I have a second one. I can usually find non-UP engines a little less expensive at times and I don't need one with a good shell.

This is a nice shell and only cost $13 but I'll have more into it by the time I fit it out with the handrails, tanks on the top, couplers and more. I also haven't tried painting one of these yet so who knows how that will go.

The shell presses down on the Life-Like chassis like it was made for it.

.

.

.

Looks nice but a lot of work to go.

=========================================

...........................On..............e.........Next Page If There Is One