Intermountain SD40-2 !!11!

[6axlepwr]

...........And maybe, just maybe, I'll get my MKT SD40-2's. (MKT is a side-project obviously since BNSF and MKT didn't coexist.)   

Interesting you mention MKT. I Just purchased enough decals to do a four unit set of MKT SD40-2's from some Kato models. Just one of those side projects I have always wanted to do ever since I saw them in JD green. Possibly Q equipped if I can get the exhaust hatch to come out correctly.

[lock4244]

Someone needs to explain to me the replies that say the SD40-2 has been widely ignored by the manufacturers. Seems to me the Kato offerings were all fantastic....and better with each release (save for the controversial drive upgrade...which I don't have on any of mine to compare). Why would someone else even need to make them?

Largely because Kato's offerings are, in general, few and far between. I think most would not complain so much if they were a little more like Atlas, where the model X get released more than once per generation. Lately Kato has improved in this regard, but they have in the past made us wait ridiculous amounts of time. The sit on tooling for way too long. When was the last release of the early SD40-2 WITHOUT dynamic brakes? When was the last SD40 for that matter.

Also, the SD40-2 sold to so many roads and was in production for so long, that there are enough variants to keep a few mfg's busy. And I'm not talking road specific details, either, but production items.

[C855B]

Lots of passion for the -2 here, evidently. I have no quarrel with IM, as a matter of fact my 45-2s get as much or more trouble-free run time as anything in my fleet. My lone SP 40T-2 has body shell issues (won't stay put), but that has everything to do with my hack to give it a simulated Gyralight. My thanks to IM for making that possible by including that unique detail. FWIW, I tend not to run my Katos - nearly all early-'90s - because they won't run well with anything else, they're a b!tch to convert to DCC, and the lettering leaves much to be desired. They're all currently bench queens.

... There have just been an ASTOUNDING number of SD40-2's on the rails over the years (41 years now and counting) and hundreds of paint schemes.    Almost 4,000 produced by EMD and it's affiliates, BNSF had almost a thousand at merger day....rrpicturearchives.net alone has over 160,000 photos JUST OF SD40-2's,  Almost assuredly unlike any other locomotive in history. ...

To me, the SD40-2 was the technology jump marking the beginning of the end of "interesting power" and even "interesting railroading". In my microcosm, UP of the '60s and '70s, the RR's acquisition of 682 40-2s hastened the end of double-diesel monsters (my particular passion) and their soup-to-nuts fleet of oddballs. The railroad became a bit boring to watch, oh, gee, here comes another train with four -2s on the point. Ho hum. Good business decision for the RR, but as a railfan UP's SD40-2s became the poster boy of bland, a visible demarcation point of what I came to call "corporate railroading" run by MBAs, not railroaders.

So I hate SD40-2s. Not for their existence, but because they are an icon representing the end of the style of railroading that fed my railfanning interests. Nowadays it's "toasters" leading the boredom parade, and everyone looks back on SD40-2s with rose-colored glasses forgetting that their mindless sameness kicked the $#!+ out of 2nd-generation rosters on major RRs.



That all said, I'm probably good for at least two in UP in very low road numbers. My modeling period spans '65-'75, and like it or not I need to have a couple to represent the later years.

[Scottl]

I think it is telling that a manufacturer would tool this when Kato has tooling already- demand is high.  Apparently some of us like toasters, LOL.

[flight2000]

So, no one has answered this.... IS this the infamous -2 Project or is there still something behind the curtain???

Inquiring minds want to know... 

Cheers,
Brian

[oakcreekco]

Manufacturers earn their reputation, so they get praised or bashed, based on how the end customers perceive the "worth" of the product.

I had terrible luck with several runs of the Tunnel Motor by IM. I saw no improvements made for the issues that I was having between the runs, so my perception of IM isn't very good.

Kato and Atlas all have their own little glitches, but I think quite highly of these two companies. I don't have much time with my new FVM's, but so far, so good.

"Bashing" comes from frustration, whether it be release times, or lack of them, to mechanical/design issues.

Some modelers are more picky than others, some run "continuous" some don't, but the modeler has his own standards that are met, or not. Some issues are big with one modeler, while another one has no problem with the very same issue.

For me, I look at price point, and the "history" of my experiences with a company's units.

I mainly model the DRGW, so Tunnel Motors are a must........................but I now have ZERO Tunnel Motors, and don't feel that the newer ones offered will be any better than the earlier ones.

