As pointed out earlier, zooming in you can see the tell-tale film around the decal number, but whoever did the side stripes did a fine careful job, and in fact the paint quality looks finer on the body than on the cab and roof. Makes me wonder if this could be a hybrid -- factory paint up to the cab, but someone repainted the cab entirely for the new number. That could also explain the red roof.
Dave Nelson
You guys are all awesome. Thanks for the positive feedback. I think you have solved my general inquiry. It is Athearn SD40-2 and a custom paint job. Why I stated it as SD40-2W.... a brain fart.
Link to picture of loco's underside:
http://www.vegas4boc.com/images2015/CN5321b.jpg
Now that I am looking on my tablet instead of my cell phone, definitely Athearn BB SD40-2.
And, looks to be a custom paint job. So it could have been any unit prior, so getting a manufacturer model number might not be possible....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I shall "pile on" regarding that being a good ol' Uncle Irv SD40-2. It looks like it is one of their earlier versions due to the "locking" nubs on the side of the shell.
That's an Athearn blue box SD40-2. You can tell pretty easily from the design of the cast fuel tank, the distinctive mounting pins along the sill, and the typical Athearn blue box stanchions/handrails (plus lots of other little details for other keen-eyed folks).
It does look like a custom paint job. Athearn did release CN painted blue box SD40-2s along the line, but don't know about that number, and they had the cab roof more correctly painted black on any I've seen. There also appears to be a slight haze around the cab side numbers from decal film.
As ricktrains4824 pointed out, the loco you have is just a straight, generic SD40-2, not an SD40-2W. The prototype 5321 is an SD40-2W, but there are a ton of differences (from the obvious CN-style safety cab to different steps, snow shields, etc.) from the model shown.
-Tim
First off - Vegas4trains!
Based on the pic, I would say that is a standard SD40-2, not a SD40-2W. (A 2W would be a different cab and nose.)
As far as manufacturer, if you supply a underside shot, of bottom of frame and underside of trucks and wheel sets, we could say for sure who made it. (Or at least confirm/reject as possible certain manufacturers, based on features.)
It could be an athearn unit, or someone else, as many made (and still make) HO SD40-2 units.
I have recently come to acquire a powered CN roadnumber 5321. It has no identification on the underside, but appears to maybe Athearn?
I have done my normal investigation but can not find any CN #5321 for a SD40-2W made by typical MFG's, such as Athearn, Atlas, Kato, Bachmann, Intermountain, etc...
I guess it could possibly be a custom paint job, but wanted to see if any of you out there may know who made this and what is the MFG P/N that I can add to my inventory software records. Thanks in advance.