Here is my take on modeling SP SD9E using the Life-Life Proto 2000 (now Walthers) model as a starting point. One of the things I don’t like about the P2K model is that the frame is too wide behind the fuel tank. I started by milling that area, giving a greater depth. The gap between the fuel tank and the frame is also too large. The reason is that the part of the sill below the access doors is missing. On the prototype, there is a visible lip below the access doors. I added styrene strip, and some bits of 0.010 styrene rod to represent the hinges on the bottom of the doors. Another visible item lacking on the P2K model were the jacking pads, so I constructed those from styrene. I added 0.010 styrene to simulate the ends sheets on the fuel tanks. The area between the middle and bottom steps is pushed out too far, making the bottom step too shallow. I cut this out, and made a new bottom step from styrene. On my next ones. I plan to use Plano’s etched steps. As usual, I made new, scale draft gear openings on the pilots. Taking advice from Harry Wong, I filled in the too large casting holes on the side frames, and drilled smaller holes. I think this has been fixed on subsequent runs, but haven’t paid attention. Nobody makes a correct air filter/moisture trap, so I turned one from styrene rod and put it in place behind the fuel tank.

The shell required a little less work. I cut out he radiator grill openings and made some shutters from styrene strips, modeling them in the closed position. Plano makes great etched screens, and I used those. EMD changed the position of the louvered opening through the production of SD9s, the arrangement on the P2K model is correct for some, not for others. Unfortunately, for the two I modeled here, the arrangement needed to be modified. I removed the lower, outside louver set (of four) on the set under the dynamic brakes, and added one set under the radiators. I used some from an old Athearn SD9 shell, sanding them quite thin after cutting them out of the shell. This is also a good way to remove your fingerprints! On the short hood, there are two extra sets of small louvers, I think these were added during the rebuild, These also came from the Athearn shell. I dislike the P2K number boards, so I flued some styrene into the openings on a set of from Cannon, and sanded those down until not much more than the gasket was left, and then added those to the short hood. SP plated over the rear number boards. Added the lights and Cannon fans, along with other specific details as needed. The location of the hand brake ratchet is too far back for SP units (at least the two I modeled), it shouldn’t be flush against the rear hood radius. I moved it forward about 0.060 in.
4350 was equipped with icicle breakers, so I built some from 0.010 x 0.030 brass strip. They can be positioned either up or down. I cut down some Cannon doors to make the access doors on the hood ends, Details west also makes this part. I then assembled and added the Plano end ladders.

Plano makes the correct rotary windshield wipers for the snow service engines. 4350 appears to have undergone some accident repairs, it is missing a rear plow, and the stanchions on the back deck have been replaced by the older, pipe style version. SP frequently added some screen material to the rear radiator fan on its first generation hood units, probably as protection for crew members stepping on them, I glued some chiffon to the Cannon grills before I painted them to simulate that. On 4327, I modeled it as if the fans had been moved around, which I’ve seen on photos of other units.