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South Jersey S Scale Modelers

Norfolk Southern SD60 6596

 

Norfolk Southern SD60 6596 is very well photographed on the internet train sites. I “borrowed” a few very interesting shots. I hope the original photographers won’t mind!

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This is an American Models SD60 released in 2001. I was not much into “modern” at that time only having a very few pieces and never I bought one. That has changed! I do “modern” as best as easily possible for S without having to making everything.

 

My intent for this loco was to install DCC and fill in the pilot slot and get the coupler off the swinging truck mount. You should never mix body mounted and truck mounted couplers. No extra detail at all it is a utility piece. Once you put the snow plow on there is not much else to see anyway. Not a big project here.

 

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This is the stock SD60 drive with most of the American Models wiring removed. This is where I start installing the DCC which for this loco is a WOW4, DLG8 speaker and 2) 3mm LEDs. I also usually remove flywheels but this drive is too much work to remove flywheels.

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Draft Gear

My first attempt at making this draft gear was in 2018 with my CSX SD60. It did not turn out quite like I wanted. The coupler height was high and stuck out too far. When I got 6596 I knew I had to revise it but somehow I lost the original Solidworks design files so I had start from scratch. The hole should be tapped with a 2-56 for a flathead screw. The draft gear has to be fitted and glued into the pilot opening as perfectly flush as possible or the drive will not fit into the shell. I used Zap A Gap green glue. Some minor filing and fitting of the draft gear and/or the shell may be needed. The photo at lower right shows the draft gear installed with the American Models snow plow as I intended. And finally the coupler height is PERFECT!

 

I have sold this draft gear at times from what was my Shapeways store and directly. My 3D printing capabilities have changed greatly since this project. Shapeways was closed for a while them reopened but not interested in printing small order parts for individuals like they did previously. I now have my own 3D printers so I can make my own parts when needed.

 

NOTE – you should install the couplers before attaching the snow plow.

 

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Completed 4-23-23

6596 looks good running with the 8-32B 3531. They actually run well together without any special decoder programming since they are both almost the same American Models drive.

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Updated 2-8-26

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