Intermountain SD40-2

[squirrelhunter]

ek2000, you are right in my opinion about the customer service. I have dealt with Kato, BLI, Atlas, and IM either for service or to get spare parts, and have always talked to folks willing to go out of their way to help. I know the people stateside frequently have to deal with what their factory has sent them, which makes their efforts even more commendable.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I get some of you are very happy with your SD40-2's. But I don't think not being able to get the cab to sit straight on the shell and frame is a minor defect to be overlooked. I've been very happy with how IM has worked to exchange my units, but I don't think that means we shouldn't talk about issues their models may have.

I'm not saying we shouldn't be talking about issues we experience, but I think there's a big difference between that and some of the rather mean spirited comments we sometimes see here.

[Mark W]

...but I don't think that means we shouldn't talk about issues their models may have.

We should absolutely discuss the pros and cons of these products.  It may not be apparent at times, but manufactures definitely monitor our constructive feedback. (Whether some of it is in their control due to offshore manufacturing is a different topic).   The difference in this thread, are a few instances where the feedback is anything but constructive.  Wishing for an entire product run to fail is not helpful to anyone. 


Sure, it sucks to shell out some extra train funds for shipping for warranty service.  But there's options to limit that.  If you have a LHS, talk with them.  They may have reason to send a package to HQ already and can piggy-back your warranty item for free.  Or they may have means to fix the issue in house themselves.  You can attempt the fix at home too, but connect with the manufacturer beforehand and show pictures of the defect; let them know you're willing to attempt the fix so long as any further 'oops' will still be covered. 
I had two cases from two manufacturers where I thought parts were needed.  While they were in transit, I continued to tinker and ended up fixing each one.  Both manufacturers assured me I didn't need to spend money on shipping to return the parts I no longer needed.  One case was a pair of motors, knowing their value to someone else in need of service I returned them anyway.  The other was a few details which were re purposed and put to good use.

We can talk till the cows come home about "Yeah, but they should be perfect straight from the manufacturer.", but this is the real world.  Mistakes happen.  And if anyone somehow think that some of these issues are a big con, look up Hanlon's razor.

[squirrelhunter]

Ed, I get what you are saying, and you are right that being snarky about this kind of stuff doesn't help.

At the end of the day, I think the design of the IM SD40-2 is sound, and the issues I've had are assembly driven. Based on the ones I've sent back and the MKT where I was able to get the cab to sit correctly, I think the culprit is in the tabs that secure the cab to the sub base or the sub base to the walkway. However, since the handrails are spot glued on in couple of places on the ones I've gotten so far, I didn't disassemble things to that level.

I also have a theory that some paint schemes have more issues that others- such as my small sample of MKT units or my MP units or the Chessie ones in this thread. My Conrail unit has no assembly issues and I've seen several UP snoots and other ones from the first batch at local trainshows for sale that are also good to go out of the box.

[soo]

Finally got the whole family!!





And they are sound equipped..now watch IMRC come out with the as delivered scheme..steeper angle and 48" radius curve on the red/ white seperation.

Adios, wyatt

[MK]

You need gloves to handle those pristines!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man Wyatt, that's excellent! It's a good day, eh?

[Bendtracker1]

Looks good Wyatt!
Now you need to get them weathered, they're too clean!

[soo]

Thanks for the replies guys!!
     A good day, you got that right. As for weathering,,my skills are not worthy for that model(s).
We have a train show in my area in a couple of months...maybe I can talk to the ntrak guys so I can put some miles on them.

Adios,Y-it

[GM50 4164]

I wasn't to sold on the IM SD40-2, but I've started to warm up to them. My biggest concern was the massive gap over the trucks, but with an added frame and Kato wheelsets it looks like that can be fixed. It does seem like there is a big gap between the fuel tank and rails. Would Kato wheelsets fix that, or is the tank just off?

What exactly needs to be done to use the kato wheelsets for the IM SD40-2? I've read people doing something just unsure exactly what is being done.

[Rossford Yard]

Wyatt,

I have seen a few MILW on eBay and Train Life, even an ICG for foreign road power.  Slacker! Should have them by now, LOL>

I love mine, (except the former one that didn't pass the 5 foot drop kick test) but find myself holding back, just wondering if the other new ones will be better, either the SD40-2, or some of Atlas upcoming offerings, so won't buy any more for now.

Of course, going to KC in a few weeks...if the deals are right, my history of holding to that promise are, uh, rather slim.

[C855B]

I had a chance to chat with an IM rep at last weekend's RPM show in St. Louis. After giving him friendly grief about "the first UP version you guys did was ex-CNW!" He chuckled, knowing what was coming - I queried about the first batch the pre-merger UP purchased which had details not represented in anything they've produced or announced so far. He said, "Not announced yet, but soon."

[squirrelhunter]

I need to post some pics, I got my MP unit back and bought a C&NW unit as well.

3rd time was a charm with Intermounain's customer service on the MP unit- the on they sent me is perfect in all respects- no glue anywhere, no missing parts, everything aligned perfectly.

The C&NW one was also pretty much perfect out of the box. Only issue was the rear number board on one side was loose in the box. A little CA and it was good as new.

After these two, I definitely see why some folks earlier in the thread have been so happy with their engines. When put together right, they really do run and look great (like Wyatt's quartet).

[jagged ben]

What exactly needs to be done to use the kato wheelsets for the IM SD40-2? I've read people doing something just unsure exactly what is being done.

The Kato wheelsets just swap in, although the axle length is a little longer so you'll get more friction and potential long term wear on the pickups.  They are better looking wheels, however I don't know why anyone would think they would fix ride height or other issues of proportions with the model.

The trucks are the same as Atlas SD50/60, and IM tunnel motors and SD45-2.

[jagged ben]

I had a chance to chat with an IM rep at last weekend's RPM show in St. Louis. After giving him friendly grief about "the first UP version you guys did was ex-CNW!" He chuckled, knowing what was coming - I queried about the first batch the pre-merger UP purchased which had details not represented in anything they've produced or announced so far. He said, "Not announced yet, but soon."

I thought the one I got was pre-merger.  I'll have to check.