Kato SD40-2s

[Erik W]

There's a thread on the A-Board about SD40-2s and who'd people like to see manufacture one.  Obviously Kato already has produced both an early production and mid production SD40-2, as they call them.  Do you folks out there who model the era where these things were used, feel that the Kato -2s are easy enough to track down on Ebay or other places to fill your roster needs (including the older original releases)?  Also, for those of you who paint your own locos, how do you deal with Kato's notoriously difficult paint removal issues on their shells? 

One of the things I enjoy most about the hobby is building, painting, decaling and weathering rolling stock.  I like to paint my own fleet.  As long as I can get my hands on the "raw" materials in the form of the loco I'm looking for.

I'm just curious, I'm always kicking around future layout ideas and one of my favorite eras is around 1980, so SD40-2s are a must.

Erik

[tom mann]

These newer katos with the new mechanism are excellent.

[wm3798]

The question is about availability, not quality.  I don't anyone would argue quality.
I'm not in the market for one, so I can't say for sure, but I don't see them too frequently on ebay.  When they do turn up, I don't recall any outlandish prices, though...
When was the last factory release?

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It's not even so much the general availability. It's the fact that the ones that are so widely available are all in BN , ATSF or BNSF, and have their details matched to those roads.

For example, the BN one is the closest to what I'd want, but it doesn't have rear numberboards. They've been removed.

It's really an issue of the fact that one manufacturer in particular would just be offering so many more schemes and variations on a regular basis. For example, the recent spate of lease units would sell really well, but Kato doesn't do them.

For me, it's not so much an availability, or an issue with what they've done, but an issue with the opportunities that are being squandered.

[Erik W]

When was the last factory release?
Lee

I think the last release was pretty recent.  The early model -2 with/without dynamic brakes seems like it's been quite a while though.

Erik

[pedro]

NO, they are not easy enough to track down in the quantities I need.  I need about a dozen of the "early version" still, in undec preferably. I think we haven't seen any re-release of the early version because it used the "old" mechanism. I think Kato must think it will be seen as a step backwards if they don't have the new "shock absorber" mechanism.

Luckily the Kato early version as released matches exactly what I need for C&NW. Even in 1995, the SD40-2 was still the most common diesel on the C&NW roster. I just need them to release a fresh batch. I'm painting my own, but I can understand the frustration people feel with the glacial pace of Kato releases and lack of roadname variety. The way I deal with the Kato paint is to simply paint over it. Lightly sand away the lettering edges and paint separation lines, then gray primer, then finish coats. I don't feel it's worth the frustration of trying to strip it.

I am not at all thrilled with the prospect of Intermountain doing them, either. They have not proven that they can accurately execute a diesel hood unit yet, in my opinion. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I can't see anything changing between now and whenever they release them. Worse of all, Intermountain's entry into the SD40-2 field will almost assure that no one else will do them. I will hold out patiently for Kato.

Pete D.

[justTRAINcRaZy]

I could use a dozen in NS paint. Have found 4 used ones from an earlier run. NS still uses them a lot in the Spencer Yard as part of the hump sets, and also as local switchers, The Winston Salem Southbound also uses them as local switchers.

[Mark5]

Kato SD40-2s are a big PITA to get a hold of in the proper configs.

I'd like to see Atlas do them. The Kato hoods are overly wide and Kato can't seem to figure out how to make the number boards on the long hood to scale. : And then there's the funky handrails on the long hood on the new runs, wth is with that?

[Erik W]

I'd like to see Atlas do them.

Reality being what it is, I don’t see Kato upping production or availability of the SD40-2.  I also honestly don’t see an IM SD40-2 hitting the market for a really long time, if at all.  And if IM actually does do the –2, I see it having the same issues as their current hood units. So, in light of that, I too would like to see an Atlas SD40-2.  I know there are many varieties/configurations, but if done right, I'm sure they could pull it off.  It’s not like the SD40-2 is an obscure model, by any means.  We’ll see.  I think the reality is, the US based manufacturers don’t see Kato already doing these as much of a reason to not produce an SD40-2.  So, I’m sure we’ll see one at some point, by which company though is the question.

Erik

[wm3798]

The discussion of "the right configuration" raises an interesting question...  As we have clamored for added detail and road specific accuracy from the manufacturers, have we in fact shot ourselves in the foot?  The corollary question, is there such a thing as a "generic" prototype SD40-2, one that a modeler would be able to get his mitts on, and then specialize?

Seems to me all these road-specific add-ons we are demanding are making it harder take an engine and customize it to fit our individual needs.  At the same time, these variants have lead to a steady decline in the availability of detail parts.

Regarding a re-release of the early Kato model, I don't believe there would be a problem matching the old shell to the new frame.  I have some old run SD-40's (straight) and a couple of new ones, and they're fully interchangeable.  I believe its a different mech from the -2, but I can't see why there would be a radical difference, unless the Big K has decided to go with scale width hoods...

Lee

[Erik W]

The discussion of "the right configuration" raises an interesting question...  As we have clamored for added detail and road specific accuracy from the manufacturers, have we in fact shot ourselves in the foot?  The corollary question, is there such a thing as a "generic" prototype SD40-2, one that a modeler would be able to get his mitts on, and then specialize?
Lee

I agree.  Though specifically I was thinking more along the lines of the manufacturer offering  locos with the significant differences like dynamic brakes vs. no DB the different air filters (I think that's what they are on the sides of the long hood) and nose lengths.  Leave the rest up to the modeler.  Got to keep Craig busy!

Erik

[nscalesteve]

Regarding a re-release of the early Kato model, I don't believe there would be a problem matching the old shell to the new frame.  I have some old run SD-40's (straight) and a couple of new ones, and they're fully interchangeable.  I believe its a different mech from the -2, but I can't see why there would be a radical difference, unless the Big K has decided to go with scale width hoods...

the old shell does not fit the new drive at all. it's not the width which is different it's the lenght. the new SD40-2 drive halves are slightly longer than the old SD40-2 drive halves. and then is there the new fueltank underframe assembly. it is possible to fit an old longhood shell (the one w/o db) together with the new cab and new sill on the new drive but there is major surgery necessary.


(wow, what a great picture, next time I better shot direct against the sun...)

preparing before painting. I strip all my Kato shells (except the sill) in alcohol with a round brush on a flex wave on a Dremel (low rpm). I do not strip the sill completely I most often only remove the red stripe with alcohol and a Q-Tip.

not SD40-2s but...

[Mark5]

Just cover the major "as built" variations.

Maybe this could be the one where Athearn finally "gets it" with N scale:


(HO model shown)

Although to date Athearn's N scale locos have been crap - from the rocket powered F59 to the obvious fan housing errors on the SD70 series. Are Athearn's HO locos this bad?

[cv_acr]

I have some old run SD-40's (straight) and a couple of new ones, and they're fully interchangeable.  I believe its a different mech from the -2, but I can't see why there would be a radical difference, unless the Big K has decided to go with scale width hoods...

The SD40-2 has a longer frame than the SD40.

The SD40 uses the same frame as the SD45.
The SD40-2 uses the same frame as the SD45-2.

[nscalesteve]

...what is this fugly looking thingy on top of the short hood ?   :