The Bachmann SD40-2 has landed

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Are you tired of SD40-2 releases? I hope not! Bachmann has a brand new model out. Let's take a look.

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The body is a mid-phase unit with corrugated radiators and small anticlimber. This is not a particularly popular phrase in real life. Most of the units I found with this were owned by NS, which is why I purchased this unit.


The nose is 84" long. Too short for a true mid phase, but to long for an early. This compares with BLI's model at 78", I'M at 86" and ST at 90".

Paint and details are good. Everything is molded on. The DB booster is separate, so I'm going to guess we'll see non DB models soon.

There are a few details missing, like the walkway/step seam on the conductor's side. I'M forgot this too. Also missing on the conductor's side is the battery box below the cab. The panel is flat and looks like they intended to mill the tooling but forgot. I would rate the body a 7 out of 10 only because the ST model is so good. This will look right at home with older models like the Atlas SD60M and B23-7.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

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That dust bin is too damn short!

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Fans look good for molded plastic.

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So the model uses a Next18 socket. Nice!

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Large barrel cap. Not sure the use here.

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This is the Soundtraxx Econami. No Econami Next18 decoders are listed from Soundtraxx. Maybe it is a TSU N18? It sounds great whatever it is.

At the current street price of over $200, these are no value. Eventually, Bachmann usually closes out their old inventory. If these hit $100 street, they would be a steal.

[davefoxx]

What’s going on with the sideframe of the lead truck on the fireman’s side?  (See your second picture in your first post above.)

DFF

[peteski]

I love those Bachmann N scale knuckle couplers!   

If that large can-type cap is for keep-alive functionality, 220µF is rather low value for that.  It might be used for AC coupling of the audio amp to the speaker, but if that's the case the audio circuity is a vintage old-school design. The decoder also uses rather large SMD devices (compared to ESU or ZIMO, or even Digitrax).  Maybe the decoder is also Bachmann designed item.

But I don't have much experience with either TCS or Soundtraxx sound decoders, so maybe it is made by one of those companies.  The violet colored solder mask might be a clue as to the manufacturer. Does TCS or Soundtraxx use that color solder mask on their branded decoders?

[Mark5]

Overall the model looks pretty nice.

The "F" is on the wrong end for this unit. 

Walkways look smooth as glass. 

Wrong trucks, no bell on the top of the long hood end.

Ok, I'm done. 

[Jimbo]

Hmm… wondering if it’s just an update to the Spectrum model released in 1995?

If it’s all-new tooling, it’s disappointing that it didn’t match the appearance and performance of the recently-reviewed ALC-42 (by @spookshow ).  Bachmann knows how to make a quality product.  Not sure why they decided to shortcut this one.

Of course, if it’s a re-release, then we’ll get the compromises that came with the original model.  (Appearance-wise, that is.  I’m eager to hear about its performance.)

Jim

[tehachapifan]

What’s going on with the sideframe of the lead truck on the fireman’s side?  (See your second picture in your first post above.)

DFF

Definitely looks like part of it is melted.

[peteski]

Definitely looks like part of it is melted.

To me it looks like the truck is painted and the paint is peeling. There als appears to be some other schmutz there.

[MK]

I believe Soundtraxx is purple.

[carlso]

Hey gang, I looked at this posting and all I see is another piece of garbage put out by B'mann.  Why a Company will let this obvious QC miss get delivered. Looks melted to me. Note the 3 holes on the rear portion of side frame are gone. Real sweet! I bet this unit runs real nice ? I brightened and increased exposure to see the issue better.
 

[spookshow]

Hmm… wondering if it’s just an update to the Spectrum model released in 1995?

I doubt it. The shell detailing is all different and the chassis is completely redesigned.

-Mark

[Dave V]

Bachmann's gonna Bachmann...

I could really lose my sanity if I tried to come up with legitimate reasons for some of their design decisions...like the slick-a$$ walkways and platforms.

Oh well...not in the market for one anyway. I do wish they'd fire off another round of the non-streamlined K4s, but thankfully I kept my two from the first release.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

What’s going on with the sideframe of the lead truck on the fireman’s side?  (See your second picture in your first post above.)

DFF

This was a blob of grease. It came off with a toothbrush.

FWIW, this model closely follows the HO model and I think they just shrunk their shell design.

[basementcalling]

Bachmann's gonna Bachmann...

Truer words were never spoken.

Botchman strikes again.

[dem34]

non zero chance its a response to the common bemoanment of a lot of the younger crowd in the hobby. If you go on places like reddit for a bit theres constant requests for lower fidelity cheaper ( )  models of common equipment. It seems ScaleTrains is going to have the higher end of the SD40-2s wrapped for a bit, Bman seems keenly aware these will be on Trainworld for $140 in a month or two.