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First Release Of Intermountain SD40-2s!

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  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
First Release Of Intermountain SD40-2s!
Posted by SooLine720 on Friday, April 11, 2014 7:55 PM

They are shipping right now, in the GATX, IC&E, and MEC! I plan to get a couple of the IC&E versions with Loksound. Anyone else going to get one?

 

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 145 posts
Posted by parts323 on Friday, April 11, 2014 8:29 PM

I will pass on Intermountain. I personally think that they make absolutely beautiful locomotives, that do not pull worth a dam. I purchased a Norfolk Southern Pennsylvania Heritage ES44AC unit last year, and was extremely disappointed with the pulling power of the locomotive. The locomotve arrived with (2) broken hand rails out of the box and when I hooked it up to about (12) freight cars, after breaking it in, it had trouble pulling the cars on straight and level track. I complained to Intermountain, and they supplied me with new hand rails, but did not satisfy me on the pulling power of the locomotive. I have been a fan of Broadway Limited for years, and can not wait for them to release the Norfolk Southern ES44AC Heritage units with smoke next year. Again this is just my opinion, but I expect alot more from a $190.00 locomotive.

  • Member since
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  • From: Eau Claire, WI
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Posted by Lord Atmo on Friday, April 11, 2014 11:57 PM

aw man. that's unfortunate. I'm holding out for when the CNW ones get released. But I'm hopeful that it can pull! It won't be the only unit in the consist, so maybe it should lead... 

Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.

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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Saturday, April 12, 2014 1:20 AM

I'm up to 5 intermountain F units(2 more pre ordered), I'm considering picking up a pair of IM SD40-2s in the BN roadname.(N scale)

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

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    May 2012
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Posted by angelob6660 on Saturday, April 12, 2014 9:25 AM

I was planning to buy the new Conrail locomotives. But the model has a small window by the cab windows on the left which Conrail never had. Sorry to say that I'm going to pass on them.

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
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  • From: Jersey City
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Posted by steemtrayn on Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:36 AM

Small window? Are you sure that"s not the rear view mirror?

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
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Posted by jrbernier on Sunday, April 13, 2014 8:30 AM

  That window is the wind deflector....

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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    August 2003
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Posted by crjr on Monday, April 14, 2014 5:31 AM

...I think that's the mirror

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Posted by GDRMCo on Monday, April 14, 2014 5:54 AM
It's the mirror, they've just announced a second run of the N scale version that includes artwork of the Conrail SD40-2s that have the correct Flexicoils instead of the HTC bogie so it's a matter of waiting and seeing if they do the same for HO.

ML

  • Member since
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  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
Posted by SooLine720 on Monday, April 14, 2014 3:30 PM

parts323

I will pass on Intermountain. I personally think that they make absolutely beautiful locomotives, that do not pull worth a dam. I purchased a Norfolk Southern Pennsylvania Heritage ES44AC unit last year, and was extremely disappointed with the pulling power of the locomotive. The locomotve arrived with (2) broken hand rails out of the box and when I hooked it up to about (12) freight cars, after breaking it in, it had trouble pulling the cars on straight and level track. I complained to Intermountain, and they supplied me with new hand rails, but did not satisfy me on the pulling power of the locomotive. I have been a fan of Broadway Limited for years, and can not wait for them to release the Norfolk Southern ES44AC Heritage units with smoke next year. Again this is just my opinion, but I expect alot more from a $190.00 locomotive.

 

Despite these flaws, I'm still going to get the locomotives. No one seems to be getting the IC&E right either, including BLI. Athearn has the DM&E SD40-2s, but I have two and they are not too detailed. Not to mention Intermountain will have Loksound in these, my favorite sound decoder. Pulling power doesn't bother me, I don't run trains with more than 15 cars. Also, these locomotives come with ditch lights and LED lighting installed.

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Victor Harbor, South Australia
  • 362 posts
Posted by alexstan on Monday, April 14, 2014 10:29 PM
They certainly do look nice but I will be waiting for more user reviews..

Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA

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Posted by tallcapt on Thursday, April 17, 2014 6:50 AM

I'm picking up a CSX ho unit with loksound. I really like the IM Gevos, esp the latest releases with loksound, and I hope the sd40-2s will be similar. I have 2% grades throughout my layout, run multiple units with 25 car trains and don't have problems. If I ran them alone (other than the occasional yard job), I'd probably try to add some weight. Now if they'd just fix those fragile handrails...

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
Posted by SooLine720 on Thursday, April 17, 2014 7:44 PM

I just ordered one and I will try to post pictures of it on the forum when it arrives. Anyone have one yet?

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
  • 496 posts
Posted by crhostler61 on Thursday, April 17, 2014 7:59 PM

Everything looks correct on the IM illustration except the rear plow. Most CR SD40-2's had no rear snow plow, a few had the shallow weed cutter type.

Funny...the wind deflector/backup mirror is a bit deceptive and could pass for a small window.

I may consider a Conrail in DC if the price is right.

Mark H

 

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

  • Member since
    March 2004
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Posted by garr on Friday, April 18, 2014 4:56 PM

Models look nice, however is there not a representation of the inboard traction motors on the axles closest to the fuel tanks? If not, that would eliminate them from consideration for me.

Hopefully Athearn will Genesis the SD line like they did the GP line in the not too distant future.

 

Jay

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
Posted by SooLine720 on Saturday, April 19, 2014 9:59 AM

garr

Models look nice, however is there not a representation of the inboard traction motors on the axles closest to the fuel tanks? If not, that would eliminate them from consideration for me.

Hopefully Athearn will Genesis the SD line like they did the GP line in the not too distant future.

 

Jay

 

Doesn't look like that is present, but I still purchased this locomotive because no one is making this locomotive in the near future, except for BLI, but their locomotive isnt cutting it either.

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: Iowa
  • 90 posts
Posted by ChadMichaels on Sunday, April 20, 2014 2:01 AM
I've also ordered all 4 IC&E units, two with sound two with out. Looking forward to getting mine here shortly.

HO Scale modeler of Union Pacific and Iowa Chicago and Eastern Railroads.

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
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Posted by SooLine720 on Saturday, May 3, 2014 11:02 AM

In case anyone wants to know, here is the IC&E SD40-2, sorry it took so long, I was busy.

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 19 posts
Posted by Zumf on Monday, May 5, 2014 2:02 PM
After seeing a couple of video reviews and pictures I have ordered one of these. In the initial pictures the blue looked too light, but the more recent photos I've seen look spot on. I've painted a few dm&e units myself using the tru color paint, and this looks like it might be the same. I know the tru color paint colors for the dm&e/ic&e were based on actual paint from the railroad. I'll have to compare this one to the ones I painted when I get it.
  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 19 posts
Posted by Zumf on Friday, May 9, 2014 10:45 AM

So I received one today, and am pretty happy with it. As far as paint color goes, the blue is very close to the actual blue used by the DM&E/IC&E. The yellow is a bit off, but still looks good.

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