Broadway Limited Imports HO BlueLine SD40-2 diesel

A factory-sound equipped HO scale SD40-2 is now available as a DC model from Broadway Limited Imports. Part of the firm’s BlueLine series, the model uses the same tooling as the previously released Digital Command Control (DCC)-and-sound equipped version [See the review in the May 2005 issue. – Ed.] but features a new BLI-designed sound board that can operate on DC layouts. With the addition of a BLI/Precision Craft Models DCMaster Analog Control Module, the model has many of the same programmable features as its DCC-equipped cousin.

Produced between 1972 and 1986, the SD40-2 was the all-time-best-selling locomotive of General Motors Electro-Motive Division. The SD40-2 served on railroads across North America, and EMD delivered 3,126 to United States railroads alone.

The BlueLine model matches photos of a standard version as-delivered by EMD. The BlueLine SD40-2 is within scale inches of prototype drawings in the Model Railroader Cyclopedia Volume 2: Diesel Locomotives. [Currently out of print. – Ed.]

BlueLine SD40-2 diesel
Price: $169.99
Manufacturer
Broadway Limited Imports
4 Signal Ave., Ste. C
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Description: Ready-to-run plastic and metal HO diesel
Road names: (Two road numbers each) Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Baltimore & Ohio (Chessie System); Burlington Northern Santa Fe; Canadian National (sublettered Grand Trunk Western); Florida East Coast; Milwaukee Road; Norfolk Southern; Union Pacific; undecorated

Appearance. The BlueLine diesel’s body is made of plastic and features molded and separately applied details. See-through steps, nonskid tread on walkways, separate handgrabs, and painted engineer and fireman figures add to the model’s overall good looks. Some of the molded detail, notably the latches along the cab battery boxes, should have been engraved deeper, as the paint makes these details nearly unrecognizable.

Our sample came decorated as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe no. 5032, which was one of an order for 172 SD40-2s delivered to the railroad between 1977 and 1981. Most of the model’s livery matched prototype photos except for its white end handrails and uncoupling levers. These parts are yellow on the prototype.

Overall paint coverage is smooth, and the lettering is crisp and opaque. EMD builder’s plates are printed neatly on the sides of the frame.

The American flag on the fireman’s side has a rectangular shadow in the upper right corner of the stripes. It appears as if this flag was originally printed facing the opposite direction, then was later covered with a flag facing its current correct position.

The HTC trucks are painted silver, but the separately applied brake cylinders are gray unpainted plastic. These should be painted silver to match the prototype. A BLI representative said that they hoped to correct this for the rest of the production run.

Under the hood. Most of the model’s weight comes from its die-cast metal frame and fuel tank, which is hollow to accommodate the can motor and brass flywheels. Two universal shafts connected to the motor transfer power to low-profile gearboxes over each truck.

An additional die-cast metal weight fits over the motor and has the printed-circuit board mounted to it. Unlike the dual-speaker-equipped DCC version, the BlueLine SD40-2 features a single speaker mounted vertically behind the weight over the rear truck.

The BlueLine SD40-2 is designed for easy conversion to DCC. After removing the body shell, I unplugged the smaller control board from the main sound board, revealing an NMRA-recommended 8-pin decoder socket. I installed an NCE N14IP decoder into our sample, and the SD40-2’s functions all operated correctly.

Performance. The BLI SD40-2 has a higher starting voltage than a typical non-sound-equipped HO diesel. The sound system started at 4 volts, featuring the rumble of the EMD prime mover. At 7 volts, the headlight and number boards shone brightly. At just under 8 volts, the model began to move.

In DC, the model’s starting speed was a bit high at 12 scale miles per hour. However, the BlueLine SD40-2’s top speed of 68 mph at 12 volts is a near perfect match to one of the prototype’s common gear ratios.

After I installed the DCC decoder and set the speed control to 28 steps, the SD40-2’s starting speed was 8 mph. The model accelerated linearly to a top speed of 79 mph in step 28.

I ran the BlueLine SD40-2 through an 18″ curve of Atlas track without any difficulty. The model’s sound system remained constant as it pulled and then pushed a short freight train of 40-foot boxcars through an Atlas no. 6 turnout.

The model has great pulling power. The SD40-2 can haul the equivalent of 65 HO scale freight cars on straight and level track.

SD40-2 features
All-wheel electrical pickup
Blackened metal RP-25 contour wheels (mounted in gauge)
Die-cast metal frame tank
Drawbar pull: 4.7 ounces
Factory-installed sound system
Can motor with dual flywheels
Magnetic knuckle couplers (mounted at the correct height)
Minimum radius: 18″
NMRA recommended 8-pin DCC socket
Weight: 1 pound 4 ounces

Programmable sound. Straight out of the box, the SD40-2 features realistic sound, including increased or decreased diesel rpms depending on the locomotive’s speed, brake squeal, and engine start up and shut down sequences. However, to experience the full capabilities of the model’s sound system, you need to purchase a DCMaster Analog Control Module, available from BLI or Precision Craft Models (suggested retail price $39.99).

The DCMaster has bell and horn buttons, allowing the user to trigger these features on the model. I especially enjoyed the realistic horn on the model, which plays both short and long blasts depending on how long you hold down the button. The DCMaster’s “AUX” button controls two additional factory-programmed sounds – an air compressor when the locomotive is stopped and the dynamic brake blower when it’s underway.

The DCMaster also allows you to set many of the BlueLine model’s configuration variables (CVs) without a DCC system. I could adjust volume levels of different sound features as well as make the rate of the mechanical bell faster or slower. By changing CV 222 to a value of 1, I made the AUX button trigger a coupler crash sound instead of its factory defaults.

Other programmable features include setting the locomotive’s position in a multi-unit consist, which automatically adjusts lighting and sound to match.

Despite some painting quirks, the BlueLine SD40-2 is a solid performer. Ready to run and upgradable to DCC, the model is a great way to expand your sound-equipped diesel roster.