Atlas SD45's shipping

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@Ed Kapuscinski,

Is it possible that the SD45s were maybe painted early in Conrail’s existence, so they got blue walkways?  Look at this:



DFF

F me...

The more I've delved into these, the more weird things get.

I've also come to discover that some did indeed have that Dash-2 style vent. And some didn't. I have no idea why, but luckily it looks like the 6069 that I had done from the EL unit DID, so that's good. 6210, however, I don't think did. But at least it's an easily forgivable error now.

Sometimes I miss modeling the boring mid 80s.

[Mark5]

So the only other SD45 I have in my fleet, is well the Bachmann.

Thanks for posting these. This photo really highlights how poorly rendered the Bachmann SD45 radiators are. Bachmann has come a long way, but not quite there yet on this one.

I could comment on other things (the cab door window, for example), but for me it stopped at the "flared" radiator rendering.

Mark

[Missaberoad]

Not to take this way off topic, but that PVYX RB is hawt! 

[Missaberoad]

I've also come to discover that some did indeed have that Dash-2 style vent. And some didn't. I have no idea why, but luckily it looks like the 6069 that I had done from the EL unit DID, so that's good.

The vent behind the DB blister predates the Dash 2s, later model SD45s and SD40s have it.

The joys of models with long production runs!

And then there's the question of later retrofits. GN 400 the first production SD45 has the vent.
It did not when built.

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/699396/

[peteski]

Thanks for posting these. This photo really highlights how poorly rendered the Bachmann SD45 radiators are. Bachmann has come a long way, but not quite there yet on this one.

The front model's truck sideframes have very weird flat and angular surfaces where the edges should be more curved and they should have more relief.  Bachmann did something similar with the truck sideframes  in their Spectrum DD40AX (in their nomenclature).  Having the trucks painted silver really shows that well.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Does anyone know what function the number boards are connected to once you plug an ESU decoder into these?

[nscaler711]

The front model's truck sideframes have very weird flat and angular surfaces where the edges should be more curved and they should have more relief.  Bachmann did something similar with the truck sideframes  in their Spectrum DD40AX (in their nomenclature).  Having the trucks painted silver really shows that well.

It probably doesn't help I removed the brake hardware either, The ATSF had a habit of moving the cylinders in between the wheels.
Still not great. but at least it's prototypical...?

https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=6009918

https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5542706

[tehachapifan]

Does anyone know what function the number boards are connected to once you plug an ESU decoder into these?

Try F8.

[garethashenden]

Isn't F8 usually sound on/off?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm not sure about any of that.

I think it has to come from which output the decoder buddy style board connects then to.

Here's a close up.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Mark5]

Does anyone know what function the number boards are connected to once you plug an ESU decoder into these?

Following with interest (I've got two to add ESU to)

[tehachapifan]

Isn't F8 usually sound on/off?

Yes and, in the case of many factory-installed ESU decoders, the numberboards are tied to F8 so they come on when you fire up the sound. If the OP is using a factory sound file, that's where the numberboards are likely mapped.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ooh cool, I'll check that out.

[peteski]

Yes and, in the case of many factory-installed ESU decoders, the numberboards are tied to F8 so they come on when you fire up the sound. If the OP is using a factory sound file, that's where the numberboards are likely mapped.

That just means that whatever function output (or AUX in ESU parlance) is tied to number board is then mapped in the sound project to F8 function activation in the sound project.  Still unknown what the physical connection is on the model's PC board.

I have "decoded" couple Atlas PC boards, mapping out everything in this thread but this appears to be a different board.  If  someone wants me to figure this one out, PM me and then send me the entire chassis - I don't need the shell), and  I'll map it out.

[tehachapifan]

Ok, I guess I don’t understand what was originally being asked then. On the board pictured above, I’m 98% certain the spot marked “NUM” is for the rear numberboards (or front if normally runs long hood forward).  But my guess that is not the question either.