Swapping Kato SD40 cabs

[sizemore]

I have a slew of SD-40's I want to detail/upgrade prior to hitting the paintshop, just wondering if anyone has swapped the Gen2 SD40 cabs (current production with the correct windows), on the older shells. Theoretically it sounds like it should work. I'd prefer to hear from someone that has actually done the swap. 

**edit**
Looks like Kato doesnt sell just the cabs like they have in previous parts listings. So then the next logical question is there a comparable Atlas EMD cab that could be substituted? Again I'd prefer to hear from someone that has actually done the swap. 

Thanks,
The S.

[fredmoehrle]

I think you'll find that the only Atlas cab that will fit is the GP-35, due to the fact that the SD-40 has an over thick body, much like the old Athearn blue box shells.

[Catt]

I don't understand this KATO wide body thing.I swap ATLAS and KATO body parts back and forth all the time.I have yet to see any differences in the width.

[esa123]

I agree with Catt, I've switched atlas/Kato cabs and other than moving any attached details on the Kato cabs it's a pretty simple task.

Erik

[sizemore]

If you've switched the cabs, which have you switched. The masses are dying to know.

The S.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The question is which cabs though? The GP35s should be fine. Maybe event he SD35s, but I'm not sure about a GP38 or 40.

[sizemore]

The question is which cabs though? The GP35s should be fine. Maybe event he SD35s, but I'm not sure about a GP38 or 40.

Gotta remember the SD series had flange oilers behind the firemans side cab, so it would have to be SD-35's. But Atlas SD-35's dont have the flange oilers. The GP-38 does.

https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/itemdesc.asp?ic=476202

Guess I'll just have to pull the trigger and try it.

The S.

[Mark5]

I don't understand this KATO wide body thing.I swap ATLAS and KATO body parts back and forth all the time.I have yet to see any differences in the width.

The Kato tooled Atlas GP30 and GP35 shells are equally "over wide" as the Kato SD40/SD45/SD40-2.

The EMD hood units Atlas tooled after the Kato split have scale width hoods (GP38, GP40, GP40-2, SD35, SD50/60).

I can provide photograhic evidence for unbelievers. 

Mark

[Robbman]

Gotta remember the SD series had flange oilers behind the firemans side cab, so it would have to be SD-35's. But Atlas SD-35's dont have the flange oilers. The GP-38 does.

The S.

It's an ECAFB... Electrical Cabinet Air Filter Box.   

[TiVoPrince]

Atlas
GP40 cabs and IM SD45T-2 noses can be sucessfully grafted to Kato SD40 and SD45s.  Meaning you get the SP nose cluster as a bonus.  The extra width of the hood is not particulary obvious at the long hood,unless you choose to model open cab doors.  Open doors just look kind of odd bcause there is not space for the door to actually swing.  The door edge is sort of lost against the wide Kato body and will look very strange if you use an unmodified Kato nose and a 'scale width' cab.

Several swipes of a file can narrow the Kato frame to accept the nose.  Shims inside the cab sub-base are needed  to fill the gap between the wide frame and narrow nose.  Some amount of glue is necessary to hold it all togther.  While glue can be a dirty word around these parts, Atlas bits simply don't magically cling to a Kato shell.

The difference is most notable in the numberboards because they aren't 'squinty' anymore...

[jagged ben]

Atlas
GP40 cabs and IM SD45T-2 noses can be sucessfully grafted to Kato SD40 and SD45s. 

Can one order SD45T-2 noses from IM?

[TiVoPrince]

My
LHS (Trainmaster Models) has obtained a lot of IM parts direct over time for me.  Seldom is this a fast process, but I'm a patient kind of guy. 

Part 694-08 SHORT NOSE/SP LIGHT these are indicated for the SD40T-2 but are the same nose, ratchet brake on a EMD 88 inch nose.  With the 'unobtanium' nature of Sunrise parts it seems the only way to go. 

The short nose along with L window cabs 694-02 and cab glass 694-19 will give you a great start on many SP GP40-2/SD40/SD45 units.  Fit is pretty good on the Atlas GP40-2 bodies since they are about as scale width as the IM parts and do not require modification to the cab itself.  The SD45T-2 complete body 695-01 is also available should you need the whole thing...