Intermountain SD40-2

[asarge]

If Ed or Mark or anybody could get a decent picture of the IC&E. I'd 'preciate it. 

[drgw0579]

Here's Intermountain's photo:

http://www.intermountain-railway.com/n/html/69324.htm

If I compare these photos to one I took on a really clear, but cold day, it would appear the prototype yellow may be darker.  Then I goggled for IC&E 6404, I got this set: http://rrpicturearchives.net/Locopicture.aspx?id=31764
But when you start looking at other units, you see slight variations in the colors.   In fact, on 6416, the yellow looks much closer to the model. These probably didn't get painted all at the same time, and the shade was susceptible to dirt and fading.  Maybe manufacturers need to post a disclaimer that "paint was accurate on unit xxxx on xx/xx/xxxx located at xxxxxxx".

Bill Kepner

[asarge]

The first time I went out to the Mississippi Valley, I caught 2 IC&E trains and they all had a lighter blue color.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1019101

the second time, the units looked darker.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1441369

I see your point, but the picture looked more like a CSX Blue.

[GonzoCRFan]

I sure am glad nobody at Intermountain decided to do enough research to know the CSX and NS ones they released are ex-Conrail, and should have the Flexicoil trucks. Ball-garglers...

[mu26aeh]

Well, they also missed the NS 3399 was never in the scheme that is released, it went from CR blue to NS Horsehead.  Other 3 road numbers are fine. 

I have the HO version, very nice !  But I just looked and guess which number I have 

[Rossford Yard]

I just installed the Kato wheelsets in my IM SD45-2 yesterday.  It's running really well, and I was careful to ensure that those plastic tabs on the trucks to keep the body level weren't broken.  Good to go.  It's still running quiet, although I did not open up the frame halves enough to disturb the driveline.  I only loosened the screws enough for the trucks to practically drop out.

Before: IM wheelsets. "Ew!":



After: Kato wheelsets:



If the IM SD40-2 runs as well or better than this SD45-2, I'm in, even if I have to swap out more wheelsets!

DFF

What's involved in switching the wheel sets?  Think I may want to do that. They look better, and I have always thought the Kato wheels stay a bit cleaner, perhaps due to a higher grade metal?

Just ordered one from MBK.  Oddly, got the sound bug from putting a Lionel Polar Express under the Xmas tree this year.  Think the horn, bell, etc. will add to ops sessions. I ordered the GATX for my little switching layout......like the CSX scheme, but figured I would keep my little road an independent operation, LOL.

[mu26aeh]

I just got notice my order arrived at LHS.  Will be picking them up in the morning, and they will get a break in session at @R L Smith 's open house !!

[davefoxx]

What's involved in switching the wheel sets?  Think I may want to do that. They look better, and I have always thought the Kato wheels stay a bit cleaner, perhaps due to a higher grade metal?

Couldn't be much easier.  Take a small screwdriver and pop the bottom cover off of the truck, giving you access to the wheelsets and gears.  Pop each wheelset out and replace it with a Kato wheelset.  The gears already line up, so you can even use the Kato axle and gear.  Pop the bottom cover back on, double check the gauge, and you're off.

DFF

[C855B]

Couldn't be much easier.  Take a small screwdriver and pop the bottom cover off of the truck, giving you access to the wheelsets and gears.  Pop each wheelset out and replace it with a Kato wheelset.  The gears already line up, so you can even use the Kato axle and gear.  Pop the bottom cover back on, double check the gauge, and you're off.

Best to check the gauge on the Kato wheelsets before. Adjusting the gauge in the truck is tricky and subject to oopsies. I have found something like 50-60% of the replacement sets I have are a touch narrow, narrow enough to give grief on Atlas C55 turnouts. Just make sure the flanges are centered in both dimples on an NMRA gauge.

[davefoxx]

@C855B,

Agreed.  I should have been clearer.  My statement to "double-check" the gauge meant to gauge the Kato wheelsets as you drop them in, which is what I do, too.

DFF

[ljudice]

I sure am glad nobody at Intermountain decided to do enough research to know the CSX and NS ones they released are ex-Conrail, and should have the Flexicoil trucks. Ball-garglers...

I emailed them 2 years ago about this and they replied, thanking me and saying the info would be passed on....

What is so stupid is both CSX and NS had plenty of correct units, so the problem could be fixed with paint/lettering.

[Mark5]

If Ed or Mark or anybody could get a decent picture of the IC&E. I'd 'preciate it. 

They were all gone.

I did take a few crappy pics with my cell - they didn't screw up the numberboards like Kato did. Separately applied handrails. There is something wrong with the cab window casting - this needs to be fixed in future runs (should be easy fix for IMRC). The frame mounted bell looks nice. I think Atlas is now lagging behind Kato on the loco wheels, we need to start pushing Atlas on this (the trucks are Atlas I think).

[unittrain]

So far so good, thanks for posting those close ups.😎 Going to be getting Chessie and a Conrail when they are released.

[mu26aeh]

Pics coming soon. I ended up walking out with two 

[nkalanaga]

I tested mine today.  The appearance of the wheels doesn't bother me, as they're hard to see when the trains moving at normal viewing distance.  What bothers me is something I haven't seen mentioned, if it has been:  the flanges.

The newest Atlas loco I have, their S2, runs fine on ME code 40 flextrack.  My newest Katos, the SDP40F, also runs fine, although in my case, they shouldn't ever get off the C55 mainline.

The IM wheels don't like C40 flextrack, as the flanges are too deep.  The IM freight car wheels are good, so why the deep flanges on the newer locomotives?  This does matter to me, as my MILW interchange is laid with C40, and the MILW had quite a few SD40-2s, although my new ones are BN.

Guess I'll have to change the wheels anyway.  Probably easier than turning the flanges.

On the positive side, all of the wheelsets were in gauge, and the wheels don't wobble, so if you have only C55 or larger track, or entirely handlaid C40, they run nicely.