O gauge SD40 by Atlas O
The SD40 hails from the early years of dieselization’s second generation of motive power. Cataloged from 1966 through 1972, the 3,000-horsepower locomotive utilized a common frame shared by the Electro-Motive Division’s SD38, SD39, SDP40, and SD45. More than 880 were built, and the model spawned a “dash-2” version, that sold more than 4,000 including all sub-variants.
Out of the box
This O gauge model from Atlas O looks terrific from stem to stern. The pilot finds eight multiple-unit lines and a brake line nestled around a snowplow. The front deck has safety tread, a drawbridge for accessing other units, and a safety chain across the gap in the handrails for the bridge.
Add-on grab irons can be found on the low hood nose. As I’ve noted in previous reviews of Atlas O locomotives, the grab irons are shaped like real grab irons and not merely like bits of wire slipped through holes in the shell. Two thumbs up for doing this minor detail right!
The cab has two crew figures, wiper arms, interior illumination, and a vertical twin beam headlight situated between the number boards. The body has a terrific level of cast-in detail, with seams, hinges, and detail points being well raised and “touchable.” The long-hood end differs with the addition of more grab irons (to reach the higher, cabless roof) and a twin-bean horizontal headlight.
The roof finds detail aplenty with see-through radiator fan screens (with fan blades clearly visible), lift rings, and a cap for sand near the end of the long hood. The model has a smoke unit, the exhaust for which is just ahead of the oval fans.
The die-cast metal truck frames look terrific. Especially nice are the delicate add-on brake lines.
While pretty much any Conrail paint scheme would be comparatively easy to reproduce on a model locomotive, Atlas gets an A+ for this one. While the Conrail logo and even the large block lettering of the bonds sales pitch aren’t a challenge, the little stars that explode out of the rail icon are outstanding. They are clean and crisp and have a variety of unique sizes. Toss in the red, white, and blue US Bonds eagle on the cab and you have something special for the Conrail enthusiast or the collector of unique paint schemes.
Completing the effect, the model has little dabs of color detailing, such as an EMD builder’s plate and locomotive nomenclature. Don’t miss the neat accents, includingred on the fuel tank sight gauge.
On the test track
The locomotive’s frame is approximately 15½ inches long (the length increases to 17 inches when you measure the oversize O gauge couplers. The model has two power pickup rollers on each truck, 3½ inches from its mate, combined for an overall pickup range of 12 inches.
The model has four traction tires mounted on the inward set of wheels on each truck. The center wheel set for each truck is flangeless.
The volume control is located on the belly of the fuel tank, while the sound on/off, speed control, smoke-unit, and run/program switches are on the frame beneath the cab. The 9-volt battery is installed by carefully removing the blister in the middle of the shell (lift the short-hood end first). Smoke fluid is added by dropping it into the exhaust, just ahead of the blister section.
The Lionel RailSounds system features the basic sound package for EMD diesels, and it sounds spot on. The bell will have you turning your head to look for moving freight cars, and the blast of the horn will bring a smile to your lips. All the TrainMaster Command Control functions, such as coil coupler operation, worked well.
We also loaded and tested this locomotive with Lionel’s new Legacy system. Legacy executed the model’s TMCC functions like a champ – so don’t worry about your standard TMCC-equipped gear having a suddenly shorted lifespan. This bad boy will be chugging along the tinplate rails for years.
Our low speed for the SD40 was 4.7 scale mph, while the high-end speed was 76.4 scale mph. Yes, it can go even faster – I just had a curve or two that threatened to launch the locomotive! Drawbar pull was a very robust 3 pounds.
We tested this model in conventional mode, with Lionel’s TrainMaster system and a CAB-1 and with Lionel’s Legacy system and CAB-2. Performance was top notch in all three realms.
I’ll confess a soft spot for second-generation diesel power, and the Atlas O SD40 is as nice a rendering of EMD’s big power as you’ll find. If Atlas hasn’t run your favorite SD40 road name, just hang around. It will be worth the wait.
Price: $479.95 (powered), $229.95 (unpowered)
Features O-45 operation two can-style motors, coil couplers, RailSounds and TrainMaster systems, speed control
Pros: Good rendering of a classic diesel prototype, great pulling power
Cons: None
Made in the People’s Republic of China for Atlas O
only one word nice engine
If I was into diesels, this is one I would consider buying. The only thing I'm do not like is the location of the on/off switch and volume control
Have a great Day.