An Electro-Motive Division SD40T-2 is making its debut in the ScaleTrains N scale diesel locomotive lineup. The all-new Rivet Counter line model features plastic and die-cast metal construction, a five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels, and all-wheel drive and electrical pickup.
Prototype history
Southern Pacific approached EMD looking for a locomotive that would address overheating issues at high altitudes and in tunnels and snowsheds. The diesel builder came back with the SD45T-2 tunnel motor in February of 1972. The units featured radiators on top of the long hood and air intakes at the bottom of the engine locker. The design was adapted for the popular SD40-2 in 1974, resulting in the SD40T-2.
Between June 1974 and July 1980, 312 SD40T-2 diesels were produced. Espee had the biggest fleet with 229, followed by Denver & Rio Grande (73), and St. Louis Southwestern (10). The 3,000 hp locomotives were equipped with a 116-645E3C diesel engine, an AR10 alternator, and D77 traction motors.
The sample we received is decorated as Union Pacific 8803. The prototype was built in May 1980 as Southern Pacific 8259. The six-axle road unit was originally painted in SP’s scarlet-and-gray scheme with Roman lettering. It became part of the UP fleet following the railroad’s September 1996 acquisition of the SP. In Sept. 1999, the 8259 was one of 11 SD40T-2 diesels repainted in a simplified scarlet-and-gray scheme at SP’s Roseville, Calif., shops.
Southern Pacific 8259 was renumbered UP 8803 on Aug. 21, 2001. It was later repainted in UP’s Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray scheme. The locomotive was retired on April 12, 2010.
Model features
The ScaleTrains SD40T-2 has an amazing level of detail. Freestanding m.u. and train line hoses and plastic uncoupling levers are on the front and rear pilots. A late SP-style snow plow with the grab irons picked in white is attached to the front pilot. Spare knuckles painted a rust color are molded on the rear pilot.
The unit’s Espee heritage is evident by looking at the front and rear headlight packages. The locations where the red Pyle-National Gyralites were located are plated over. Other telltales of the diesel’s past include SP blue flag brackets and a modified “L” front window on the engineer’s side.
Additional factory-applied details on the body shell include wire grab irons, cab sunshades, wind wings framing the cab windows, a Vapor Corp. air conditioner on the cab, a whip-style radio antenna on a ground plane, and a lost-wax brass RS-3L-R three-chime air horn. The dynamic brake fans are particularly well executed, with etched-metal screens and visible fan blades.
The star of the show is the radiator section. The air intakes feature see-through, etched-metal screens. The truck gear tower is visible through the front screens. The rooftop exhaust grills are also etched metal; the radiator shutters are visible below the grills.
Underneath, the model rides on HT-C trucks with Hyatt bearing caps, center axle snubbers, and outboard sanding lines and brackets. The 8803 has a speed recorder cable on the front truck on the brakeman’s side. The screw-mounted 4,400-gallon fuel tank has reinforced edges and dual fuel fillers and vertical gauges. The bottom of the casting has 18 holes, which allow the sounds from the cube-type speaker to escape.
On the test track
Our sample is neatly painted in UP’s Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray. The separate lines between colors are crisp, and the lettering placement matches prototype photos I found online.
To separate the shell from the chassis, I removed the front and rear draft-gear boxes. The motor and flywheels are located above the fuel tank. A screw-mounted weight is attached to the top of the die-cast metal chassis. The motherboard and ESU LokSound V5 decoder are attached to the top of the weight.
The model we received features an ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder. I first tested the unit on the test track with an NCE Power Cab. The model hesitated a bit at step 1. The SD40T-2 smoothed out at step 2, running a 3 scale mph. At step 28, the six-axle road unit hustled along at 119 scale mph. The full-size units had a top speed of 70 mph. The locomotive has a drawbar pull of .64 ounce, equivalent to 15 free-rolling freight cars on straight and level track.
I then took the SD40T-2 over to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout, which features a Digitrax DCS-210+ DCC system. The unit performed without issue on the layout’s 18” radius curves and No. 6 turnouts.
The team at ScaleTrains knocked it out of the park with the N scale EMD SD40T-2. The level of detail is on brand with the Rivet Counter line; the realistic sounds are just icing on the cake. This is certainly one of the finest plastic N scale locomotive models I’ve seen pass through our offices.
Watch a video of the N scale EMD SD40T-2 from ScaleTrains on Trains.com.
Facts & features
Price: Direct-current model with E24 connector, $149.99; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $254.99
Manufacturer
ScaleTrains
4901 Old Tasso Rd. NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
scaletrains.com
Era: June 1974 to present (varies depending on paint scheme)
Road names: Union Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande Western, and Southern Pacific.
Features
- Body-mounted plastic couplers, at correct height
- Metal wheel stubs mounted on plastic drive axle gears, in gauge
- Minimum radius, 93⁄4”, recommended radius, 11”
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
