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Conrail SD-60M Tips by Bob Waller
Conrail began receiving their first SD-60M's during December 1992, with the final order arriving sometime in March 1993. Pleased with the locomotives, Conrail placed another order for delivery between May and June 1993. All of Conrail's SD-60M's were assigned to the series 5500-5574, except for 5544 which was an SD-60I.Atlas offers locomotives predecorated for CR 5512, 5535, and un-numbered. CR 5512 is probably the easiest of the predecorated models to bring up to Conrail standards, while the 5535 will take more work than is probably possible in N scale. Of course, the un-numbered version can be any unit you desire, but I suggest numbering it below 5512 for reasons detailed below.
Classification Lights: As mentioned on the SD-60M Prototype page, Conrail SD-60M's were uniquely equipped on the nose and rear with either flush-mounted or recessed FRA-approved classification lights. If you are using the predecorated and pre-numbered Atlas models, CR 5512 will need flush-mounted lights added, whereas the 5535 will need the recessed version. The prototype photo to the lower left shows these two types of class lights side by side. No one makes these detail parts in N scale, nor can they be easily scratchbuilt.
With this having been said, I feel I can easily live with the classification lights molded onto the Atlas 5512 model; painting the gasket silver might add to the illusion that the FRA's are really there. If you have been reading my other modeling pages, you'll know that I quickly accept compromise when it comes to model railroading, especially in N scale. I'd rather have a pretty-darn-near accurate locomotive model than no model at all. There are some modelers who have trouble with this philosophy; as a result, they also seem to have rather limited Conrail locomotive rosters. But I have found nearly all the folks who enjoy the CRCyc also compromise when necessary. And this is an acceptable compromise for a plastic N scale model of 5512 or any other early Conrail SD-60M.However, I have a different view of the 5535, which should have recessed FRA-approved class lights. Since these lights are highly noticable on the prototype due to their big "hole" in the nose and rear, I have trouble not including the lights on the model. Since I can't figure out how to add them to the Atlas N scale model, I will bypass the 5535 and its higher-numbered cousins. Again, this is only my opinion.
Cab/Nose: A few details need to be added to the cab and nose. You can either refer to the smaller image to the right, or check the SD-60M Details page for larger images. First, paint the trim silver on the two side cab windows on all Conrail SD-60M's. Wind screens will also be needed, but I am still checking on these. Using photos as a guide, apply handrails to the nose hood. Maybe weather the black anti-slip paint on the cab nose.Pilot: Details that can be added to the front and rear pilots are from Sunrise Enterprises: N-614 Ditch Light Tall Porch Mount SP with the light removed and glued in place (there is no Conrail detail part, so this is as close as we get), N-207 Snow Plow--All Roads w/Grab Irons (front pilot only), N-550 MU Hoses Pilot Mount, and N-850 MU Cables With Receptacles.
Handrails: Unique to Conrail SD-60M's, the long hood handrail stops short of the cab wall, with an extra stantion for better stability. I go into more detail on this feature on the SD-60M Prototype page. Having thought about this for a long time, I find the Atlas handrail extremely difficult to modify in order to more accurately model this feature. If I remove the handrail past the section where it begins arching upward to the cab wall, there won't be enough room left on the remaining railing to add the extra stantion. I don't really want to replace, which means scratchbuild, all the handrails and stantions on the model with wire ones. If there is an effective, not-too-painful way to do this that doesn't yield railings that look like King Kong climbed all over them, I'd like to know. Plus, if I keep the Atlas railing, I'll need another stantion for each side. Assuming that I got the extra stantion, I might be able to squeeze the it onto the extreme tip of the handrail, thereby giving the illusion that the railing continues through the stantion, but I doubt this will work very well given my current skills in N scale. Maybe someday, but not today.
Radiator Fans: These are recessed on the prototype. You could make the modifications to your model as I explain on the HO Modeling page. It depends on how detailed you would like the model. I find this type of modification difficult in N scale.Decals: For those who like to do their own painting, here is your info. All units were painted in the Quality scheme. The following N scale Microscale decal sets will paint all units currently operating: 60-740 CR Quality Locomotives, 60-628 CR Diesel Locomotives Data & Stripes.
Conclusion: My N scale modeling skills are still in their infancy. Major modifications to body shells or handrails are still beyond me here, but they will develop as time goes on. For the time being I have to make some major and some not-so-major compromises if I want a Conrail SD-60M in N scale. Conrail-specific features like FRA-classification lights and modified long hood handrails make modeling these locomotives a challenge, no matter your skill level. If you really want an N scale Conrail SD-60M, I suggest modeling units between 5500-5512, which have the flush-mounted class lights. As for the other compromises, you'll have to decide for yourself. You know, those predecorated Soo Line SD-60M's are looking better every day--no modifications needed! And I can use a couple on my CP pool power. Hmmm....
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