Not bashing, just my opinion on IM, so I just can't get excited about any new loco releases from them.

[wcfn100]

IM is supposed to be at the next Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show in a few weeks.  I e-mailed to see if they expect to have any samples of the -2.  I haven't heard back yet, but if they say they will, I'll bring the good camera.

I guess the big question to ask if they are going to do the specific details the the HO models are getting.

Hopefully this will be a turning point for IM's locomotives.  Maybe I'll even buy one again someday.   


And to Brian,  I'm in total agreement with everything you've posted.  Keep it up.

Jason

[Denver Road Doug]

So, no one has answered this.... IS this the infamous -2 Project or is there still something behind the curtain???

Inquiring minds want to know... 

Cheers,
Brian

From the rumors I have heard, from multiple sources known not to be wrong very often, this is NOT the infamous -2 Project.

There are "60" reasons the -2 Project hasn't hit yet.      (and truthfully, I don't think it's an especially well kept secret)

[Leggy]

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Banna on this. I spend a bit of time each week bashing on Athearns door to bring their Genesis stuff to N scale. On my desk I've got one of their VGN Heritage ACes and it's achingly beautiful. Now while I model the ever present and Kato/FVM fill my needs I'd still love a SD45-2 but I'm just plain flat out not going to touch the IM model. As Brian has said, the exhaust is just wtf and the hatch on the DB is ridiculously oversized. I've heard the litany of problems with the SD45-T2s and 40-T2s and looking at photos I'm not keen on them either.

Like others have said, Kato has the tooling and abilities but just seems to have a strange production strategy, we only got 2 runs of the CSX/SP SD70Ms and nothing since, yet that tooling could be used to also do UP (Kato wth?!?) and NS units along with some of the other oddballs, modify the long hood and viola SD75M.

I do hope IM has pulled their finger out for the sake of those wanting 40-2s...

[Scottl]

I'd still love a SD45-2 but I'm just plain flat out not going to touch the IM model. As Brian has said, the exhaust is just wtf and the hatch on the DB is ridiculously oversized. I've heard the litany of problems with the SD45-T2s and 40-T2s and looking at photos I'm not keen on them either.

This kind of stuff is hard to let go.  The IM model has not appeared yet, so you guys can worry about the DB and exhaust all you want, but you are blowing smoke.  At least wait until the model appears before you start shooting, OK?   

Kato's production strategy makes perfect sense for a company that makes a wide range of models for multiple markets.  They devote finite effort to the North American market and they make models they think will sell.  They don't cater to the market like Atlas, FVM, and other domestic companies. 

If you bang on doors, why not go to Atlas.  They are the elephant in the room and should have ponied up a SD40-2 a decade ago- they produce pretty much everything else in that era.  It was their market to lose and they ignored it.  I think it is disingenuous to complain when IM or someone else picks up the torch for our collective benefit. 

[jereising]

If you bang on doors, why not go to Atlas.  They are the elephant in the room and should have ponied up a SD40-2 a decade ago- they produce pretty much everything else in that era.  It was their market to lose and they ignored it.  I think it is disingenuous to complain when IM or someone else picks up the torch for our collective benefit.

Oh, yeah - Atlas - the one who waited so long on the 8-40C variant that the prototype was selling them off.  Would have picked up 8 of them, ended up buying none.  Didn't miss them one little bit.

[ljudice]

Those with long memories will recall that 10-15 years ago Atlas told  us on their forum that the SD40-2 was IMPOSSIBLE to do because of the nose and the location of the gear towers.

[Bob Horn]

Lou, that is probably why the Kato trucks are so unique, almost nothing interchangeable with other Kato trucks but the wheels and axels. Bob.

[OHCR 4218]

Every model manufacturer should at least be given the chance to show us what they can do before we rip it. 10 years ago I am sure nobody on here would have thought Bachman would be producing models like they are. Granted they still do not compare to Atlas or Kato, but they have made vast improvements. IM is advertising all new tooling, so we should at least see what they come up with before crucifying them. I don't see any of you producing SD40-2s and if you did are you 100% sure nobody on here would find something wrong with it?

I currently own 8 Kato SD40-2s and I will be getting at least a pair from IM too.

Brandon

[oakcreekco]

Lou, that is probably why the Kato trucks are so unique, almost nothing interchangeable with other Kato trucks but the wheels and axels. Bob.

And great performing too, real workhorses.