Though the SD40T-2 has the same boxy long hood as its bigger cousin, the SD45T-2, the easiest way to tell the two apart is to count the radiator-fan doors above the intake screens. The SD40T-2 has two, the SD45T-2 has three.
The SD40T-2 was produced from June 1974 until July 1980. During that time, 312 of the 3,000-hp units were manufactured. Three railroads, SP (229), Denver & Rio Grande Western (73), and SP-subsidiary St. Louis Southwestern (10), acquired the locomotives. Union Pacific inherited the SD40T-2s fol-lowing its acquisitions of SP and D&RGW. Some of the units have been spun off and can be found in lease service and on railroads such as the Indiana & Ohio; New York, Susquehanna & Western; Ohio Central; and Wheeling & Lake Erie, among others.
The m.u. hoses, rear sand-filler hatch, and uncoupling levers are omitted. These details can be added using aftermarket parts. The front and rear pilots have factory-drilled holes for easier installation of the hoses and levers.
The paint is smooth and evenly applied, and the orange lettering and striping is opaque. Small labels, such as fuel fill and emergency fuel cut-off, are legible under magnification.
One feature that stands out on the Rio Grande model is the screw-mounted, injection-molded plastic, 4,000-gallon fuel tank with filler neck, sight gauge, and flush-mount gauge detail. Modeler-installed tank details, such as breather and sump drain pipes, are included. Two small illustrations, which show where to put the fuel tank details, are printed on the instruction sheet with the exploded-view diagram of the model.
The detailed HT-C trucks are accurate for the D&RGW model, as are the 40″-diameter blackened metal wheels. One error, a carryover from the original model, is the short wheelbase. It should be 45′-5″, not 44′-5″. In HO scale the difference hardly noticeable.
Unlike the original model, this direct-current tunnel motor has a Quick Plug for installing a DCC decoder. Though the single incandescent bulb in the cab has been replaced with directional microbulb headlights, the intensity of the lights is still dependent on track voltage like before.
Though the SD40T-2 will operate on 18″ radius curves without difficulty, the overhang isn’t very realistic. Broader curves (22″ or larger) are better for the six-axle locomotive.
Price: $99.98
Manufacturer
Athearn Trains
1550 Glenn Curtiss St.
Carson, CA 90746
www.athearn.com
Description: Plastic-and-metal ready-to-run locomotive
Road names: Denver & Rio Grande Western; New York, Susquehanna & Western; Southern Pacific; Union Pacific; and undecorated (with 81″, 88″, or 123″ nose)
Blackened RP-25 contour wheelsets, correctly gauged
Celcon handrails
Digital Command Control decoder Quick Plug
Directional headlights
Drawbar pull: 3.2 ounces
McHenry magnetic knuckle couplers (at correct height)
Minimum radius: 18″
Positionable cab windows
Railroad-specific details
See-through air intake grills
Separately applied wire grab irons
Weight: 18 ounces
I have had 3 of these for a couple years now, and I love 'em. They run really well, very smooth. The plug-in DCC is handy. The detail is excellent and very much appreciated. The only negative is that the trucks were grossly over-lubricated by the factory. The extra lube very quickly makes bad crud on the wheels, stopping the locos from moving. You'll want to dis-assemble them, clean them dry, and re-lube sparingly.
Absolutely my all time favorite model and prototype!
I have two from the first run and am waiting for the snoot nosed ones to become available. Those are my favorite engines as I have seen many working there domains in the california mountains! Being from upstate N.Y.and never seeing them live, they were certainly a site to behold when I first saw them in action on the Tehachapi's for the first time. Nothing beats the show of power of trains like "The Tank Train" on it's uphill climb from Caliente!!!
Athearn should have redone these years ago! Maybe in the Genesis line too!
Over all….thank you Athearn! If it wasn't for you we'd be paying about $500. for brass versions!
NOW!!! all we need is a company like YOU Athearn, to produce some quality Milwaukee Road prototypes (such as Little Joes and Bi-Polars!)
Once again..Thank You Athearn!!
Patrick J. Huot phuot@twcny.rr.com
My only disappointment was the lack of the uncoupler levers, not a big deal but I thought they should have been installed as a normal part on the model. Other details I will put on myself. Runs very smoothly.
Sorry to contradict Mr. Goode but the Rio Grande does (or should) have a 4000 gallon tank; SP versions had 4400 gallon tanks. Beautiful model-can't wait to buy one
I have the SP version of the SD40T-2 (88" nose) by Athearn in a later release (SP #8529). I love this Tunnel Motor. The details are superb. I like that this later version has the hoses. The "front porch" is huge and just begs for putting figures there. The see-through grate shows the top of the truck and the drive shaft. If Athearn had used a special rear truck where 4 of the 6 wheels were driven or even a dummy truck for the rear, they could fully pull off the see-through illusion of the prototype.
Based upon this review/article, thanks MRR, I purchased 3 Tunnel Motors to pull coal drags on my SPSF Bayou Division. Out of the box the locomotives were extremely impressive, paint, markings, weight and general appearance are as impressive as the Athearn SD45T-2, in fact the locomotives are hard to tell apart. Great pullers for your unit trains. One point to look out for is to carefully go over the shell, I found a few parts loose or bent due to probable rough handling in shipment, normal hobby tools allow a quick fix. Another hit for Athearn
I liked the article, it makes me want to look at them at my Hobby shop and perhaps get one, THE PRICE IS RIGHT!
I got the DRG+W model and it was very good. Besides the initial start up jerking, I was very pleased with the product. Thank you MRR for the review which influenced my purchase and I hope that you have more reviews like this one. Great Product
Very nice, I like the detail and it is priced decent.Bravo!
I think that the Model Railroader magazine is one of the best RR magazines I have seen. It gives plenty of ideas for a novice like myself and it always has easy to read articles. Keep up the great work and thanks for a good practical mag.
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great modeli
Great looking and running models, I have two of the SP models install with DCC. However,I did notice one carryover error from the original models, the Rio Grande SD40T-2's do not carry the 4,000 gal; fuel tank,this only found on the SP's. I'am disappointed with the lack of hose and lever details, why just on Genisus models? Why can't they model in the SP nose lights on the Athearn SP/GP models they offer? I guess Athearn doesn't want to go the extra mile. I do hope they will at least offer the 123" nose in the Cotten Belt scheme, as on the proto type.
I have two from the first run (B&LE and Cotton Belt Bicentennial) and have put DCC decoders in both. They look and run great. I'm looking for a second B&LE unit (have #904)!
NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm waiting for my UP prototypes at the first glance it a great model
I have all 3 Susquehanna engines and they look great. All 3 will have the new sound and Digitrax DCC decoders installed.