I’m working on a Kato HO scale Milwaukee Road SD40-2 that I picked up from late DSED member Rich Phillips estate sold by DSED at a SVMES Trains at Christmas show a few years ago. Project got a boost the next TAC later from another member who is pairing down his collection, with an HO scale Kato SD38-2 chassis. I used that for the smaller, more correct fuel tank that the MILW SD40-2s had.

Added metal lift rings, wire grab irons, a rotary beacon and plows and MU hose clusters on both ends. Also added an all-weather window on the engineer’s side of the cab. Painted step edges and handrail ends as well as the aftermarket detail parts.

Added a Digitrax DH163P silent decoder and used the green wire to power the rotary beacon.

The engine looks like this and now is ready for coupler installation and a light coat of weathering.

Will be placed into service on my HO scale Black Hills & Eastern Railroad as run through power, used interchangeably with my green Burlington Northern SD40-2s.