Athearn SD40-2

[gtcr98]

Can anyone tell me if there are any dimensional or quality differances between the old Athearn SD40-2 and the latest version? Thanks in advance. Gary Taylor

[rf16a]

Some features of old vs new include:
Old: molded on grab irons.
New: no molded on grab irons.
Old: metal hand rails.
New: thinner plastic handrails.
New: couplers and body attach with screws.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rf16a

Some features of old vs new include:
Old: molded on grab irons.
New: no molded on grab irons.
Old: metal hand rails.
New: thinner plastic handrails.
New: couplers and body attach with screws.

New: Also slightly better motor and drive train.
Old: Body attached with visible pins
New: Body held on by clips through fuel tank and screws on coupler boxes (amendment to above)

[Anonymous]

The other difference is that now there are newer variations available, with Q fans for instance.

[AntonioFP45]

Out of curiousity,

Do any of you that own this unit: Does it have the GROWL?

I've owned Athearns for years and other than my recent purchases I had decided not purchase anymore Athearns. If the new ones do run quietly I would definetly be willing to consider them. [:D]

O.K, I know that some of you might reply and with: "Tony, check out the Genesis units!" Well, I did check out one. A good friend of mine bought an SD70 (or 75?) MAC in the EMD "demo" scheme. Beautiful looking unit.

I was shocked when he ran it around his layout for me. I was expecting Stewart Hobbies performance. Instead I hear: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" as she cruised around at about 40 scale mph. Sounded like my 1979 Athearn Milwaukee Road SD9 (which I may be selling if I get a Proto SD7 in Milwuakee colors) I hope that this "Growling MAC" was just a "fluke" or "lemon" as every company has one sneak through the production line.

Appreciate your feedback!

Peace!

[CP5415]

Antonio, I have one.
It has a growl but not as noisy as the older Athearn units I have.
As said above though, it is a better looking unit as well. The paint & lettering is better & the grab irons are a much needed inprovement.

Gordon

[AntonioFP45]

Thank you CP5415.

It may sound like I'm nitpicking too much, but as stated on my other posts I'm very interested with installing "DCC/Sound" in my favorite units. However, I'm concerned that the "growl" will actually be quite distracting.

Don Gibson posted some good tips regarding Athearns being requipped with Proto Power West systems. I am taking this route on some of the Athearns I have.

[CP5415]

Antonio, I could video tape the locomotive in question & ship it to you via the WWW so that you can hear for yourself? It won't take long & I could probably post it to my Yahoo group so that anyone else can determine if the "growl" is any better.

Gordon

[darth9x9]

The new Athearn SD40s are much quieter that the old ones but not as quiet as an Atlas or LL2Pk unit. I doubt you will hear much of the growl in a newer unit with a sound decoder installed.

BC