Alright; so in my ongoing quest to detail the snot out of my DRGW SD45's, while doing some research on Railpictures.net... I realized this, on the front end, just above the plow, near were the Cut-bar lever is. There are holes in the front. However, on some Units, they're one on one side. And one my particular Unit, they're on both sides. Does anyone know what these are for? One Hole: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=270600&nseq=16 Both: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=295021&nseq=3
Don't quote me, but I THINK they are lift holes for when the unit is shopped. I could be wrong, and they will be happy to point it out. This is why you need a photo, and know exactly what unit you want to detail!! Or you use the It's MY railroad, and I'm doing it this way!
Yepp, you're right Paul, they are for lifting the locomotive! The SD40T-2's have them as well as the GP9, 30, 35, 40, 40-2's and the SD50's had them too. As far as I know the Grande was the only railroad to modify there units this way, could be wrong so don't hold me to it! Just from what I remember seeing. That should answer your question!
Thanks Thanks Everyone, Thats what i thought, but thought i'd check. But why would there only be one hole on some locomotives?
Hey Adam, have a pic of the unit you're talking about or give me a road number. I'm sure there is another one there, you just can't see it? I've never seen a unit with just one...not saying that you're wrong, just that I'm sure there is two or at least there was two of them as some point.
The one i'm looking at with only one is DRGW 5322 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=270600&nseq=16 My preticular Model is DRGW 5324.
I see...the reason: looks to be from wreck repair, a photo on RRPA.net from 1983 shows them on both sides, front and rear, guess they could not add a new hole as the repaired pilot would be too weak to hold the weight of the locomotive. Hope that helps answer your question!
Also: the Grande shops added them, looking through slides in my collection just after they where delivered they did not have them...it'll be fun adding them to the model!
Speaking of Templates, How do you make one to accurately drill the holes? I have done a couple of models just by "Eye balling" them and they turned ou pretty good, But it was a time consuming process. Some of the newer Athearn models come with the holes already there. Is it possible to make a template from one of those? Ideas?
When i added it too all of mine, i had a prototypical photo on hand, but i eyeballed the locations, and they look pretty good. I don't think a template is nessisary.
