Intermountain SD40-2

[jereising]

It uses a screw-less mechanism like recent Katos.

Does it have "sprung" trucks ala Kato as well?  Or the more standard truck design like Atlas or FVM?

[lock4244]

I'm puzzled by inconsistent mechanism reports as this is a proven split frame design. 

Mark

Design and execution are not one in the same. The IM's I have have differing degrees of noise level... some quiet, some not so much. Have returned two to IM for 'shopping', one came back inproved, one no change.

[Bendtracker1]

I think we need to have @peteski dissect one of these and give us a full report like he did with the Arnold SW1? 

[jagged ben]

Apart from the wheels, not sure why these HT-C trucks (same as Atlas) are getting so much hate ... ...
Mark

Well, for one thing, they are not well designed trucks and the problems with them have been discussed online for a decade or more. 

For another thing, the way IM used them on the new Sd40-2 mech, the walkways just sit too high.  I suppose that's not a criticism of the trucks per say, but a redesigned truck would be one way to fix the problem.

I would jump all over replacement truck frames and gear towers for these that were properly sized for Kato axles and adjusting the ride height.  And that also didn't have those little pins that break off requiring a stock of gear towers to be on hand for periodic replacements.

[Mark5]

Well, for one thing, they are not well designed trucks and the problems with them have been discussed online for a decade or more. 

Yes, I have read about them for ages but have not personally had any problems. It's almost like bigfoot for me, I keep hearing about it - maybe with these I will finally see it.

For another thing, the way IM used them on the new Sd40-2 mech, the walkways just sit too high.  I suppose that's not a criticism of the trucks per say, but a redesigned truck would be one way to fix the problem.

I'm curious about this - will see when the N&W SD40-2 finally comes out (next month?). Will definitely check this - thanks for mentioning it.

Mark

[CPR9009]

Got my 2 Chessie units yesterday.  They run pretty good so far.  After I took the pictures I noticed a few things.  Both have the horn sticking up on the sprue like they didn't push it down.  Paint looks a bit thick on the top and a bit light on the fuel tanks.  7602 has a glob of lube on sticking out on the back truck.  7614 has a few parts not quite in place like the DBs and the cab.

The blue is a bit brighter than any of the Atlas units I have.

Scott

[unittrain]

Got my Chessie also today, only problem so far is the rear hand railing is leaning inward looks like I just need to reattach it. All of N all it looks pretty good, the stripe and the railing should be more orange also (Vermillion orange).

[BCR751]

You guys are starting to scare me now.  Reading all the stuff that is wrong with these units makes me think the 4-year wait, so far, maybe hasn't been worth it.   Maybe I'll show it to Mr. Goodenough. If he passes it, I may just hold on to it 

Doug

[wazzou]

7614 has a few parts not quite in place like the DBs and the cab.

Scott

It looks like the frame on #7614 is bowed causing the cab to tip forward or the cab leaning forward is causing the bow in the frame?

[wazzou]

You guys are starting to scare me now.  Reading all the stuff that is wrong with these units makes me think the 4-year wait, so far, maybe hasn't been worth it.   Maybe I'll show it to Mr. Goodenough. If he passes it, I may just hold on to it 

Doug

Like a lot of Intermountain's product, I think it's best to examine one in a LHS, if feasible before taking it home. 
I tend to believe that their factory that assembles models isn't quite on the same level as the one Jason from Rapido shared in his video, IMO only of course.

[Mark5]

Sound units from this batch now up on MBK.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sound units from this batch now up on MBK.

Yep.

My wife just picked mine up. How did I know?

I got a text message: "$800?!?!?!?!"

[davefoxx]

Yep.

My wife just picked mine up. How did I know?

I got a text message: "$800?!?!?!?!"

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  What were you thinking sending her in to pick them up?

DFF

[mu26aeh]

Yep.

My wife just picked mine up. How did I know?

I got a text message: "$800?!?!?!?!"

That never would have happened in this house.  I wouldn't send my wife to pick up 1 engine, much less 4. 

[Jbub]

My LHS has a sign at the register that reads "For an extra 3.99 we can change the receipt to represent what you told your wife you paid for your trains" 

Jbub