Intermountain SD40-2 !!11!

[chessie system fan]

Oh, and different battery box latches.

[kalbert]

So you want it cheap, and you don't care how it runs.  (no mention, anywhere, of performance)      IMHO, that is where the problem lies...people are still so focused on that 1980's price tag that they are truly willing to sacrifice quality for it.   

No. By exquisite I mean it runs flawlesly out of the box, has exceptional detail, is an outstandingly smooth and well proportioned model.

Whatever the -2 project is has to be as good or better than anything currently (or soon to be) available, have DCC, and be comparably priced, or it will sit on the shelf and gather dust while others rotate out frequently.

Look at any "review" thread on this or any other forum. There are 3 basic reviews.

• Fine details and DCC, people bitch about the price.
• DCC and low price, people bitch about the low detail.
• Fine detail and low price, people bitch about the lack of DCC.

That's because those are the 3 corners of the triangle. The closer to one point you get, the further from the others you are. Unless the "-2 project" can somehow exist in all 3 corners, it's dead.

It's vaporware anyway. If it were a real thing being championed by people with the wherewithal to do it, it would be done.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Thanks for ID'ing some of the details Aaron.

I was poking around the IM website and wanted to compare their HO releases and they match almost exactly, except for a few road number tweaks
http://www.intermountain-railway.com/ho/loco/holocsd40-2.htm

The 1st release's GATX made it around to many different railroads. I took photos of them on the BN in Colorado and UP in California so I'll pick one up. Here are some photos I found of the road numbers they are releasing.

GATX 7361 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=16940
GATX 7366 http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=56502
GATX 7367 http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=73371
GATX 7374 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=16944

The Union Pacific numbers look like the same range (2900 series) as Kato's most recent release.

Looks like there are duplicate numbers from Kato releases too:
MEC 607 http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-SD40-2-Early-Pan-Am-p/kat-1764817.htm
ATSF 5053 http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-1768201-5053-SD40-2-SF-Freight-5053-p/kat-1768201-5053.htm

The road names on the second release looks more interesting to me. I'll get a SOO to convert to an NREX leaser.

In the next releases, it looks like snoot and highhood could be a possibility. Also non-dynamic DB and a smaller fuel tank. If they do follow through with N scaling the HO releases, we should see some interesting variety.

[Dave V]

Perhaps this is the price the "unnamed manufacturer" pays for keeping its Dash-2 project a semi-secret that only a few chosen were allowed to know.    I found that whole thing very annoying and nonsensical...and with what IM has already done, it was almost a near certainty that the SD40-2 was on the horizon.

In fact, they did the FTs at the same time MTL did so they're not afraid of competition.

I have no problems with my IM F7s.  I bought them directly from IM since I couldn't find them elsewhere and I must say they had excellent customer support.

I'm usually not one to judge something as crap before it's out.  Heck, I even still give Bachmann a look when they bring something new to the table.  Let's see what IM does with the SD40-2.

Caveat: Until they come with Flexcoil trucks I'm probably sitting this one out, unless I can swap out or modify the sideframes.

[lock4244]

I'll be sitting out the first run. Was hoping the GATX units would be of use on CP, but they're post 1989 so far as I can tell. Ironically, Dad shot some in the deadline (off lease) at Agincourt in 1988 in UP and MP paint, before they went in for R/B & new paint.

The second or third run will be of more interest to me when the CP, ONT, SOO and MILW units come out. I recall seeing the odd CP Expo unit back when I first started going trackside, so they fit my era, but I hope they do more than just those, Be nice if they don't have the beaded blower duct as well, since those are not EMD built units (EMD built CP 5629-5658).

[lashedup]

Perhaps this is the price the "unnamed manufacturer" pays for keeping its Dash-2 project a semi-secret that only a few chosen were allowed to know.    I found that whole thing very annoying and nonsensical...and with what IM has already done, it was almost a near certainty that the SD40-2 was on the horizon.

Truth is I think most of it was all a running joke and no one actually knew anything (let alone "a chosen few")... relax man. (and I am just ribbing you).

