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May 21, 1999
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Conrail SD-50 Tips by Bob Waller
The SD-50 was an interim locomotive design, a step up in performance and efficiency from the SD-40-2 but not quite as good as the SD-60. Conrail purchased a total of 135 units between 1983 and 1986, making them the second largest owner of the model next to CSX, which ordered a total of 144 units.While there isn't any model of an SD-50 yet in HO scale, I describe below how you might be able to use the Rail Power Products SD-60 shell without going into a major kitbash. After all, the SD-50 and SD-60 externally are nearly identical models, except for a few areas. For example, the conductor-side running board on the SD-50 is approximately 38'6", while on the SD-60 it is 39'0".
Rear Doors: While the difference between the SD-60 and SD-50 frames is only six inches, the arrangement of the rear doors below the radiator intake vents, as pictured to the right. On the conductor side of the SD-50 below the intake vents there are only four approximately 57" high access doors. The SD-60, on the other hand, has three 57" high access doors and three 65" 'full-height' access doors, for a total of 6 doors.On the engineer-side, the SD-60 has same door arrangement under the radiator intake vents as it has on the conductor-side: three 57" access doors and three 65" 'full-height' access doors. The SD-50 has the same 4-door arrangement as it has on the conductor-side, except that the end two doors are 'full height' 65" doors. You can see these differences when you look at photos.
If you need to have a proper radiator door arrangement to model the SD-50, then you will be very disappointed. There are no detail parts available for the short conductor-side doors. Not even Cannon & Company makes them, nor is it possible due to the latch and hinge arrangement to create correct doors by splicing pieces of C&C doors together. We're just out of luck here.
Other Considerations: If you decide to go ahead and use the RPP SD-60 shell, make sure to check the Background section above for differences among various units. I won't repeat that info here, but will mention the FRA-approved class lights, which these will need to be scratch built using tubing and red MV Products #301 lenses.
Overall, this can be a fairly simple model if you pick your unit properly, use prototype photos, and can live with an incorrect radiator door arrangement. As always, the final choice is up to you.
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