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[quote user="riogrande5761"] From what I've read, the IMR SD40-2's haven't met the ultimage SD40-2 criteria either. IMR is still struggling to establish a quality line of HO engines.  I agree, it may take Athearn to produce Genesis SD40-2's before you see the "last word" in that diesel in HO. <div style="clear:both;"> </div> [/quote] So what you are saying the "ultimate" SD40-2 in your mind will be equipped with lightbulbs, Soundtrax Tsunami sound that you can barely hear and McHenry couplers?  I'll pass on that thanks.  As you can tell I am less than impressed with Athearn Genesis offerings of late (I bought the most recent run of B&M GP7s with HEP).  They were great, except for the long list of things I had to do to the locomotive to get it to run, to include completely re-assembling the trucks and gluing in all of the small detail parts that had no evidence of glue on them and were floating around in the box.  Oh and I forgot to mention the plastic clips they use to attach the wires to the decoder.   I also own a SD70ace from Athearn Genesis it did not have these problems.  I bought it without a decoder because of the above mentioned poor sound performance. Scaletrains.com is releasing SD40-2s with road specific details.  They have already announced their second run.  I will let you know how they run, if they come as a kit you have to assemble in from loose parts floating in the box, etc.  Also Scaletrains.com is producing ES44 Tier 4 GEVOs, so I guess that would make 7 manufacturers. FWIW 2 out of 3 of my Intermountain SD40-2s run flawlessly.  My third one may have a warped truck frame, that Intermountain has offered to replace for free (they have offered to let me fix it myself or send it back).  As far as MTH customer support goes, I have never had an issue with getting a hold of them for issues with my O gauge equipment.  They have been responsive to both my email and phone inquiries.  As to the manufacturers all making the same things, well they produce what sells.  It makes good business sense.  Also the research on the locomotives is super easy.  They can go directly to Progress Rail (EMD) or GE for locomotive drawings.  They can stand next to the tracks anywhere in the US and snap a current photo of any road number locomotive. I want an EMD SD18 in Chessie System paint.  I'm not holding my breath on that one (although it is a valid paint scheme for several railroads and leasing companies).   There just were not all that many produced to begin with.
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