Prototype History

In January 1972, Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors would build the first production models of a locomotive design that would prove to be legendary: the SD40-2. The flagship of the “Dash-2” series of 1972, the SD40-2 would build upon the lessons learned from its predecessor, the SD40. While the sixteen-cylinder 645E3 turbocharged prime mover remained the same from its SD40 cousin, the SD40-2 boasted a modular, solid-state electrical system, which featured removable “cards” in place of troublesome relays in its high-voltage cabinet, greatly simplifying electrical troubleshooting and repairs.

Externally, the biggest change was the use of the new HT-C three-axle truck in place of the Flexi-coil C of the SD40. The new truck promised greater adhesion, and was longer than the Flexi-coil C, necessitating an increase of the length of the SD40-2s frame to an overall length of 68’, 10” over the couplers. This also had the effect of giving the SD40-2 its characteristic long walkway “porches” at each end. Other small external improvements, such as longer battery box compartments, rear overhang on the cab roof, and drip rail over the front cab door, added to the list of external differences between it and the SD40.

Domestic production of the SD40-2 continued until July 1984 making it one of EMD’s most popular locomotives of all time. Many remain in service today, both with original owners as well as secondhand operators. Within the last five years, Norfolk Southern and CSX have rebuilt hundreds of SD40-2s to extend their operating life. This will ensure this venerable locomotive’s presence on U.S. rails for decades to come.

 

Rivet Counter SD40-2 Locomotives Also Feature

• Fully-assembled (except undecorated)

• Multiple road numbers

• Printed and LED lighted number boards

• Dimensionally accurate truck centers

• Scale sectioned treadplate detail on the walkways

• Underbody frame rail with separate plumbing and traction motor cables

• Accurate hood door and long hood detail

• Accurately profiled dynamic brake housings

• See-through dynamic brake intakes with resistor grid detail

• Detailed cab interior with separate floor, rear wall, seats, and standard AAR control stand

• Sliding cab windows

• Factory-applied wire grab irons, wire lift rings, windshield wipers, snowplows, horns, coupler cut levers, trainline hoses with silver gladhands, sand hatch covers, and much more

• Semi-scale coupler buffer equipped with ScaleTrains.com durable metal semi-scale E Type knuckle couplers

• Directional LED headlights

• All-wheel drive

• All-wheel electrical pick-up

• Motor with 5-pole skew wound armature

• Dual flywheels

• Printing and lettering legible even under magnification

• Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors whenever possible

• Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail

• Packaging safely stores model

• Minimum radius: 18”

• Recommended radius: 22”

• DCC & sound equipped locomotives also feature
  • ESU LokSound 5 DCC & Sound decoder with “Full Throttle”
  • Dual cube-type speakers
  • EMD 16 Cylinder 645E3 prime mover
  • ESU designed “PowerPack” with two super capacitors
  • Operates on both DC and DCC layouts*
• DC/DCC & sound ready locomotives also feature
  • Operable using a DC power pack
  • DCC ready with 21-pin connector

* some sound and lighting function on DCC & sound equipped models are not operable using DC

 

Road Number Specific ScaleTrains

Union Pacific/Fast Forty

• Era: As delivered, series 8077-8095, built 1979 Phase IId2

• Road numbers 8077, 8080, 8094 and 8099

• UP “Fast Forties” – prototype was modified with high speed gearing to lash-up with DDA-40X “Centennial” locomotives

• Operating LED Saturn 6552 Strobe Light

• Operating LED tricolor flush-mounted class lights with raised gasket

• Front and rear tall pilot plow with high trainline hose cut out, MU hose doors and grab irons

• 88″ low short hood with wheel handbrake

• Rectangular walkway lights mounted between sandbox clean out doors (non-operating)

• Bolted battery box doors with wide louvers

• Late cab sub-base doors with lift-off hinges

• Front and rear late small deck extension

• Late “fixed” drop step

• “Tall” stepwells with see-through steps

• Dash two cab with welded side window panels

• Standard EMD sunshades and short sunshade tracks

• Standard EMD headlight in number board housing

• Tall clear wind wings mounted fore and aft of cab side window on right side of cab

• Rear cab side vent on left side

• Leslie RS-3-LR Horn mounted on number board housing

• Motorola ASP-16 “Firecracker” antenna mounted on number board housing

• Early electrical cabinet “zig-zag” seam, further from rear of cab

• Welded ECAFB (late)

• Late inertial air intake grilles with top and bottom drip rail

• Extended-range dynamic brakes without batten strip

• Corrugated radiator intake grilles

• See-through standard 48” radiator fan housings with fan blades visible inside

• Curved radiator fan grab iron

• Straight uncoupling levers with loop handles front and rear; two inner and two outer mounting brackets

• Handrail set with inward facing end rail mounting brackets; chain and break-away stanchions on both ends

• 3-hose MU hose clusters with silver gladhands

• Deck mounted MU receptacle

• Spare knuckle holders on fuel tank near fuel filler

• Notched pilot faces without lifting holes or slots

• Short jacking pads (late)

• Forward engineer’s side sidesill notch

• Flush-mount EFCO

• Rearward facing handbrake chain mount for HTC trucks

• Frame-mounted steel bell

• Salem air filter (accordion style)

• 4,000-gallon fuel tank with fuel fillers, vertical gauge and round gauge on stand

• Detailed HT-C trucks with Hyatt bearing caps, late center axle snubbers, sanding lines and brackets, and D-77 traction motor and air duct details

• Speed recorder mounted to first axle left front

 

Order Due Date: February 3, 2020

Anticipated Delivery Date: October 2020

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