I think it is logical when looking at what to produce in n-scale to choose items that you can sell a lot of and get the best bang for your tooling buck. Coal hoppers are probably the easiest example. The SD40-2 is obviously a very prolific locomotive and would be on the short-list that could produce paint and trim variations for years and years. However there is a significant tooling investment to do these right as there were quite a few spotting differences across a wide variety of railroads and EMD variations. If you do them "right" you are looking at a LOT of work, a lot of up front investment and time to get them to market. Then you would constantly be working on new revisions and releases for literally years and years. It is a big commitment to do it properly and I would imagine that decision is tough and not taken lightly. Especially if there are so many other projects going on and factories that can't seem to produce on schedule.

IM has hinted at doing these (at least rumors) for a long while now.  I tend to agree that past offerings of IM haven't been quite as stellar compared to others, but we'll wait and see. So now we have two current manufacturers making them (Kato and IM). Is there room for more? I guess that depends on how many variations are produced. Obviously Kato has demonstrated (so far) that they aren't interested in producing a wide range of SD40-2 offerings. So that leaves a lot of room for IM to cover the rest of the field.

Is there room for another company?

- jamie

<Ah, found my very warm beer over here on the a$$hat bar...>

[Denver Road Doug]

No. By exquisite I mean it runs flawlesly out of the box, has exceptional detail, is an outstandingly smooth and well proportioned model.

Fair enough, I was going by the typical definition of exquisite.

Whatever the -2 project is has to be as good or better than anything currently (or soon to be) available, have DCC, and be comparably priced, or it will sit on the shelf and gather dust while others rotate out frequently.

So just because IMRC announced something, today, it trumps something that has been in the works an equal (if not longer) amount of time?  Sorry, timing means NOTHING if the IMRC's are junk...if they are, it simply won't matter.   Heck, if they're perfect it won't matter either.  The likelihood of three mfgs is high.  Like I've said (way back in the days of the tunnel motor announcements) I *hope* the IMRC's are great...it will be a good thing for everyone in this thread.   But IMRC saying they are great and them actually being great are two entirely different things.

Look at any "review" thread on this or any other forum. There are 3 basic reviews.

• Fine details and DCC, people bitch about the price.
• DCC and low price, people bitch about the low detail.
• Fine detail and low price, people bitch about the lack of DCC.

That's because those are the 3 corners of the triangle. The closer to one point you get, the further from the others you are. Unless the "-2 project" can somehow exist in all 3 corners, it's dead.

Aaaaand you still don't account for performance.   If you're making this argument 10 years ago, I might agree with your premise.  DCC isn't an option these days...and sound is rapidly becoming not an option. (not my preference, but that's what is happening)   If you substitute "performance" for DCC, then your little triangle thingy makes sense.   And you're acting is if all three cannot be acheived...Kato and Atlas are very close on most of their products.   Fox Valley is learning...they did a smart thing by copying Kato's 6-axle mech, and their tooling is pretty good from what I hear...decoration is still an issue, seems the Geep's mechs/frames were lighter than "desirable".   People are always going to bitch about price in n-scale model railroading because of the archaic premise that everybody has to have a dozen of each locomotive.  Back when there was no variety in the 70's and 80's, maybe that made sense...now it is just creating an artificial financial barrier to having really excellent products.   If we can ever get past that, these discussions will take on a whole new look.   We *SHOULD* be bitching about value.  Buy four at $95 street versus six at $75 street and you're gonna have a much, much better product. (notwithstanding decoders/sound at those prices)  That extra $20 gives us value...a little better designed frame with less cavity and heavier material, more slides to get more proto body shell options, and better designed details to make them fit better and allow for more varied configs.

It's vaporware anyway. If it were a real thing being championed by people with the wherewithal to do it, it would be done.

Ha, well we will see...maybe the IMRC announcement *IS* the Dash 2 project after all!   

BTW, are we allowed to bitch about ditchlights? 

[Denver Road Doug]

Here is some info on the BN's...

