SD40-2...Come on Kato.....Atlas....Anyone?

[Anonymous]

Hi All!!!

I thought I would beat my spoon against the table and chant for more.. again!!! The last time I checked, the SD40-2 was a 'Staple' in the diet of most North American Railroads. Yet we only have one company that makes a good, accurate model...out of god knows how many their are in America. Kato has been non-commital on when they are going to do another run(I got that from the horses mouth!!). Right now you are probably thinking Athearn..right!! Well, even though they make an 'Average' model of the SD40-2, and with a bit of detailing and tweaking you could bring it up to scratch...there is of course still that Mechanism!

Come on Guy's... where has the competion gone? The model companies today seem to be scared to bring out the same model as another's, incase they step on someones toes!! At least it would give modelers more choice. I know a lot of you are 'champing at the bit'to get other models covered as well and have been waiting a long time as well for it to happen...but let's get the basic's right first!! Bring on the SD40-2!!

Anyone have any thought's or am I just wasting my time?????

[csxns]

Iam with you Terry.Like to see a Proto2000 SD40-2.

[Anonymous]

Better yet--let's se an Atlas SD40-2

[nfmisso]

Terry;

Last time I looked SD40-2 are being bumped. The UP is rebuilding some into SD38-2 for yard service. The BNSF has placed speed restrictions on them. Nowadays they are rarely used for coal or stack trains. They have been replaced by Dash 9's, AC4400's, SD70's, SD75's and SD70MAC's.

The upgraded Athearn is a superior model, and it's improved drivetrain is impressive.

Nigel

[Anonymous]

Nigel:

the problem that I have with the Athearn blue box locos is that they don't run as well on DCC.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Although I don't have any of the new ones, some of my friends suggest the upgraded Athearn SD40-2s are comparable to Kato in terms of performance. Not only that, Athearn offers the SD40-2 in a number of detail configurations. Then there's the fact that Kato's crispness and detailing doesn't quite get to the level of Athearn. Finally, Kato's handrails have always bothered me and prevented me from buying their models. I think if you were to give the new improved Athearn SD40-2 a try, you might be surprised. Frankly, I think the SD40-2 has been done to death and if another diesel is to be produced, I'd rather see a 4 axle Dash 7 GE or a six axle Dash 8 GE.

RC