BN 6325
4/27/1995 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=19752
3/21/1998 http://archive.trainpix.com/BN/EMDORIG/SD40-2/6325.HTM
4/28/1998 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=34468
SD40-2 6397 Green & White Confirmed Ex BN 6325 Renumbered May-98
12/18/1998 Re#'ed and Patched http://archive.trainpix.com/BNSF/EMDORIG/SD40-2/6397.HTM
5/21/1999 http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=99792
05/2000 http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bnsf/bnsf6397aaf.jpg
(99% sure wrong date on photo of 6/1/2001) Re#'ed and Patched http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3141851
Overhead Shot: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=666846
Overhead Shot: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=666847
Overhead Shot: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1360974
Overhead Shot: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1569024

BN 6328
5/12/1990 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2157401
(99% Sure Wrong Date on photo of 1/11/2006) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=263392
SD40-2 6329 Heritage 1 Confirmed Ex BN 6328 Date Repainted: Mar-98
3/19/2000 Heritage I http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2384359
1/2/2006 Heritage I http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bnsf/bnsf6329adt.jpg

BN 6350
10/1991 http://archive.trainpix.com/BN/EMDORIG/SD40-2/6350.HTM
2/28/1993 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=19754
4/30/1996 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=963430
SD40-2 6376 Heritage 1 Confirmed Ex BN 6350 Repainted Feb-00 Renumbered Jul-98
7/19/1999 Re#'ed and Patched http://archive.trainpix.com/BNSF/EMDORIG/SD40-2/6376.HTM
7/19/2001 Heritage I http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1887759
9/17/2002 Heritage I http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bnsf/bnsf6376eha.jpg

BN 6353
4/14/1992 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=19755
1/16/1993 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1918144
12/24/1995 http://archive.trainpix.com/BN/EMDORIG/SD40-2/6353.HTM
12/25/1995 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2906793
?/1998? (99% sure wrong date on photo of 12/1/2000) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1999744
SD40-2 6387 Green & White Confirmed Ex BN 6353 Oct-98
9/14/2005 Re#'ed and Patched http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=242795

So, these are SQUARELY 90's only machines.  (which I'll still probably get, they're a better fit than the Kato's at least, and BN SD40-2's were just "waning" at that point...fact.)

[sundowner]

Caveat: Until they come with Flexcoil trucks I'm probably sitting this one out, unless I can swap out or modify the sideframes.

If the CSX and NS units are correct like the HO ones they should have the Flexi coils, the numbers are both Ex-Con units.

I hope they are good because you can never have to many SD40-2.

[kalbert]

And you're acting is if all three cannot be acheived...Kato and Atlas are very close on most of their products.

Atlas and Kato do make some fine locomotives, though some better than others, some archaic in design, some that have not been rerun in a decade, and some that while they may be accurate to some prototype are not available in many other popular configurations.

You can't please all the people all the time. Some people just simply can't be pleased at all.

[learmoia]

If the CSX and NS units are correct like the HO ones they should have the Flexi coils, the numbers are both Ex-Con units.

I hope they are good because you can never have to many SD40-2.

Man I Hope So


And I hope Intermountain sells the Flexi Coil side frame as a separate part for my fleet of Atlas SD50s!

~Ian

[soo]

With everything that has been said , or not said here.

I thought this was very fitting



   Wyatt

[oakcreekco]

I wonder if IM is developing their own trucks for these??

[oakcreekco]

With everything that has been said , or not said here.

I thought this was very fitting



   Wyatt

So is this, from a well know peddler. LOL

 





 
New Loco from InterMountain-SD40-2
 February 10

 Eight roads each with four road numbers
Will be available in traditional analog, with DCC and DCC with Sound
The Sound units will feature ESU LokSound Decoders. Non-Sound Units will Feature ESU LokPilot Decoders
Delivery Sometime in the future.
 
 

[wcfn100]

So I got an email back from Intermountain and they said the show in March was too soon for any samples of the SD40-2.

One interesting sentence in the email says

We have just released the reservation fliers this week and will be waiting to see the interest level for the model.

I wonder if there some outside chance it doesn't happen.  I've seen a lot of people supporting IM in this, but I've yet to hear anyone say they're ready to pre-order one.  I know the pricing just came out, but if this were a couple other companies, the line of open wallets would have started on page 1.



Jason